How to Protect Indoor Air Quality in The Wake of Summer Heat

Summer has arrived once again, and we're here for it!

But with summer heat comes a myriad of unpleasant air quality issues. Some we already saw before summer even hit!

Earlier this month, much of Ontario smelled like a giant bonfire. This was, of course, due to wildfires burning across the county. Smoke from out West, Quebec and Northern Ontario became wind-borne - lowering air quality throughout Ontario.

In fact, at one point during this event, Toronto’s air quality ranked among the world’s worst! By that same evening, the air quality index of Ottawa rose to above level 10 (very high risk)!

Smoke exposure causes eye irritation, coughing and respiratory difficulties. No wonder much of the province was highly encouraged to limit their exposure as much as possible.

After the spring we’ve had, with early heat waves and poor air quality, who knows what could happen next!

Thankfully, the smoke continues to dissipate today. But the risk of coming heat waves looms.

Many homeowners have come to us with the same question, “how do I protect my indoor air quality this summer?”

At the end of this article, we explore 4 products to keep your home air quality clean, safe and comfortable.

But first, let’s look at some common causes of poor indoor air quality during the summer months.

Common Causes for Poor Indoor Air Quality In Summer

It’s commonly assumed that air quality is worse in the summer than in the winter. But while we can confirm that air quality worsens in the summer, we cannot say that it is worse in one season vs. another.

All seasons in Canada have their own air quality risks. The important thing is to understand what those risks are so that you can mitigate the issue.

Besides the risk of wildfires, there are three other factors to consider.

Let’s explore them below:

Heat

Heat waves are something many Ontario residents are familiar with.

One second you’re enjoying a cool breeze at 23 degrees Celcius. The next, you’re thrown into 30 degrees weather with little to no wind!

These heat waves are typically short-lived. But wow, do they ever hit hard!

If you live in Sudbury, Ontario, you’re feeling the impact of a heat wave right now!

Temperatures have risen to 30 degrees or higher, and they’re not lowering until at least Monday.

Sudbury’s air quality index has already hit level 4 (moderate risk) in the last couple of days.

How does high heat affect air quality?

Extreme heat and stagnant air increase ozone and particulate pollution. It also can dry out the soil, increasing the risk of wildfires (hence our current dilemma in much of Canada).

Warmer temperatures can also cause early blooming and prolonged pollen production.

And lastly, warm temperatures paired with high moisture create the perfect environment for mould to thrive. This is humidity!

Humidity

High humidity refers to anything over 50%.

Currently, in Sudbury, Ontario, humidity is around 30-40%, which is fine. But have you noticed how things become quite muggy before a summer thunderstorm? 

That's a sign of high humidity!

Here's another:

Have you ever left your windows open and noticed your floors getting sticky? This is a direct result of the heavy moisture in the air.

If you read our last blog, you know all about the effects of high humidity. But if you missed it, here’s a quick recap!

Humidity is crucial for your internal air conditioning system - thermoregulation. This is the process your body goes through to maintain a healthy core body temperature.

If your body becomes too hot, thermoregulation immediately begins. Vasodilation or sweating are two tools your body uses to cool down.

Vasodilation occurs when your blood vessels widen. This widening increases blood flow to cooler areas of your skin. This moves the heat away from your internal core so that it does not overheat.

As that heat reaches your skin, sweat glands release sweat. As sweat releases, it evaporates from your skin - lowering your body temperature.

But there’s a catch.

This process of thermoregulation doesn’t work well if your environment is very humid. Your sweat cannot evaporate when the air is full of moisture. This makes your body vulnerable!

Health Effects of High Humidity:

• Fatigue,
• Muscle Cramping,
• Fainting,
• Dehydration, etc.

Humidity is also a breeding ground for dust mites, bacterial growth and allergens!

Allergens

Common allergens in your home during summer include dust mites, pet dander and pollen.

These three allergens thrive in the summer months due to high heat and moisture. If you don’t take the necessary precautions, they are likely to grow at an exponential rate!

