As I write this month’s column, October is just around the corner. Here in Cleveland, the weather is getting colder and rainier. The leaves are just starting to change colors. And my neighbors and homeowners around the city are beginning to prepare for autumn, Halloween, and eventually, winter.

Also, October is National Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Awareness Month. Observed annually, this month-long recognition event provides an opportunity to focus on the air we breathe indoors. But just how important is this to your company and your customers?

Why Focus on IAQ?

Let’s take a look at some numbers to start with. One of the more popular statistics about indoor spaces is how much time the average person spends there. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates it at 90% in America! In my humble opinion, the quality of the air we’re breathing 90% of the time is important, and it should matter to you.

This is a fact not necessarily lost upon the HVAC Industry. After all, there are plenty of contractor services (duct cleaning among them) and products (filtration systems, ozone products, UV lights, and more) to address the issue.

Furthermore, there are agreed-upon definitions for what is acceptable IAQ. Specifically, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has Standard 62.1 and 62.2 that are applicable to most indoor settings. The standard defines acceptable indoor air quality as:

“… air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.”

Your Role in Improving IAQ

As High-Performance HVAC™ contractors, you certainly have a role to play. From doing the basics, like including things such as filter changes, equipment maintenance routines, IAQ testing, and ensuring that ductwork systems are not leaky, you can help customers remain safe from health concerns as well as comfortable within their homes.

But there is an even bigger role that you can play, especially if you make IAQ an important part of your service offerings, like Nathan Copeland of Copeland Home Services does.

Read his article on page 17 where he talks about teaming up with an environmentalist and a mold remediation specialist to attack a rare, but harmful disease caused by mold.

In that article, he shares what he and his team do to find and solve these issues before they become life-threatening (and they can become life threatening) and the impact that has on both his company and the lives of customers.

IAQ issues include radon, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, and allergens from mold, insects, and pets. By offering IAQ upgrades and control strategies, you can help customers take charge of their comfort and health within their homes.

Help Customers Understand What IAQ Means to Them

The last, and maybe most important part of this: communication. Your team should communicate clearly any and all IAQ issues you find through testing and measuring. In the end, you are the professional that customers depend on. Happy IAQ Awareness Month.