The Hidden Dangers That A Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Prevents

Poor ventilation (the process of bringing in fresh air from outside and removing indoor air) and poor air quality can create significant health and wellbeing and building issues, caused by “hidden” dangers, as various pollutants and pathogens can accumulate.

These pollutants and pathogens can lead to fatigue, headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems and sick building syndrome, as well as increased risk of transmission of illnesses. They can also impact a building through the growth of mould and mildew which can cause a building’s structure to degrade and decay.

Indoor Hazards

There are a number of indoor pollutants and hazards that can be found in homes and workplaces, some of which are outlined below.

Dust and Allergens

A buildup of dust and other allergens can trigger health issues as these microscopic, protein-based particles enter the air.

When they are inhaled or come into contact with skin, they can activate the immune system which produces an allergic reaction, inflaming the airways and skin which in turn can exacerbate asthma, other respiratory conditions and eczema.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

CO is a dangerous, colourless, odourless gas which is produced by malfunctioning, improperly installed or unvented, blocked or leaking heating systems, stoves and boilers. When CO is inhaled it enters the bloodstream and binds to haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the bloodstream, forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb). CO binds to haemoglobin with a 200+-fold greater affinity than oxygen, which prevents oxygen from getting to the organs and tissues, leading to cellular hypoxia, or tissue starvation. According to ScienceDirect “breathing air containing 0.02% CO for 2 h causes symptoms, such as headache and nausea. A concentration of 0.1% produces loss of consciousness within 1 h and death by asphyxia in only 4 h.”

NO₂ produced by heaters, gas stoves, ovens and tobacco smoke can impact respiratory health leading to throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and the worsening of asthma, triggering asthma attacks as well as heart and lung disease and diabetes. This is confirmed by a PubMed article “Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and respiratory disease risk” which states that “NO₂ is associated with respiratory symptoms” and adds that NO2 “may increase the susceptibility to infection by viruses and bacteria.”

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

CO₂ is a naturally occurring colourless, odourless gas. The primary source of CO₂ is from human and animal respiration. Exhaled air contains concentrations of CO₂ hundreds of times higher than the CO₂ contained inthe surrounding air. This can cause CO₂  spikes in enclosed spaces or where many people are gathered. In the past the concern has always been with regards to CO, it’s only in recent years that concerns around CO₂ have become prevalent.

The Guardian newspaper reported a study in Nature Sustainability “Direct human health risks of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide” which says “there is a growing body of research suggesting levels of CO₂ that can be found in bedrooms, classrooms and offices might have harmful effects on the body, including affecting cognitive performance.”

The article goes onto state that “environmentally relevant elevations in CO2 (<5,000 ppm) may pose direct risks for human health. Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations could make adverse exposures more frequent and prolonged through increases in indoor air concentrations and increased time spent indoors.” Risks from exposure to CO₂ include inflammation, reduced higher-level cognitive abilities, bone demineralisation, kidney calcification, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that are emitted as gases from products like building materials, furniture, paints, varnishes, cleaners and aerosol sprays. Concentrations of VOCs have been reported from 2 – 10 times higher indoors than outdoors.

“Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residential indoor air during interior finish period: Sources, variations, and health risks”, a ScienceDirect paper measured VOCs in the indoor microenvironments at different interior finishing stages of two renovated residences and confirmed that outdoor levels of VOCs were three times lower than indoors and the increased levels of VOCs could be attributed to “furniture installation” and “wall painting”.

Many VOCs are known to have short- and long-term adverse health effects from headaches, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose and throat irritation, fatigue and loss of coordination in the short term to liver, kidney and nervous system damage, cancer and neurodevelopmental delays in the long-term.

Mildew and Mould

Mildew is a microscopic fungus that is invisible to the naked eye and that grows at “surface-level” in damp, warm, and poorly ventilated environments in the home or workplace. Mould, unlike mildew grows and penetrates deep into building materials. Mildew and mould spores are everywhere. By the time you can see mildew or mould growth, what you are seeing are millions of spores forming a colony.

Mildew and mould spores in the air can cause allergic reactions and irritation to the throat, nose, eyes, and skin and affect the airways and lungs causing respiratory issues. Inhaling or touching spores can trigger asthma, wheezing and coughing.

Gov.uk guidance on “Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home” states that “the respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death”.

Black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) often releases mycotoxins that can cause severe health issues. Symptoms of exposure to mycotoxins include fatigue, headaches, aches and pains, nosebleeds, shortness of breath and cognitive issues. A case of exposure to black mould, referenced by the UK government on their guidance is “the tragic death of Awaab Ishak was the result of a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to [black] mould in a home with inadequate ventilation.”

Airborne Diseases

Studies have shown that when there is a lack of ventilation, resulting in poor indoor air quality, airborne disease infection risk increases significantly and in poorly ventilated areas transmittable airborne aerosols can persist for long periods.

