Indoor air quality (also known as IAQ) has become a major public health concern. It is essential for comfort and general health. Indeed, many undesirable substances are concentrated in the homes, which are often insufficiently ventilated.
So, does this mean that air conditioning is an effective solution for improving indoor air quality?
commonest pollutants in indoor air
Usually, the following substances can trigger respiratory allergies and more serious diseases:
- Damp, which encourages the growth of mold.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) which causes headaches and breathing difficulties.
- Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs: benzene, formaldehyde, etc) are produced by the various materials used in a dwelling (carpets, paint, glue, etc), furniture, cleaning and decoration products, and tobacco.
They can cause allergies, rhinitis, and even cancers. Airwell spends 80% of the time indoors, and an adult breathes 12,000 liters of air and a child 24,000 liters of air per day; this shows how important indoor air quality is!
How can air quality be improved?
- Regular airing of enclosed spaces is a good habit, which helps to renew indoor air and reduce concentrations of pollutants.
- Have the ventilation, air conditioning, and heating equipment regularly serviced by a professional.
- Clean the air vents regularly.
- Check that air inlets and outlets are not obstructed.
- Do not smoke in the house.
- Watch for signs of dampness to prevent the growth of mold, and always air out after a shower or bath.
- Avoid excessive use of cleaning products and/or use organic cleaning products.
- Ventilate even more when purchasing new furniture and during DIY activities that require the use of glue, wax, paint, etc.
- Opt for an air-conditioning/heating unit with quality filtration.
How can air conditioning improve air quality?
Filtration performance will be increased and the air quality improved by the addition of negative ions
If equipped with quality filtration, the air conditioner can “clean” the indoor air by filtering out dust, pollen, odors, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants.
In addition, it will prevent the reproduction of bacteria, viruses, and microbes and thus ensure a constant supply of clean air.
If it is equipped with an ionizer, filtration performance will be increased and the air quality improved by the addition of negative ions. To maintain good air quality, the air conditioner’s filtration system must be cleaned regularly (at least once a year) and thoroughly by a professional.
Which product to choose?
Indoor air contains positively and negatively charged particles. These are known as positive and negative ions. Negative ions are beneficial for well-being and improve mood energy levels and the quality of sleep. They make users feel peaceful and at ease. On the other hand, positive ions in the air tend to make us feel stressed, tired, and tense.
Airwell has created the Harmonia solution, an air conditioner with a filtration system and ionizer. This system helps to reproduce beneficial conditions inside the home. In addition, the Harmonia reversible air conditioner provides three levels of filtration:
- A pre-filtering system that traps most dust.
- An inert electrostatic filter that stops fine dust and other particles.
- An activated-carbon deodorizing filter, which removes odors, grease, and smoke.
