IAQ Analysis

Roscoe Brown, Inc. takes the consultative approach when selling indoor air quality add-ons and upgrades. The basic aim is to offer these solutions for: health reasons, cleanliness reasons and comfort reasons.

First an analysis is made from test results provided by an AirAdvice monitor. The monitor measures the following:

Temperature - where levels that are above 81°F is considered “above the recommended range” and less than 68.5°F daily average is “below the recommended range”.

Relative Humidity - where levels greater than 55% daily average is “higher than the recommended maximum and less than 25% daily average is “below the recommended average”.

Particulates Matter - has a reporting threshold where greater than 40 É g/m3 sustained for one hour or more is “elevated” by measuring particles between 2.5 and 7 microns in size.

Carbon Monoxide - is considered “elevated” when the level is greater than 25 PPM for one hour.

Total Volatile Organic Compounds - with levels above 400 É g/m3 is considered “moderately elevated” and above 750 É g/m3 is “significantly elevated”.

Any recommendation uses the four basic IAQ solution strategies as recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Different equipment is used to address the specific problems discovered by the exploratory process to offer a “Whole House” solution.

1. Eliminate – According to the EPA the best method of improving IAQ is with source control.

2. Ventilate – The second best method to improve IAQ is by improving the ventilation in the space. Energy Recovery Ventilators are used with high-efficient total enthalpy heat exchanger cores. Humidifiers and De-Humidifiers are provided as a standalone unit or installed in the air conditioning system with controls and fill / drain handling devices built in.

3. Clean – Filtration for Particulates / Allergens. Pleated MERV 8 for residential and MERV 11 for commercial units are used with filter depths up to 5” to reduce pressure drop. Self-contained HEPA filters with integral fans ducted into the return air are used in addition to the pre-filter for additional cleanliness.

Purification for Bioaerosols and Microorganisms

UV lights constantly irradiating the wet side of cooling coils and multiple UV lights in the return air plenum are used to reduce bioaerosols and improve heat exchange efficiency.

Oxidation for Chemical Gases, Odor Control and Volatile Organic Compounds.

Photocatalytic Oxidation and Photohydroionization™ devices are installed in the supply duct to cycle with on and off with the system fan.

4. Monitor – Diagnosis / Comfort Controls

Programmable thermostats, zoning and ductwork improvements may be part of the solution.