In environments prone to high humidity and dampness, such as wet rooms and pool areas, the presence of mould can lead to various health issues. Moulds produce allergens, irritants, and potentially toxic substances that can trigger allergic reactions and even asthma attacks. In this post, we'll explore how the InAir™ IA60TWHRV unit serves as an ideal solution for such spaces, providing efficient ventilation, heat recovery, and targeted humidity control.
Healthier Living Environments:
The IA60 is not just a heat recovery unit; it's a versatile system designed for various applications. Whether operating individually for single-room heat recovery or collectively for a whole-house ventilation solution, these units contribute to creating healthier living spaces. By effectively reducing humidity and condensation, they mitigate the risk of mould growth, promoting a more pleasant and safer indoor environment.
One standout feature of the IA60 is its ability to recover up to 90% of room heat during operation in Heat Recovery Mode. This not only ensures a more energy-efficient home or workplace, but also leads to cost savings on heating. By contrast, traditional extract fans often waste valuable heat, making the IA60TWHRV an environmentally friendly and wallet-conscious choice.
It is ideal for numerous applications where moisture removal and fresh filtered air is required, these include;
Advanced Air Filtration Options:
To further enhance indoor air quality, the IA60TWHRV offers optional filter upgrades:
Elevate your living or working space with the advanced technology of the IA60TWHRV, and experience the transformative impact it can have on your well-being and comfort.
Click here to learn more or to view the IA60 on our website.
]]>Heat Recovery:
The IA60 operates in a heat recovery mode, where it captures up to 90% of the heat from the stale, outgoing indoor air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air. This means that you get the benefit of pre-warmed, fresh air, reducing the need for excessive heating, saving on energy costs.
Moisture Control:
Winter can bring with it a common but troublesome issue: rising humidity levels that lead to condensation on your windows and walls. This condensation can create an ideal environment for mould and mildew growth, which not only impacts the aesthetics of your home but can also pose health risks. As the IA60 has continual ventilation this ensures that excess moisture is vented out, reducing the risk of condensation, subsequent mould, and mildew growth. By maintaining optimal humidity levels, the IA60 creates a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
Protecting Your Home:
Excess moisture in your home can have more significant consequences than just unsightly mould. It can also lead to structural issues. Over time, moisture-related problems can affect the integrity of your building, causing rot, decay, and deterioration. By effectively controlling humidity and reducing the risk, the IA60 helps preserve the life of your home's structural components, therefore not only keeping your home looking and feeling better but also saving you money by extending the lifespan of your home
Healthier Indoor Air:
Proper ventilation, as provided by the IA60, ensures a constant supply of fresh air, reducing the concentration of indoor air pollutants. These pollutants can include allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other contaminants that may accumulate during the colder months. This promotes better indoor air quality, which is particularly important when windows and doors are kept closed during the colder months.
Environmental and Financial Benefits:
Beyond personal comfort, the IA60's heat recovery mode contributes to environmental sustainability. By reusing heat that would otherwise be squandered, it plays a part in reducing your overall energy consumption, subsequently lowering your carbon footprint.
In summary, the IA60's cutting-edge heat recovery technology serves as a prime example of how innovative solutions can address modern concerns, delivering both comfort and energy efficiency. During the winter season, it's your steadfast companion, ensuring your home is a sanctuary of warmth, health, and cost-effectiveness.
]]>It has also been reported that August is the highest month for grass pollen, which most hay fever sufferers are commonly allergic to.
Pollen is made up of tiny grains which are released by plants and trees as part of their reproductive cycle, it is then typically spread by wind and insects causing significant irritation and inflammation to those who are allergic.
Other pollutants such as house dust, dust mites, animal hair and mould fumes can also trigger allergies and hay fever.
Symptoms of hay fever can include sneezing, coughing, itchy/watery eyes and more. Less common hay fever symptoms include headaches and hives and for those who suffer with asthma, these irritations can sometimes lead to more serious outcomes, such as shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
So, how can an Air Purifier help your hay fever?
