It's August in Washington DC and the heat is on in more ways than one:
Congress has reconvened in a last ditch effort to save the USPS!
The political environment ratchets up a little more every day,
We're all dreaming of vacations that are not happening this year (thanks, Covid!),
The weather is sweltering & the air conditioners are humming!
If you're still working from home, you're stressed about the power bill, and if you're back in the office... well, maybe you're just a regular kind of stressed. No matter where you are, you're probably spending more time indoors than you were last month, and you should be on the lookout for indoor air hazards that can be exacerbated by high humidity levels.
DID YOU KNOW? Too much humidity can:
Lead to higher levels of dust mites, mold & other micro-organisms that aggravate allergies
Cause "off-gassing," where everyday building materials (like carpets & wood products) release harmful chemicals into the air
What you can do: Pay attention to your HVAC system. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says "the adequacy of the HVAC system & the air-tightness of a structure or room determine the degree of personal safety & comfort within." That means it's important to make sure your building has adequate ventilation to maintain a healthy humidity level indoors. Sometimes this means upgrading the HVAC system or re-routing ductwork. Also, it's important for your building to have a right-sized HVAC that is maintained on a regular schedule. If your system is too powerful for the space it cools, it may never run long enough to remove humidity from the air. But how can know for sure?
KEM takes an engineering approach to environmental management issues. We can help assess the health of your indoor air, identify the most cost-effective options for correcting any issues, and create practical solutions that will ensure a healthy environment without breaking the bank.