Everyone cares about the air they breathe and seems to have an opinion on the state of IAQ and how to improve it.
IAQ is a topic that often draws a variety of opinions and so-called “hot takes” from outside the HVAC industry. While many aspects of the industry fail to garner mainstream attention, IAQ is frequently discussed on mainstream outlets such as WebMD and the Washington Post.
Air quality, in general, is at the forefront of the public’s consciousness. This especially rings true in China, where the country’s leaders recently issued their first ever “red alert” for smog over Beijing. In that instance, schools closed and traffic was restricted due to the poor air quality in the city.
Those actually responsible for shaping the future of IAQ products have taken notice of the swelling public interest, and trends in the marketplace show products are becoming more interconnected and accessible to the average consumer.
One in 12 people (about 25 million, or 8 percent of the U.S. population) had asthma in 2009, compared with one in 14 (about 20 million, or 7 percent) in 2001, per the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Similarly, 55 percent of the U.S. population tests positive to one or more allergens, per WebMD.
As consumer interest and awareness rises, so, too, does the need for interconnectivity among devices in the home, business facility, and more. Smarter products have become a key aspect of the HVAC industry as a whole, and IAQ products are certainly following the trend in that regard.
This article originally posted on ACHRNews.com.
