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FAQ
This FAQ tackles common concerns about indoor air quality, debunks misconceptions, and highlights the hidden health risks of energy-efficient homes. Learn how our expertise in ventilation and air quality solutions helps you achieve a healthier, safer living environment for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
General
This is one of the most common homeowner mistakes/misconceptions. It’s impossible for ambient indoor air to hold continuous 40% humidity on a wall or table mount gauge, as relative humidity will fluctuate according to outside temperatures. The colder the temperature, the lower the reading. Only a break in the weather will allow humidity indoors to flex mildly upwards.*
In fact, trying to do so will gradually destroy the building structure. It’ll first compromise the building's envelope (water accumulation), eventually causing significant damage to other structural components. This will also create significant health hazards due to mold/rot and dramatically increase heating bills.
*Normal winter humidity levels inside a home:
0 degrees Celsius, 35 to 40% humidity
-40 degrees Celsius, 8 to 10% humidity
No, and don’t let your dry nose fool you! It’s important to understand how indoor moisture works during the heating season. Know that a family of 4 occupants produces an average of 135 to 150 litres of water per week from breathing, cooking, showering, etc. Pets and plants also contribute, as does the water table the home sits on. There are multiple, often overlooked yet significant sources of humidity.
This humidity is a moisture lost by conduction; like heat loss from hot to cold. Heat loss occurs when the humidity of a home gets trapped in the envelope of a home and more specifically at the due point inside the walls and attic where it becomes frost. This frost leads to condensation, damage to drywall, paint, wallpaper, windows and microbial/mold growth.
The most common health issues include:
• Ear Infections (Especially with Children)
• Sinus Infections That Call for Surgery
• Frequent Nose Bleeds
• Tightness in the Chest
• Eye and Throat Irritation
• Extreme Dryness of Skin, Mouth, Throat, Eyes, Etc.
• Bacterial Infections
• Asthma Attacks
• Persistent/Insatiable Thirst
• Extreme Dry Throat
• Constant Nose Blowing
• Dry Eyes
Despite having resolved multiple health issues stemming from poor indoor air quality throughout our 45 years of business and the overwhelming evidence of sick building house syndrome, referrals from family practitioners or local health units have been practically non-existent.
Despite their good intentions, doctors and the healthcare system are oftentimes reactive instead of preventative. In other words, they’re often conditioned to treat already sick patients (sometimes with drugs/pharmaceuticals) instead of eliminating root causes of diseases and sickness, continuously overwhelming the healthcare system.
Air cleaners are meant to trap dust particles for a lower count when measured on a 0.05-micron laser particle counter. They’re more like a small dust collector. On their own, they do not provide enough.
As for ventilation systems, we would argue that as much as 90% of installed systems are undersized for proper and complete home detox. We frequently remove these systems and upgrade them to our properly sized systems that can do the job right.
Our MPIII Air Medics brand is different because our sizing is always based on proper whole house detox. Sizing is based on the square footage of a home, so naturally larger homes with attached garages need to be accounted for. A system for a garage is also important.
Opening windows can absolutely be an asset during the summer. However, there are problems during summer with cooler basements that build up mold and mustiness. People with allergies don’t handle basement apartments very well. We’ve witnessed many basement tenants suffer from major congestion, phlegm, sluggishness, and general malaise. Proper basement ventilation, through an adequately sized ventilation system, addresses these issues.
Never open basement windows during the summer, as more outside humidity will enter and react with the cold concrete, resulting in more mustiness and mold.
It’s critical to avoid opening windows during the winter, as the water exfiltrating, especially on upper floors, will eventually cause glass thermos seal failures. They’ll also wreck window cranks and seals, as they tend to freeze when opened and require a lot of force to shut, which isn’t recommended. It would also drive a heating bill through the roof.
Thankfully, our ventilation systems are high efficiency (95%) heat recovery ventilators. Our customers are often thanking us for lowering overall operating costs, including heating/cooling loads and costs in all seasons.
We cannot emphasize enough that benefits are only achieved with properly sized and dependable ventilation systems. Our products and design can offer lower operating costs by preventing both surface and concealed condensation like wet frosted attics and walls, avoiding drywall nail pops and repairs.
Most homeowners don’t realise that wet insulation loses as much as 40% of its R-Value. Trust us, we know how to keep your insulation dry and efficient! Homeowners will avoid wet windows, condensation repairs, and so much more.
It’s important to be aware of trade people, especially those in the heating industry who aren’t trained in understanding homes as a complete system. Health issues caused by poor indoor air quality are undoubtedly due to undersized ventilation systems that “meet” the minimal requirements of the building code, which mandated ventilation systems in new construction since January 2017.
Unfortunately, they approve minimal ventilation requirements, which leads to many problems. When questioned, they don’t have answers but like to lead homeowners into purchasing and installing furnace humidifiers, which is wrong.
The typical lifespan of our ventilation systems is slightly over 20 years (dependability and durability). Competing low-end ventilation systems are lucky to last at most 10 years with constant high maintenance. Generally, these inferior products are left unplugged within the first year for many reasons.
Most companies rush a 1-pass process, whereas we perform a 3-pass cleaning process to make sure the work is done right.
The price for an average-sized bungalow with a full basement starts at $689.00*
Larger 2-storey homes will typically start at $789.00.
A job that’s completed properly will give you at least 5 years of leeway before your next duct cleaning is required. Know and beware of the difference when the price looks too good to be true. 1-pass processes could require yearly duct cleaning work.
Optional $80.00 duct cleaning sanitization using biodegradable friendly products (ambulance/hospital-grade disinfectant).
*Above prices assume only one furnace and vary according to the home’s size and layout. Prices are also subject to change.
Ideal for smaller homes that are 1000 square feet or less with attached garages, we offer a smaller 195 DCS system at $5995.00*
As for homes between 1000 and 3000 square feet (including basement), we recommend our 300 DCS system priced at $6595.00*. Larger homes may require double systems.
For comparison, low-end single cores that are proven undependable are installed in the range of $5000.00 and more.
*These prices reflect furnace duct system integration design and do not include taxes. Prices are also subject to change.
Since starting our company in 1978, our insulation division and experience in energy conservation has led to understanding the home as a system. It didn’t take long to understand that home deterioration goes hand in hand with an occupant’s increasing health issues and that proper sized ventilation systems were the answer.
It’s important to remember that fresh clean air inside a home needs to be provided by a properly designed ventilation system and according to the tightness of renovated or newly built homes to prevent home toxicity health effects.
We have serviced many different industries and buildings including but not limited to: residential homes, offices, schools (over 100 individual classrooms), sports venues, dental offices, animal shelters and dog kennels, churches, cottages, attached and detached garages, lofts over horse boarding stable, barns, car washes, military bases and government buildings, chiropractic offices, post offices, old age senior and retirement homes, hair dressing shops, medical clinics and nursing stations.
Still have questions?
Get in touch with R&R Air Medics today!
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