Insulation plays a critical role in supporting healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). In addition to helping regulate temperature, insulation also helps keep outdoor pollutants, dust, and allergens from entering the home and moisture from affecting the building structure.
Many factors affect IAQ, including a combination of energy efficiency, humidity levels, and ventilation. Choosing the proper insulation and implementing natural ventilation techniques can support healthier IAQ.
Controlling Temperature
Insulation provides a barrier against temperature transfer between areas, keeping indoor temperatures stable and decreasing energy costs. It also prevents air leakage, which can lead to drafts and other issues. Some insulation materials are more effective than others at controlling humidity and reducing condensation, which are both associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ).
Insulating your home with the right product will help you minimize IAQ problems, including high humidity levels, mold, and excessively warm or cool indoor temperatures. The choice of material is an important part of this, and the best insulation for your home is one that is environmentally friendly and a good value for your money.
Some popular insulation materials, such as fiberglass batts or rolls, may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can cause odors and other IAQ concerns. However, many new insulation products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified and made from natural fibers or materials that use less chemicals. Cellulose insulation, for example, is an affordable option with high R-value and moisture resistance properties.
Insulation can be installed by homeowners in a variety of forms, including blankets, boards, and foam spray-in-place materials. However, proper installation is essential to achieving the recommended R-value and maintaining the insulation’s performance. For instance, if you do not air seal your walls before adding insulation they will not be as effective at preventing air leakage.
Controlling Humidity
Humidity is a commonly overlooked aspect of maintaining healthy indoor air. Humidity can cause mould, mildew and condensation, and also contribute to poor air quality, which can have negative health impacts for the home’s occupants.
Insulation helps control humidity by slowing the movement of heat and moisture. Bulk insulation is made from fibre materials like rockwool, cellulose and natural fibres. It is designed to keep out heat in summer and reduce the risk of condensation in winter, depending on the climate in which the insulation is used. Reflective insulation, such as reflective foil-faced sarking or radiant barriers, is more effective in colder climates by reflecting the sun’s radiant energy. Composite materials, such as thermal claddings that combine bulk and reflective insulation, are often best suited to cooling climates.
For commercial buildings, a range of factors contribute to poor indoor air quality. Common office pollutants include environmental tobacco smoke; asbestos from acoustic and fire-retardant building materials; formaldehyde, from pressed wood products; chemical contaminants from cleaning agents, paints, adhesives, photocopiers, and printing equipment; and biological contamination from dirty ventilation systems and water-damaged walls, ceilings and carpeting. These pollutants can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, as well as other health problems. Insulation can reduce the amount of pollutants in the air by reducing the movement of heat and moisture. It can also improve acoustic performance by reducing unwanted noise transfer, and dampen the sound of rain in roof cavities when installed under roofing blankets.
Controlling Allergens
Poor indoor air quality affects those who suffer from allergies, asthma and hay fever by exposing them to irritants. These irritants include dust, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke and chemicals. These irritants are brought in by outdoor pollutants, spread by people living in the home and can also be recirculated by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
The best way to control allergens in a home is by cleaning to eliminate them and by controlling the humidity levels which are the breeding ground for mold and mildew. The use of air filters and regular vacuuming helps minimize the presence of these allergens. Keeping windows closed during allergy season helps to keep pollen and other outdoor pollutants out of the house.
Ventilation is important as it brings in fresh outside air, reducing the concentration of allergens. It also removes stale indoor air, allowing it to be replaced by new fresh air. Open windows in the summer and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and closets to improve ventilation.
Adding an ultraviolet-C device to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is also helpful. This device is installed in the ductwork above your furnace and kills airborne viruses* and bacteria, preventing them from recirculating throughout the house. The team at Dor-Mar Heating & Air Conditioning can perform an indoor air quality evaluation and recommend solutions to help your family stay healthy and allergy-free all year round.
Controlling Noise
When many people think of insulation, they picture the pink fluffy stuff that resides inside their homes’ walls. This is thermal insulation, which helps keep a desired temperature in the house by slowing the flow of heat and sound. Insulation is also used to prevent moisture build-up and damage by keeping it away from the foundation of a home.
Insulation is available in a variety of forms, including spray and injection foam, fiberglass, and cellulose. Each type of insulation has its own R-value, a measure of the resistance to the flow of heat, with higher R-values offering greater resistance. When choosing an insulation material, it’s important to consider environmental impact and toxicity. Some products contain high levels of recycled materials and may have lower carbon footprints than other alternatives.
Workplace noise is a significant risk to workers’ health and wellbeing, with hearing-related illnesses accounting for more than 75% of all occupational disease claims. Noise can be controlled by eliminating it from the source (if possible), by engineering modifications, or by using administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
Eliminating the source of the noise is the most effective method for reducing exposure to hazardous noise. Other control measures include modifying the pathway of the noise to reduce its intensity, such as adding barriers or sound-absorbing materials. Administrative controls, such as restricting workers’ access to noisy areas and implementing health surveillance programs, can also help to mitigate risks.