Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on health, comfort, and overall well-being. Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, where pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoors. Poor IAQ can lead to a range of health issues, from minor irritations like headaches and fatigue to serious respiratory problems and long-term illness.
At S&P USA Ventilation Systems, we believe clean air is essential. That's why we engineer high-performance ventilation solutions that help reduce indoor pollutants and maintain optimal airflow in commercial and residential environments. Our energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), exhaust fans, and inline fans are designed to improve indoor air quality while maintaining energy efficiency.
What Affects Indoor Air Quality?
- Inadequate Ventilation: Without proper outside air exchange, indoor pollutants and particles accumulate.
- Humidity and Moisture: High humidity promotes mold and mildew growth.
- Building Materials and Furnishings: Off-gassing from paint, flooring, and furniture emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can linger in the air.
- Combustion Sources: Appliances, stoves, and fireplaces emit harmful gases.
- Everyday Activities: Cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and even breathing contribute to indoor air pollution.
How Poor IAQ Affects People and Performance
Spreading Diseases
As airborne contaminants build up without proper ventilation, people are more likely to contract illnesses spread by coughing and breathing.
Health Problems
Poor IAQ can cause allergies, headaches, coughs, asthma, skin irritations and breathing difficulties.
Cognitive Impairment
Harvard and Berkeley Lab found that high levels of CO2 negatively impacts thinking and decision-making.
Reduced Productivity
Berkeley Lab found that deficient IAQ can cost $200 billion in debilitated worker performance and $58 billion in lost sick time.
The Role of Ventilation
As modern homes and commercial buildings become more airtight for energy efficiency, airborne contaminants build up and cause poor IAQ. Proper ventilation is key to improving air quality by bringing in fresh, outdoor air and removing stale, indoor air.
The easiest way to ventilate is by opening windows. However, natural ventilation isn’t always practical—in commercial buildings or in homes—during very hot, humid, or cold months. Mechanical ventilation strategies provide consistent, filtered airflow.
Home Ventilation Strategies
S&P USA Ventilation Systems provides exhaust-only, supply-only, and balanced strategies for any type of project.
Home Ventilation Strategies
S&P USA Ventilation Systems provides exhaust-only, supply-only, and balanced strategies for any type of project.
Natural Ventilation
Opening windows or doors to allow outdoor air in and indoor air out.
Exhaust-only ventilation
Exhaust fans (e.g. bathroom fans) remove and exhaust out contaminated air.
Supply-only Ventilation
Supply fans bring in fresh air into the building or home.
Balanced Ventilation
Balanced ventilation exhausts contaminated air and brings fresh air into a building or home.