Air Purifiers cleanse the air by filtering out all kinds of pollutants, it can be an effective tool that not only provides improved air quality in your home or work environment but to also provide relief from allergy symptoms.
When choosing an Air Purifier, it is best to pick one with a HEPA filter. This type of filter can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. Units that opt for a less viable filter are nowhere near as effective at removing small allergens from indoors.
Our IA-450UV* unit uses an 8-stage air cleaning system which features a washable Pre-filter, an AOC (Advanced Odour Control) Carbon Filter, a HEPA filter, a Photocatalyst filter, Negative ionization, and Humidifier.
This unit is also fitted with UV light which essentially kills harmful bacteria and viruses including COVID with no Ozone.
Good Air Quality should never be undervalued. With real benefits, Air Purifiers are most definitely worth investing in to reduce airborne allergens and to ensure cleaner, healthier indoor air is provided.
Discover more about our IA-450UV unit here and experience the benefits for yourself.
* The IA-450UV is AHAM & CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) Certified, and is best suited for medium to large living spaces, offices, waiting rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms.
]]>What is Mould?
Mould is a type of fungus that breaks down dead material. This fungus thrives in dampness, moisture, warm air and other ‘feeding’ materials such as carpet, wood and even dust. Mould can also grow on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, insulation, and drywall.
Condensation is one of the most significant contributors of mould growth. Condensation occurs when air containing water vapour is cooled by contact with a cold surface, often see in kitchens and bathrooms. Condensation can also occur in less visible places like blocked-in fireplaces, behind furniture and even underneath laminate flooring.
Inside buildings are capable of holding various amounts of moisture. When the warm, moist air comes into contact with a cold surface, like a window, it is no longer able to hold as much water vapour. With a lack of ventilation, the average household can produce around 14 litres of water vapour in just under 24 hours.
The most common indoor moulds are:
Health Effects of Mould
Exposure to damp and mouldy environments can trigger nasal congestion, respiratory infections and worsen any asthma and allergy conditions. Another common health effect caused by mould is skin rashes. According to the NHS, allergic skin rashes commonly present as:
Ways to Reduce Moisture and Prevent Mould
To reduce moisture, you need to tackle the amount of condensation in your home. This can be done through ventilation systems that focus on providing clean, fresh filtered air.
When looking to ventilate a single room in your home, one particularly prone to moisture and condensation there are a few options available.
Heat Recovery Ventilation
Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems replace stale moist air with filtered, fresh, and warm air from outside. Our InAir™ Heat Recovery units provide targeted humidity and condensation solutions to reduce damp. This will provide a healthier and safer living environment as well as reducing damage to the building fabric.
When in Heat Recovery mode, our InAir™ IA60TWHRV unit can recover up to 90% of the room heat which is then put back into the incoming fresh air.
This reduces heating costs, is good for the environment, good for your health, and good for your wallet. The unit also takes heat that would normally be wasted when using a regular extractor fan. Using a Primary Filter, a HEPA filter, and an Activated Carbon Filter you are guaranteed to have excellent filtration running through your home.
The InAir™ IA60TWHRV unit can also operate as extractor fan, positive input ventilation unit or in a continually operating 'cycled' Heat Recovery Mode. For best results they should be installed in pairs.
Air Purification
Air purifiers can also be an important tool in preventing and eliminating mould however they typically serve a different purpose. An Air Purifier removes mould spores from the air which makes it harder for mould and mildew to create new colonies.
With Air Purifiers it is important to choose one with a HEPA filter as these are more likely to remove the smallest of mould particles. Choosing a purifier with a UV light can also destroy mould spores, reducing the chance of any other growth.
Our IA-450UV unit is fitted with an 8 stage air cleaning system featuring a Pre-filter, Carbon filter, Photocatalyst filter and a HEPA filter. The unit also comes with a UV light.
