ABSTRACT
Overlooked and underappreciated, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the heart and blood of a building. It is the central conveyance of all indoor air contaminants. It may capture and entrain outdoor pollutants. It may be the source of poor indoor air quality, or it may provide the means for improving indoor air quality.
HVAC systems are designed to provide air exchange, air cooling/heating, and air distribution throughout a building. Sometimes indoor air quality and HVAC design and maintenance are in conflict. As part of an indoor air quality assessment, an HVAC system should be inspected for abnormalities. The inspection should include, but not be limited to, the air handling unit, ducts, air intake, and supply vents.
