Most London homes have indoor air that is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Learn what causes poor indoor air quality, how to measure it, and the most cost-effective solutions for Canadian homes.
Canadians spend roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, and London homes are sealed tightly for six or more months of the year to conserve heat. That combination creates conditions where pollutants, moisture, and allergens accumulate to levels that can significantly affect health and comfort. Understanding what is in your indoor air is the first step toward improving it.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) continuously exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering 70 to 80 percent of the heat from the outgoing air. For a tightly built London home, an HRV is the single most impactful indoor air quality investment available. It addresses carbon dioxide buildup, reduces humidity in winter, and dilutes VOCs and other pollutants without the energy penalty of simply opening a window. Ontario building code now requires HRVs in all new construction for this reason.
London's heating season runs from October through April, and gas furnaces produce very dry heat. Portable humidifiers are difficult to maintain and rarely keep up with the demand of a full home. A whole-home bypass or fan-powered humidifier installed on the furnace maintains consistent relative humidity throughout the house automatically, protecting wood floors and furniture while improving comfort and reducing heating costs. Properly humidified air feels warmer at the same thermostat setting, which is why most homeowners lower their thermostat by 1 to 2 degrees after installing whole-home humidification.
Target a relative humidity of 35 to 45 percent during the heating season. Below 30 percent, you will notice dry skin and static. Above 50 percent, you risk condensation on windows and mould growth in wall cavities.
Corner Gas HVAC serves London, Ontario and Middlesex County. Same-day service available.
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