Ross and Witmer 
Does your home have a problem with indoor air quality (IAQ)? If you’re not sure, it’s time to call a qualified HVAC contractor in to find out. Most people know that poor IAQ is bad for their health, causing respiratory problems, but do you know how indoor air quality affects the HVAC system? Poor IAQ can cause problems with the heating and cooling system that affect both your comfort level and your budget.
Since most homes today are tightly sealed against the elements and depend primarily upon the HVAC system for indoor air circulation, about 70 percent of IAQ issues are related to the operation and/or maintenance of that system.
One of the most common sources of IAQ problems is the ductwork, which can collect dirt, dust and particulates like pet dander and mold spores.
How Indoor Air Quality Affects The HVAC System
As contaminated air circulates through ductwork, vital HVAC components can become coated with the dust and debris, significantly reducing system efficiency. Mold spores and bacteria can collect in moist areas, like system coils, where they will proliferate, making system components vulnerable to mold, mildew, fungi and corrosion. These issues will affect your budget in terms of increased energy and repair costs, as well as reduced equipment life span. They will also further degrade IAQ and reduce home comfort as the performance of your system gradually decreases.
Avoiding IAQ issues that affect your health, comfort and bottom line isn’t hard. Regular, professional HVAC maintenance is essential to healthy indoor air. Air purification systems, humidity control and other measures can protect against IAQ problems.
For more information about how indoor air quality affects the HVAC system or what you can do to prevent IAQ problems in your home, contact Ross & Witmer. We’ve been serving the home comfort needs of customers in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union since 1945.