A PubMed Central article “Ventilation control for airborne transmission of human exhaled bio-aerosols in buildings” published in 2018 explains that “The growing urbanization, the worsening overcrowded conditions in modern large cities and the rapidly growing worldwide transport networks are possibly making the transmission of airborne spread infectious diseases faster. Airborne transmission mostly occurred in indoor environments, where most people spend over 90% of their time.” The article also stated that “The emergence of respiratory diseases, i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, H1N1 influenza epidemic in 2011 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak, reiterated the significance of ventilation in buildings.”

The need for ventilation and good air quality was further emphasised with the COVID-19 pandemic which highlighted the crucial role of indoor air quality and the transmission of indoor airborne pathogens when research showed that SARS-CoV-2 travels further indoors and can be transmitted beyond the traditional 2-metre guideline in indoor settings with low air exchange rates.

Structural Damage

Making sure indoor humidity levels and ventilation are managed are vital for maintaining building structure and integrity. High humidity levels can lead to dampness which can affect the structure of a building causing degradation of the building materials.

In high humidity environments masonry can crack, wood can distort and rot; metal can corrode and rust; and the effectiveness of insulation is destroyed as trapped air is replaced with water which conducts heat rather than blocking it, resulting in heat loss. Low humidity can also cause wood to shrink and plaster to crack and peel.

As well as damaging the building materials high humidity can also impact furniture and electrical equipment.

Good Ventilation and Air Quality Is Associated With…

It’s clear that a lack of ventilation and air conditioning can have a major impact on buildings and people.

A Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system performs three separate functions:

Controlling The Temperature

An HVAC provides temperature control. It will work to ensure a room or building is maintained at a constant, comfortable temperature, as set by the thermostat. When the temperature in the room reaches the desired temperature the thermostat kicks in and the set temperature is maintained. When the room temperature starts to rise (or fall) again the HVAC does its job to bring the room temperature back to the level set and so the cycle goes on.

Cleaning The Air

An HVAC plays a major role in keeping the air clean within a building by filtering the air that passes through them. As air circulates the filters act as a barrier trapping dust, pollen, mould spores, allergens and pollutants and preventing these particulates from circulating indoors and stopping people from breathing them in. Without air conditioning many people resort to opening windows which can allow pollen and other irritants to find their way into a building.

Dehumidifying The Air

Just as an HVAC removes the heat from the air, it also removes moisture which helps to control humidity levels. By removing the excess water vapour from the air, an HVAC system reduces the humidity levels producing a more comfortable environment, making it easier for people to more easily regulate their body temperature, protecting equipment and furniture as well as keeping a building free from mould and mildew.

Maintaining Your HVAC

Just having an HVAC won’t protect you from the many issues above if you don’t maintain the system. Some of the many things covered by maintenance are outlined below.

• Inspecting the system by carrying out a visual inspection of your HVAC system to identify any issues.
• Checking the control panel, thermostat settings and sensors to look for any discrepancy between the set temperature and the actual room or building temperature.
• Checking electrical connections to determine whether there are any damaged, frayed, loose or detached wires and replace any that look in need of repair.
• Changing the filters to prevent the filters from becoming clogged through the buildup of dirt, dust, grime, pollen etc.
• Checking ductwork to look for gaps or holes and connections that have become loose over time.
• Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils to prevent the buildup of dust and grime that can clog the coils.
• Checking the condensate drain for debris and dirt.
• Lubricating moving parts including the fan motor, the fans and the compressor to prevent friction, heat, wear and tear and stress between the parts within the system.
• Checking the refrigerant levels.
• Checking for leaks.
• Testing the systemto ensure all issues have been addressed, if there were any, and the system is working efficiently.

Regular inspections and maintenance will help keep your HVAC in good shape and will help prolong its life. Implementing regular HVAC maintenance can help maintain up to 95% of your HVAC system’s efficiency and provide you with a comfortable, safer indoor environment.

Synecore – Experts In HVAC Systems

Synecore are experts in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Synecore designs, installs, and maintains HVAC systems for both homes and commercial buildings in Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. We combine our technical expertise with the latest in HVAC technology to meet all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs.

We are an approved supplier and installation expert for brands, Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, and Daikin. These brands are the disruptors in developing clean and efficient cooling and heating solutions for commercial and residential properties.

We offer Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) which ensures you are F-Gas (a legal obligation for any business that operates an air conditioning system with a CO2 equivalent charge of 5 tonnes or more) and TM44 (an energy efficiency assessment of a buildings air conditioning system with a rated output of 12kW or more) compliant. Removing any uncertainty in the management of your system and giving you complete peace of mind.

New installations benefit from extended warranty periods when maintained by Synecore.

If you are looking to install a new air conditioning installation contact our team or call on 01795 509 509. We’ll talk you through your options and provide you with expert advice on the right system for you.