In the past week, Sudbury’s allergy outlook stated a very high pollen count. 

While you may not be sensitive to these pollens, others in your family might be. This risk is why it’s so important to fend off these harmful air pollutants.

4 Products To Protect Your Home Air Quality

There are many ways to improve and protect your indoor air quality. Our indoor air quality experts have listed their top suggestions below:

Install Air Conditioning

Did you know that A/C is the number one way to protect against heat-related illness and death (CDC)?

Our last article discussed how air conditioning can help keep you safe during a heat wave. Wow, did we cover a lot of material there!

Interested in learning more about the benefits of air conditioning this summer? We encourage you to check out that article!

If you’re in the market for the cliff notes of the story, here are the top benefits of A/C we discussed:

• Helps maintain a healthy core body temperature.
• Reduces and controls humidity.
• Reduces the risk of dehydration and other heat-related health issues.
• Improves sleep.
• Improves indoor air quality.

At Campeau Heating, we offer a variety of air conditioning systems! Choose from our ductless, central, high velocity and geothermal lines.

Increase Air Ventilation

Adequate ventilation is vital for clean, healthy air. It is the process of exchanging air into and out of your home.

Whole home ventilators (ERVs or HRVs) are a great way to improve the air quality throughout your home.

Ventilation systems improve your indoor air quality by,

a) Removing pollutants, and

b) Bringing in fresh, filtered air from outside.

A Heat or Energy Recovery Ventilator: Which is More Effective?

Install an Air Purification/Filtration System

Filtering and purifying your indoor air with the right equipment is essential.

At Campeau Heating, we supply a variety of air-cleaning products, from UV to HEPA! Both of these systems have the power to remove and/or destroy harmful particles from your indoor air.

A UV purification system kills viruses, bacteria, protozoa, etc.

It can even kill mould spores!

A HEPA filter can remove dust, mould, bacteria and pollen. If there’s an airborne particle about 0.3 microns big floating around, you can count on your HEPA filter to catch it!

Improve Humidity Control

As mentioned above, humidity is one of the leading causes of poor air quality during the summer. And it isn’t just harmful to you! It can also damage furniture, flooring and other structural elements in your house. 

This is why humidity control is so vital.

Thankfully, there’s a reliable system that makes humidity control fast and simple!

A whole-home dehumidifier helps maintain a healthy humidity level in your home 24/7.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With Campeau Heating

At Campeau Heating, we care about your indoor air quality. Our team keeps your home as safe and comfortable as possible!

Not sure where to begin with your air quality improvement this summer?

Contact our experts at (705) 560-2441! We can help you choose the right products for your home, lifestyle and budget.

How Air Conditioning Can Help Keep You Safe During a Heat Wave

Air conditioning in Sudbury, Ontario, is more important than ever!

What was once considered a luxury is now necessary for most homes in Ontario.

Here’s why:

Temperatures in Ontario are unpredictable.

One day, you’re enjoying a beautiful cool breeze. The next, you’re escaping indoors to avoid a heat wave!

Summer temperatures can reach 30 degrees C, and humidity levels are no better - making it feel even hotter!

The Farmers’ Almanac actually released its forecast for summer 2023 recently. Apparently, we can expect this summer to be even warmer and dryer than typical years.

What does this mean for you?

Are there ways to lessen the danger and protect your health as the summer heat approaches?

Keep reading to find out!

The Dangers of Heat For Your Health

We’ve all heard the classic lines "wear sunscreen" or "throw a hat on" a thousand times.

With the danger of exposure to harmful UV rays, this isn’t anything new.

But what about the dangers associated with high heat?

Sunscreen and ballcaps only go so far in protecting your health.

The next step is to find a solution for high heat and humidity.

How dangerous can high summer heat be?

In severe cases, heat can be deadly.

According to Statistics Canada, 595 people died in BC due to one of the longest and hottest heat waves in Canadian history. This happened in 2021 - only two years ago!

