HVAC Basics: What is Indoor Air Quality?
By Anne Fonda with expert review by Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to how polluted (or clean) your indoor air is. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be 2-5x more polluted than the outdoor air. And since the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, paying attention to the quality of the air we breathe is important for our health and to protect our homes.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Common indoor air pollutants
Dust & dirt
Pollen
Mold
Odors & VOCs
Pet dander
Bacteria
How do indoor pollutants impact your health and your home?
- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says that allergens like dust, dirt, pollen, and pet dander can cause a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, eye irritation, and cause asthma flare-ups.
- The EPA says high humidity (60% or above) can allow mold and dust mites to thrive. High humidity can make it harder for some people to breathe, and mold can cause respiratory symptoms and damage your home and belongings.
- Poor ventilation can result in excessive dust, stale air, condensation, buildup of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and mold and mildew growth. These problems can cause headaches, sneezing, congestion, and more.
How can you improve your indoor air quality?
Keep your home air healthier and more comfortable with American Standard. Check out our top
recommendations to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Control pollutants and humidity, and monitor air quality
Cleaner air isn’t just about choosing the right products. Add these other simple steps from the EPA to your daily routine to keep your air healthy.
- Don’t smoke or vape indoors.
- Get a carbon monoxide alarm.
- Clean out mold and dust mites to avoid asthma flare-ups.
- Get a smart thermostat that reads your indoor humidity.
- Remove excess water and moisture to avoid mold growth.
- Consider adding a whole-house dehumidifier if you live in an area that’s humid year-round.
- If you’re cleaning with chemicals, painting, or have new carpeting, open windows and ventilate the space you’re in.
- Have an HVAC professional check up on your HVAC system seasonally to make sure your system is operating safely and efficiently.
Support good indoor air quality with American Standard
Choose American Standard to build out an HVAC system with your indoor air quality in mind. We offer products like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, energy recovery ventilators, whole-home air cleaners, and indoor air quality monitors. Control everything with a smart thermostat and the Home App.
“American Standard offers an array of products that allow homeowners to take a comprehensive approach to pollutant and irritant mitigation. Our suite of indoor air quality products expertly pairs with your American Standard HVAC system, helping to ensure optimal comfort all year round.”
- Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
Perks of an indoor air qualitymonitor
An indoor air quality monitor like the Awair Element™ can keep track of certain air pollutants in your home. When levels get too high or too low, it can alert you, or even automatically signal the air cleaner to run a Clean Cycle, or the dehumidifier to kick in. Discuss with a local dealer what the right option is for you to keep your home healthier and more comfortable.
Learn about the air you breathe
See humidity levels, level of particulate matter, VOC levels, and more.
Compatible with smart devices
Connect your indoor air monitor to your HVAC system via the Home App for remote monitoring and control from anywhere.
Maintain your system better
Your indoor air quality monitor can collect information to help you create better maintenance habits, like regularly changing your air filter.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
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