The IA-450-UV is perfect for removing pollen particles and is also recommended for:
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Choose to start investing in your indoor space.
]]>Human Health
When it comes to human health, poor air quality can contribute to many health issues.
Clean air can provide many positive benefits such as:
Healthy lungs.
Reduced chances of life threatening diseases.
Fewer respiratory symptoms, such as asthma.
Improved concertation.
A stronger immune system.
Increased energy.
Environmental Health
Environmental health doesn’t necessarily relate to nature. It can apply to any of our surrounding environments such as our infrastructures. For instance, our building materials used in our home or workplace play a huge part in our wellbeing.
Materials such as paints, sprays, carpets, varnishes can all cause air pollutants in the air to disrupt our health. These examples are known as Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and are products found in chemicals that then become a gas at room temperature.
Purchasing our Air Quality Monitor is a great way to keep track of all things important for either you and anyone else who shares the space the device is placed within.
This device can measure CO2 TVOC, HCHO, temperature and humidity.
Climate Health
Poor air quality is also a lead factor in climate change. A short lived climate pollutant (SLCP) such as black carbon, is one of the largest contributor to global warming after CO2. This SLCP warms the atmosphere on earth by absorbing sunlight which then speeds up the melting of ice and snow.
Another SLCP such as Methane is another powerful greenhouse gas that is primarily emitted by human activities, such as raising livestock.
There is a direct relationship between outdoor air quality and indoor air quality. The potential health consequences and quality of life impacts are largely the same, even if the pollution sources differ.
Clean air outdoors benefits clean air indoors.
Dr Adil Sheraz, a consultant dermatologist and a member of the British Skin Foundation, said that air pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (also known as PAH) and other substances such as cigarette smoke can have harmful effects on the skin.
Eczema suffers may see an increase in irritation/inflammation due to a build of PAH, which can typically be found in household items (for example carpets and curtains.) Opting for a vinyl or hardwood floor can benefit those with a compromised skin barrier or purchasing a ventilation unit can be a great option.
The effects of smoking can cause the body tremendous damage inside, but did you know that it can also aggravate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne? Smoking can likewise encourage those pesky fine lines and wrinkles to appear, even at an early age.
To minimise the damage, take a look at the InAir IA-450UV unit which will remove any harmful airborne allergens such as mould, spores and pollen (preventing skin irritation and potential flare-ups.)
The 8-stage purification system also removes household odours such as cigarette smoke, which then dehumidifies and deodorises, making the air around you more habitable. In turn, by purchasing an Air Purification unit you are significantly improving the pollution inside your home.
To purchase the IA-450UV unit or to view other products follow this link: https://www.in-air.co.uk/collections/air-purifiers
]]>It is well known that outside air pollution can be harmful to our health, however less attention is paid to the indoor air where we spend 90% of our time. This time can be spent at home, school, work etc. and the air pollution can consist of dirt, dust, gas and other microparticles we may breathe in. Using our new Air Quality Monitor, you are able to track the levels of CO2, TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), HCHO (Formaldehyde) as well as the temperature and humidity in the room.
Although you normally hear of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) when discussing global warming, it is also a good indicator of the air quality inside your home (or another indoor environment.) CO2 is very rarely an issue to our health as it is emitted by all humans while breathing however over exposure can produce a variety of effects that may include headaches, dizziness, restlessness, pins or needles, breathing difficulties, sweating, tiredness and an increased heart rate. See our table below which indicates CO2 levels alongside the potential health hazards that coagulate.
250-350 ppm (Parts Per Million) |
Normal outdoor air level. |
350-1000 ppm |
Typical level found in occupied spaces with good air exchange. |
1000-2000 ppm |
Level associated with complaints of drowsiness and poor air. Poor air quality could also relate to poor ventilation. |
2000-5000 ppm |
Level associated with headaches, sleepiness, stagnant air, poor concentration, loss of attention, increased heart rate and nausea. |
>5000 ppm |
This level would indicate unusual air conditions where high levels of other gases may also be present. Toxicity or oxygen deprivation could occur. |
>40,000 ppm |
This level is immediately harmful and will cause oxygen deprivation. |
In relation to health effects caused by a build-up of CO2, a high level can also raise indication that the aeriation in the room may need improvement. Though CO2 levels are not found to be a direct exposure to the coronavirus we are now all too familiar with, checking these levels daily can highlight poorly ventilated areas.