Eleven years before that (2010), a heat wave in Quebec caused 280 deaths.

While these statistics are Canadian-based, not Ontario, we can’t deny how close to home they hit.

In our books, it's too close.

And it’s not just the fatal cases we need to worry about!

Exposure to high heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

There is also a risk of chronic conditions flaring. 

This typically only occurs when high temperatures of 32 degrees C or higher last two or more days. According to Aaron Bernstein of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, flare-ups can commonly occur in people who suffer from existing conditions like

• Migraines,
• Arthritis,
• Asthma,
• Cardiovascular disease, etc.

To sum it up, our bodies are not designed to handle high heat for long periods. According to Bernstein, “We’re warm-blooded, and our whole body is designed to operate within a narrow range of temperatures.”

If our body gets too hot, it can’t function properly. Our heart, lungs, brain and kidneys can malfunction or slow down. This is a huge risk for people with existing organ problems.

So, how can you protect yourself and your family from these health risks?

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid the outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing.
• Take cool showers.
• Check your local news or weather app for health and safety updates.

Another tip is to install whole home air conditioning!

Is Air Conditioning The Solution?

If you don’t currently have an air conditioning system installed, we highly recommend it.

According to the CDC, A/C is the number one way to protect against heat-related illness and death.

Below are some of the top health benefits of installing A/C:

Lower Your Core Body Temperature

The main purpose of an air conditioner is to cool and regulate the temperature of a given space, such as your home.

Once your home gets too warm, the A/C kicks on and begins removing excess heat and moisture.

The result is a temperature-controlled space that is safe and comfortable.

Did you know your body has a similar process when it gets too hot? It basically has a built-in air conditioning system called thermoregulation.

Thermoregulation occurs when your internal temperature (core body temperature) changes. If it becomes too hot, your body uses internal mechanisms to cool it down. These include sweating and vasodilation.

As you sweat, the moisture from your body evaporates off your skin, lowering your body temperature. But this process is quite challenging when the air is too humid for evaporation to occur.

That’s where air conditioning comes in to save the day!

A/C removes the excess moisture from your air, allowing your body to sweat properly. It also helps cool your environment - making it easier for your body to regulate its core temperature.

Reduce Humidity

High humidity is dangerous in your home. As mentioned above, it can reduce your body’s ability to cool naturally. But that’s not all. It can also cause fatigue, muscle cramping, fainting, dehydration, etc.

Thankfully, A/Cs are powerful multitaskers!

The system as a whole cools the home down. But, at the same time, the refrigerant within the system removes humidity from your air.

Here’s how that works:

A/Cs pull warm indoor air into the vents, through the return ducts and over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant within the coil absorbs the heat, which is then expelled into the condenser coil.

Then, as the now-cooled refrigerant returns to the evaporator coil, more warm air meets it. This forms condensation.

This condensation is the moisture in your home.

Once the moisture drips into the condensate pan, it flows into a drain pipe outdoors.

Voila - humidity control!

Reduce the Risk of Dehydration

As your body undergoes thermoregulation, you can lose a lot of water. And, as you know, your body needs water to function. Without it, mental and physical performance can deteriorate.

Air conditioning reduces the body’s need to sweat, thus helping prevent dehydration.

Get Better Sleep

Trying to sleep in a hot environment is challenging, uncomfortable and dangerous.

While you’re trying to sleep in this heat, your body works to try and regulate its internal temperature. This means a lot of sweat, discomfort and potential dehydration.

Air conditioning creates a cool environment that’s ideal for optimal rest. This makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep!

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Investing in indoor air quality is vital to protecting your health.

Do you have underlying health conditions, such as asthma or allergies? If so, A/C is especially crucial.

Air conditioning circulates and filters your indoor air - removing pollutants and allergens!

Contact Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario

Looking for quality air conditioning in Sudbury, Ontario? Contact our A/C experts at Campeau Heating!

We’ll help you find the right air conditioner for your home, lifestyle and budget.

Call today at 705-560-2441 or shop online!