Indoor Ventilation

Main Factors That Influence Indoor Air Quality

Everyone knows that pollution is a bad thing, but often the term pollution is used in reference to big cities and the outdoor environment. However, there is an equally important concern: indoor air pollution.

Indoor air quality and pollution

According to the CDC, research over the last few years has established that indoor air can be more seriously contaminated compared to the outdoor air even in the biggest cities. Also, as noted by the CDC, because people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors, the health risk of exposure to air pollution while indoors may exceed the risks associated with outdoor pollution.

Along the same line, the World Health Organization has estimated that about 4.3 million people globally die every year as a result of indoor air pollution. It for this reason that John Bower, the founder of Healthy House Institute, argued that walking into a building today can sometimes be likened to putting your head into a plastic bag that is full poisonous fumes.

How basements contribute to poor indoor air quality

In the United States, basement are one of the major causes of indoor pollution. This is because many basements are often damp and dirty. High moisture in basements causes the growth of mold. As the mold grows, it pollutes the air through the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

VOCs and mold spores are associated with health issues such as allergies and respiratory problems. The musty odors that are associated with mold are also uncomfortable. Also, a high level of humidity in basements makes it possible for air to carry many other types of harmful pollutants.

The connection between basements and your home’s indoor air quality is due to the fact that about 50% of the air you breathe on the first floor circulates through the basement. Therefore, if the air in the basement is polluted due to mold and other harmful compounds, there is a high chance that your indoor air quality will be poor.

Basement waterproofing as a solution to indoor air pollution

Basement waterproofing involves addressing the issues that make basements wet to prevent the growth of mold and eliminate the basement’s clamminess. The process helps improve indoor air quality in the following ways:

• Keeping the basement dry – Basement waterproofing techniques such as sealing foundation wall cracks and improving the drainage around a basement help keep away water and moisture. This keeps the basement dry and prevents dampness and other harmful effects of high humidity on indoor air.
• Preventing the growth of mold – Mold thrives in wet or humid conditions. Therefore, if you keep your basement dry through waterproofing, you make the space unconducive for mold to grow.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Ventilation System Today! 866-822-7328

Indoor Air Quality: 4 Benefits of a Good Ventilation System

Ventilation is the process of intentionally introducing outdoor air into spaces such as houses or rooms while removing stale air. The aim of ventilation is to regulate indoor air quality by displacing and diluting indoor pollutants. A good ventilation system should therefore be able to remove or dilute any indoor pollutants and distribute fresh air in your house.

Ventilation systems also play numerous roles that improve the quality of indoor air. Below are four benefits of a good ventilation system.

1. Controls air impurities

It is important for every home or building to have good circulation of indoor air in order to constantly get a supply of fresh air. A constant supply of fresh air into a building reduces the risk of indoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 4.3 million people across the world die annually as a result of poor indoor air quality.

A good ventilation system helps improve indoor air quality by expelling different types of pollutants including bacteria, moisture, musty odors and dust.

2. Stops condensation

Another benefit of a good ventilation system is that it stops condensation in any indoor space. Condensation occurs as a result of a buildup of moisture. The moisture condenses on various sources to form water droplets.

Condensation can lead to the growth of mold on various surfaces including drywalls, walls and floors. Another problem that stems from condensation is wood decay, which occurs when wooden items have a moisture content that exceeds 20%.

By removing moisture, a ventilation system helps stop problems such as condensation and growth of mold, thus improving indoor air quality.

3. Regulates air

Unless you have installed a good ventilation system, you are not able to control the movement of air in your home. Too much cold air coming in may mean high energy costs due to heating. A good ventilation system controls the amount of air that enters a building and ensures that your indoor air is of the right quality and has the right temperature.

4. Controls air temperature

The ability to control air temperature is a notable benefit of a good ventilation system. Room temperatures change due to factors such as weather, the location of the room, the number and size of windows, and the number of people in a room.

A good ventilation system adjusts the temperature accordingly so that your indoor space does not become hot and stuffy when there are many people or when the incoming air becomes hotter.

Contact the Professionals at EZ Breathe Ventilation System Today! 866-822-7328