Controlling Humidity
Moisture is the single most important factor. Too much or too little humidity indoors can be destructive and create unhealthy effects.
Improper humidity and temperature levels can actually increase concentrations of particles and bio-aerosols.
A properly designed, installed, and operating air conditioning/heating system sets the foundation for humidity control.
This includes a duct system that is clean and sealed to keep duct leakage to a minimum. We strongly recommend duct cleaning when needed and it is a first step toward maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
A high-capacity dehumidifier can be added in areas where needed such as basements that don’t require a lot of cooling. A humidifier can be effective for indoor air becoming too dry during the winter, especially when using gas heat.
Duct Leakage and System Pressure Imbalance
Duct Leakage air from the supply side:
Air duct leakage from the supply creates an imbalance for the return. This causes negative pressure on the duct system, pulling in air from the outside that can add dust and moisture into the indoor environment.
Leaking air from return side:
Air duct leakage in the return creates an imbalance for the supply. This causes a positive imbalance that pushes conditioned outside as well as drawing in dust and moisture from outside air into the return.
Duct repairs generally provide more energy savings than any other measure. Repairs to poorly insulated and poorly-sealed ducts located in attics or crawl spaces may achieve a 50% reduction in energy losses and can result in significant annual savings.