What is air quality?

Air quality is the healthiness of the air that we have available to breathe.  The better the air quality, the better the air we breathe for our health.  Unfortunately, no home is immune to indoor air quality problems.  New homes tend to have higher concentrations of chemicals (especially from building materials and compounds, carpet and upholstery).  Older homes can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew.  All homes, no matter how clean they appear, are contaminated with dirt and dust. Viruses, bacteria, mold spores, pollen, skin flakes and animal dander can circulate throughout the air in a home constantly.  Even paints, glues, cleansers, perfume and tobacco smoke adversely affect your home’s air quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that indoor air can be as much as five times more polluted than outdoor air, and that 96%* of the homes they tested had at least one air quality problem. 

• 86% had high levels of particles and bioaerosols like dust, pollen and viruses

• 71% were filled with odors and potentially harmful chemicals and gases (called Volatile Organic Compounds – formaldehyde, cigarette smoke, radon, household cleaners, even perfumes)

• 46% had problems with temperature and humidity

Health hazards from indoor air pollutants are broadly recognized as one of today’s top environmental hazards, and a subject of ever-increasing importance. 

AQS professionals are specially trained and dedicated to assisting homeowners in establishing air quality problems and providing products and services to eliminate these problems. To learn about products further or to get tips on how you can improve your home’s air quality, please refer to specific items on our website.   To speak to an AQS representative by phone or at your home during your complimentary air quality analysis, please contact us at our office at (952) 928-3838.

                                                                                                                                         *Source:  AirAdvice 2004 field study – 10,254 test

Why is air quality important?

Today, as people spend more time indoors, safety, comfort and the quality of the air inside their homes has become increasingly important.  Poor air quality can lead to

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that 50% of illnesses are either caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality.

Additionally, poor air quality can affect how you feel.  Humidity inside your home has the same impacts on your comfort as humidity outside.  Too much moisture can make you feel sluggish, weak and even sick, and create a breeding ground for mold, mildew, dust mites and bacteria.  Too little humidity can leave you feeling cold and achy, cause skin irritation and respiratory problems, and annoying static shocks.

The flow of air is also a factor.  If it isn’t moving freely from room to room, your home can feel stuffy or stale.  This also causes unpleasant odors to linger.  Newer homes are especially prone to this problem as tighter sealing and higher insulating is done during the building process to conserve energy for the homeowner during use of the new home.  Contaminates then have little or no way to escape.

Fortunately, AQS can improve home environments up to 99%.  Products that remove and kill these potentially harmful airborne pollutants include air purifiers and cleaners, UV germicidal lamps, fresh air ventilators, and humidifiers.  These products can work individually to improve specific air quality issues, or together for optimum overall improvement.  Click on these products to learn how they specifically address your air quality concerns.

To speak to an AQS representative either by phone or in person at your home for a complimentary air quality analysis, please contact us at (952)928-3838.

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Homeowner tips on improving air quality: 

• Everyday household products – including many cleaning products – can fill the air with toxic chemicals.  Create a healthier home by using chemical-containing products only when absolutely necessary, and storing and disposing of them safely.  An air purification system can also remove and destroy chemical vapors and odors in every room.

• Take special precaution when operating fuel-burning appliances to avoid leakage.

• Reduce the potential for buildup of allergy-causing pollutants by keeping your house clean.

• Clean water-damaged carpets and materials, or consider replacement.

• Consider a ventilation system to increase air circulation inside and add a healthy dose of fresh air.  Allow fresh outside air into your home when possible.

• When adjusting clocks, change batteries in smoke alarms, radon and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Know and maintain proper humidity levels in your home by installing a humidifier or dehumidifier (as applies to a home’s individual need) and running the bath ventilation fan for about 30 minutes while bathing or showering.

• Maintain your heating and cooling system by having the licensed HVAC professionals at AQS do semi-annual or annual inspections and tunings. 

• Change or clean air filters per manufacturer recommendations.

• Consider having your heating/cooling systems divided into zones, which will divide your home into several comfort areas and heat or cool based on your needs.  This would allow you to change temperature in one area without affecting other areas.  It should also enhance utility savings.

• Seal air leaks around your home to help you get the full performance out of insulation.  The biggest gaps usually occur in the attic and basement.

• Take steps to control dust mites, as they are one of the most common allergy and asthma symptom triggers.  Cleaning surfaces and washing linens regularly can go a long way toward controlling these irritants.  Another option is to filter them out of your home with an air cleaner.

• Keep clutter away from all vents.

• Bathe pets and keep pet beds and lItter boxes away from vents.

• Run your heating and cooling system blower when vacuuming and dusting to keep airborne particulates from settling.

• During seasons when you are opening windows for fresh air, keep the window screens washed and clean.

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1. RELIABILTY – Chances are, your heating and cooling system is the most expensive equipment you will purchase for your home.  That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.
2. EFFICIENCY – A new ENERGY STAR system, when properly installed sized and installed, can lower your annual heating and cooling costs.  Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates and tax credits.  Call AQS for details.
3. QUIET OPERATION – The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal!  Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels.  Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.
4. CONSISTENT TEMPERATURES – With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting.  Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control. 
5. BALANCED HUMIDITY – To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity.  You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage system and dehumidifier.
6. PROPER AIRFLOW – A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off.  This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation.  For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.
7. HEALTHY AIR – One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler.  That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

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AQS recommends products from the following manufacturers

Lennox, Bryant, Aprilaire, Breatheclean, Mitsubishi, Renewaire,

Goodman, Venmar, Honeywell, Unico, Reznor.