What role do HVAC systems play in managing indoor air quality?

HVAC systems play a crucial role in managing indoor air quality by influencing indoor air pollutant concentrations. They do this through several mechanisms, such as filtering, circulating, and conditioning the air.

By utilizing filters, HVAC systems can remove particulate matter and some gaseous pollutants from the air, which contributes to lowering the concentration of these pollutants indoors. Additionally, proper ventilation, which is a key component of HVAC systems, helps in diluting indoor pollutants by bringing in fresh outdoor air. This exchange of air helps to control the levels of contaminants that can accumulate in indoor spaces, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), allergens, or other chemical pollutants resulting from various indoor activities and materials.

While temperature and humidity control are important aspects of HVAC systems, they serve a secondary role in relation to indoor air quality. Proper humidity levels can help reduce the growth of mold and dust mites, which can be significant factors in air quality, but the primary influence on pollutant concentrations comes from the filtration and ventilation functions of the system. Similarly, while circulation is a component of air management, it is not as direct in managing pollutant levels as the overall filtration and ventilation strategies employed by HVAC systems.

Eliminating all pollutants entirely is not feasible with HVAC systems, as