HVAC Products That Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Many people only know that the HVAC functions to regulate the temperature in their home, making it colder or hotter according to the season and preference. Little do people know this system can also be a powerful tool for improving indoor air quality. Many HVAC products improve your indoor air quality by filtering antigens and other harmful microorganisms, balancing the humidity level, and more. Ultimately, better air quality

Curious about which HVAC products improve your indoor air quality? Read on as we uncover the solutions designed to transform the air in your home.

 

Understanding Indoor Air Quality

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Before discussing HVAC products that improve your indoor air quality, we should first understand what Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is. IAQ refers to the air quality within your home, workplace, or other buildings. IAQ tells you how clean and healthy the air is inside those closed-off environments.

The Impact of Poor Indoor Air Quality

When the air inside is badly filled with dust, mold, chemicals, and other harmful particles, you and your family can feel irritation, from minor to major, to the eyes, nose, and throat. For your sensitive loved ones, it can also aggravate or even worsen their symptoms of allergy and asthma. In the longer run, like years after repeated exposure, other detrimental health impacts can happen, such as chronic respiratory diseases, heart diseases, or even cancer. 

Beyond physical health, poor IAQ can also impact mental well-being through stuffy, polluted air and sometimes unpleasant odors that can make you feel uncomfortable or even irritated, leaving you feeling stressed or unfocused. Lastly, even though it may start as a harmless discoloration here and there, moisture issues caused by mold can lead to structural damage that may be dangerous to you and your family. 

 

Essential HVAC Products to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Air Purifiers

For individuals with allergies or asthma, the most harmful particles they can breathe, like allergens (mold spores, pet dander, and many more), viruses, or bacteria–are all so tiny that air filters can’t do anything about them. Air purifiers, on the other hand, are designed to tackle these microscopic airborne particles and pollutants by filtering them and circulating cleaner air throughout your home. As a bonus, they also help eliminate unpleasant odors, making your living space not just healthier but more comfortable, too.

Air purifiers come in two main types to suit your needs. It can be a standalone unit placed in any specific room you spend most of your time in, like the bedroom or living room, or integrated into the HVAC system to protect your whole house. Whichever option you go for, it’s a smart step toward creating a healthier environment for you and your loved ones. After all, clean air means better health and peace of mind.

 

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters

HEPA filters have become increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, as one of the most effective HVAC products that improve your indoor air quality. What sets them apart is the tightly woven fibers designed to catch all those harmful particles, leaving almost nothing back in the air. The option is to get them in standalone air purifiers or as add-ons to your HVAC. 

But are they really ‘that’ effective? Well, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of every airborne particle we mentioned before, even the smallest one with a size of 0.3 microns. That’s why they’re considered very effective solutions for people with respiratory conditions or who simply want to prioritize their health. 

 

Ventilation Systems

Many homes are often built with tight envelopes to keep out air leaks and pollution. While that’s great for energy efficiency, it can sometimes mean poor ventilation. That’s where ventilation systems are needed the most–even though they are the most traditional ones out of all the rest of HVAC products that improve your indoor quality, still without them, your IAQ would never be as good. 

By swapping stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, ventilation systems help remove contaminants and leave your home feeling fresh—literally giving you a breath of fresh air. These days, there are modern options you can choose from, like energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), which save energy and balance humidity while improving your indoor circulation. A win-win solution for your household, indeed. 

 

Humidity Control Solutions

Dehumidifiers

If you live in a humid area like Pennsylvania, you’ve probably dealt with the downside of too much moisture in the air—things like mold growth, musty odors, and even damage to your home’s structure or furniture. Not to mention, that sticky, damp feeling is anything but comfortable. That is why a dehumidifier, which works by pulling excess moisture out of your indoor air, is a must-have item from our list of HVAC products that improve your indoor air quality. 

 

Humidifiers

On the other hand, if you’re in a drier climate or dealing with winter air, a humidifier–as opposed to a dehumidifier–is your go-to solution, adding just the right amount of moisture back into the air. HVAC systems can dry out the air in your home even more, leaving you with cracked skin, irritated sinuses, and maybe even a sore throat. Plus, overly dry air can damage wooden furniture or floors, causing them to warp over time. 

 

 

Smart Thermostats and IAQ Monitoring

Smart Thermostats

As the name implies, these smart devices let you monitor and control your HVAC system to optimize energy use. For example, you can set smart thermostats to switch to a ‘low-energy’ mode while you’re asleep or away, helping you save on energy bills. Some are even smarter equipped with air quality sensors that can monitor your indoor air quality and automatically adjust settings based on factors like humidity or allergens to ensure your indoor air stays fresh and healthy. 

IAQ Monitors

IAQ monitors work by keeping tabs on the air you breathe at home, nonstop, through factors like humidity, temperature, and levels of pollutants such as carbon dioxide and other fine particulate matter. Some advanced models even track allergens, which is extremely useful for households with allergic members. And, the best part? This device can be connected to your smartphone, giving you real-time updates anywhere, anytime.  

Additional Tips to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Regular HVAC Maintenance

One of the easiest yet very impactful ways to improve your indoor air quality is through regular HVAC service. Over time, your HVAC can collect debris, dust, and other harmful particles and eventually circulate throughout your home. Scheduling professional maintenance helps tackle this by ensuring filters are replaced, ducts are cleaned, and potential issues like mold or leaks are addressed. It’s truly a small effort but goes a long way in keeping your home’s air fresh, clean, and healthy for you and your family.

Houseplants and Natural Solutions

These two solutions aren’t just great for décor —they’re also natural air purifiers that can help improve your indoor air quality. Plants like bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, and dragon tree are known for their ability to reduce pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Plus, these simple, natural steps improve your indoor air quality and create a healthier and more relaxing living space—proof that nature does know best most of the time!

Keeping Your Home Clean

Last but not least, it’s a no-brainer that a clean home equals better IAQ. That’s why your cleaning to-do lists should include vacuuming carpets and rugs, dusting with microfiber cloths, and frequently washing bedding and other linens. Also, don’t forget hidden spots like ceiling fans, air vents, and behind furniture that can trap dirt and impact your IAQ. When you make a habit out of these activities, you’ll ensure your family gets the best air possible. 

End Note 

Your home should be your sanctuary, starting with the air you and your family breathe. From air purifiers to humidity control solutions and beyond, there are many HVAC products that improve your indoor air quality and make your space healthier and more comfortable.

Not sure where to start? Give Johnson’s HVAC a call, and we’ll help you find the perfect solutions to transform your home’s air quality.