A home’s HVAC system does more than keep you comfortable. It also helps control humidity and removes odors. Choosing the right system depends on the climate where you live and your goals for energy efficiency.
Routine maintenance helps keep your system running at peak efficiency. This includes changing the filter regularly. Contact HVAC Lexington KY now!
During the winter, heating systems keep people cozy and comfortable. They also have the additional benefit of improving indoor air quality. In fact, indoor air quality is a critical component of a healthy environment. Poor air quality can lead to everything from mild symptoms like headaches and trouble sleeping to more serious health issues. HVAC systems directly influence indoor air quality and, as such, it’s important to understand how they work and how they can affect your home.
The core of any HVAC system is its filtration and ventilation components. These pull fresh air in from outside, filter out pollutants and excess moisture, and then circulate it throughout a home or commercial building. They can also remove stale air, expelling it out through vents and replacing it with fresh, conditioned air.
Once the air is clean and at the right temperature, it’s distributed via an air handler or ductwork, depending on the type of system in use. Ductless systems are another option, especially for homes that can’t accommodate ductwork or want more control over their air distribution.
A programmable thermostat controls when and how the HVAC system operates. It signals the other components of the system when it’s time to heat up or cool down. Once that happens, the system works to meet its goal. Thermostats can be programmed to run at different times of the day or to adjust according to a homeowner’s schedule.
Most people associate HVAC with air conditioning, which is a necessary service during warmer months. However, there are many other services that an HVAC system can provide. It can help regulate indoor temperatures, improve indoor air quality, and protect sensitive equipment like data centers.
An HVAC professional can advise on the best system for your needs, including options for energy efficiency, indoor air quality and disaster preparedness. They can also provide routine maintenance to keep the system running smoothly and efficiently. This includes changing the air filter, cleaning ducts, and checking for leaks. With regular maintenance and an investment in a high-efficiency HVAC system, you can be sure to enjoy optimum comfort and peace of mind in your home or business.
Cooling
Cooling HVAC systems keep indoor temperatures comfortable and stable throughout the summer, and this is a crucial component of human comfort. Air conditioning units, such as central ACs, window ACs, and ductless mini-splits, work to cool the air and remove excess humidity. These units are typically powered by electricity, and they use refrigerant to absorb and transport heat. They also include fans to circulate cooled air and a thermostat to manage temperature settings.
Besides heating and cooling, HVAC systems can also help maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). IAQ is the level of pollutants in an environment, including tobacco smoke, cleaning chemicals, and mold. Poor IAQ can cause irritation and lead to health problems, such as allergies and asthma. HVAC systems can contribute to good IAQ by keeping pollutants and contaminants away from indoor spaces, and this includes addressing problems such as dirty air filters and leaky ductwork.
To prevent pollutants from entering your home, HVAC systems usually have a filter that traps dust, dirt, and other contaminates and then expels them outdoors through exhaust outlets. These filters are often recommended to be changed every 90 days. HVAC systems that also offer ventilation functions, such as energy recovery ventilators, can boost your IAQ by ensuring that the air you breathe is fresh and clean.
Depending on your climate and your home, there are many HVAC options to choose from. For example, if you have short, hot summers and your home doesn’t have ductwork, a ductless mini-split system would be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you have a large house and need central AC, a traditional system is your best bet.
Ventilation
In order to create an acceptable indoor environment with regards to air quality, ventilation systems have the task of transporting outside air into buildings and distributing it within. The main reason for this is to dilute contaminants that have been generated inside buildings, and to keep them at levels that do not negatively affect the health of people. The aim is to do this with minimal energy consumption, but it is also important to achieve a good air distribution pattern and ensure that no pollutants are transported from one room to another.
Ventilation can be done either naturally or mechanically. Natural ventilation relies on gaps and cracks in the building structure as well as opening and closing of doors to bring in fresh air. However, modern construction is creating buildings that are much more tightly sealed which makes mechanical ventilation a vital part of the HVAC system in homes and commercial spaces.
In mechanical ventilation, the outdoor air is brought into the HVAC system through air returns and ducts that are connected to an air handling unit. The air is then conditioned, and then distributed through the building with the help of blower fans. The system also includes air filters to remove particles from the incoming air before it is conditioned. The conditioned air is then vented out through vents and registers in walls, floors and ceilings.
The term HVAC can be a little confusing because it encompasses so many different products and features that are designed to optimize your home’s comfort and improve its indoor air quality. These include heating and cooling equipment like furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps as well as ductwork, thermostats and other home comfort controls. It also includes indoor air quality (IAQ) products like air cleaners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and filtration systems that are designed to remove allergy-aggravating contaminants from your home’s air. The technology behind these systems is complex, but the benefits can be significant for homeowners and businesses. The right system can be the key to a comfortable, healthy and productive workplace or living space.
Indoor Air Quality
Studies have shown that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Despite this fact, many buildings are not properly ventilated and are often full of a variety of pollutants. Some of these pollutants may be harmful to human health. Some symptoms of poor indoor air quality include a musty smell, dry or itchy skin, nasal and sinus irritation, asthma and fatigue. Others can cause more serious ailments, such as bronchitis, emphysema and even lung cancer.
Some of the most common sources of pollutants in buildings and apartments include environmental tobacco smoke; asbestos from insulating and fire-retardant building materials; lead paint; formaldehyde from pressed wood products; cleaning chemicals, activities and equipment; mold and mildew from wet or water-damaged surfaces; and pesticides. Many of these sources can be eliminated or controlled through source control, increased ventilation and the use of air cleaning devices.
In addition, many pollutants can be reduced by limiting the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are a significant source of indoor air pollution. A number of government and voluntary programs exist to regulate or limit VOC emissions from building and furnishing materials.
Ventilation is one of the most important factors influencing indoor air quality. A low air exchange rate allows virus particles and other pollutants to build up and contribute to health problems. Several techniques can be used to increase ventilation rates, including opening windows and using exhaust fans when cooking or bathing.
A building’s location and weather conditions also affect indoor air quality. Pollen, humidity, and forest fires all contribute to bad indoor air quality, especially in hot climates or during the summer when these conditions are most prevalent.
The air quality of a home can be significantly improved by the use of a HVAC system that is properly sized and operated. In addition, a number of home furnishings and other products are available that can reduce allergens and other contaminants that contribute to poor indoor air quality.
In some cases, an apartment resident can correct a problem by removing a source of pollution, changing an activity or opening a window to increase ventilation; in other cases, the only option is to encourage building management to follow guidance in EPA and NIOSH’s Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers.