Our Air Quality Monitor measures the level of CO2 in whichever room it is placed, so you are able to check these levels throughout the day. If high levels are present, ventilation may be required to lower these readings. InAir™ are able to solve this issue with a range of Air Purifier and Ventilation systems, most notably the IA-450UV unit equipped with an 8-stage air cleaning system and known as the Virus Killer. Prioritising any areas for improvement reduces the risk of aerosol transmission which then in turn helps prevent contracting coronavirus.
The Monitor also allows you to view the TVOC levels in the room, and as the volatile organic components may be the least known factor in bad air quality, it is just as important to keep track of these readings.
TVOC is known as Total Volatile Organic Compounds which are found to be organic chemicals that become a gas when at room temperature. Some examples of this can be benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene and toluene. These types can be found in multiple sources inside your everyday environment such as:
The effect of TVOC on your health will normally depend on the level of exposure. See our TVOC table below to gage an indication on which levels you should be aiming for daily. High levels will typically cause immediate symptoms which can occur once a person has been introduced to a particular exposure, for example a headache may appear after standing in a freshly painted room. Other symptoms (similar to the symptoms of CO2 exposure) can include dizziness, nausea, eye, nose and throat irritation, coordination loss, fatigue, skin reactions, stagnant air and in some cases cancer (this is particularly common in some VOCs like formaldehyde.)
Less than 0.3 mg/m3 |
Low level of concern. |
0.3 to 0.5 mg/m3 |
Acceptable level of concern. |
0.5 to 1 mg/m3 |
Borderline level of concern. |
1 to 3 mg/m3 |
High level of concern. |
Formaldehyde or what can also be known as HCHO, is a typical hazardous indoor air pollutant considered a carcinogen. HCHO is a colourless, flammable, strong smelling gas present all around us. It can be found in industrial emissions, cooking, smoking, traffic, and even building materials. In fact, a new study has shown that high levels of HCHO are typically found in new builds due to products such as treated wood, insulations containing TVOCs are used- in turn these products will give off the volatile organic compounds and evaporate into the air.
Due to the toxicity, HCHO exposure can cause health effects such as sore throats, an irritating cough, nausea, eye irritation, asthmatic attacks and as mentioned above, cancer. Exposure to this gas is a typical concern for children, elderly persons, pregnant women and those diagnosed with breathing problems. If exposed for long periods of time it likely someone would eventually develop a formaldehyde allergy, causing serious health defects- measuring HCHO levels is recommended daily to avoid this occurring.
Along with being able to monitor the CO2, TVOC and HCOC levels in your home, you are able to use our new device to measure the level of humidity and the temperature of the room.
As humidity is considered to be the main pollutant in homes, it is relevant to keep the indoor humidity level under observation. A high humidity level indoors can cause dust mites, mould and excess moisture in the air.
Not only is this bad for health, it can lead to rotting furniture, damaged flooring and peeling wallpaper/paint which isn’t great for your bank.
The good news is, if you happen to notice your humidity levels are increasing (as well as any other reading stated in this article) we also sell devices that will ventilate the room. Take our InAir Purifier IA-450UV unit for example, not only will this help with humidity levels (and CO2 levels previously mentioned), it removes any TVOCs, dust, dander and smoke from the atmosphere, purifying the air and making it easier to breathe.
With all this in mind, purchasing our Air Quality Monitor is a great way to keep track of all things important for either you and anyone else who shares the space the device is placed within.
For more information, or to view our other products visit our website www.in-air.co.uk.
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