IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) is a catch-all term for everything in the air inside your home. The four main categories are particulate matter (dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke), biological contaminants (mold, bacteria, viruses, dust mites), gaseous contaminants (VOCs, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, radon), and humidity.
Each category has its own solution. Mixing them — installing a "one box does everything" purifier — usually means each function is mediocre. The right approach is to identify the actual symptom (sneezing, musty smell, persistent dust, etc.) and target the source.
HVAC accessories for IAQ include filters (particulate), UV-C lamps (biological), activated carbon (gaseous), dehumidifiers (humidity), and dedicated ventilation (overall freshness via outdoor air exchange).
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