Question 1

What is the difference between a consultant and an HVAC contractor?

Accepted Answer

An HVAC contractor typically arrives ready to install or service equipment. An indoor air quality consultant like RBM Group arrives ready to measure and diagnose. RBM assesses what is actually present in your home's air before any product or system is discussed. This diagnostics-first approach means recommendations are based on real data rather than assumptions about what the home probably needs.

Question 2

How do I know if my home's air quality is affecting me?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms can include persistent fatigue, headaches, brain fog, dry or irritated eyes, throat or nose irritation, and poor sleep quality that improves when you spend time away from the building. These are common indicators that something in the indoor environment may be worth measuring — but symptoms alone cannot identify which factors are present or at what levels. Testing provides the actual data.

Question 3

Can poor air quality affect thinking and focus?

Accepted Answer

Research has identified elevated CO₂ concentration as a factor associated with reduced cognitive performance including focus, decision-making, and response time. In well-sealed or poorly ventilated spaces, CO₂ can accumulate through normal human activity. Reducing CO₂ through improved ventilation or fresh-air exchange is one of the interventions that can support better indoor conditions for thinking and productivity.

Question 4

Can indoor air quality affect mood and energy levels?

Accepted Answer

A combination of factors — including elevated CO₂, VOC concentrations, poor ventilation, and humidity extremes — can contribute to physical discomfort and reduced energy. While RBM does not make claims about direct health outcomes, these factors are measurable and, when elevated, can be addressed through targeted recommendations.

Question 5

What are the physical symptoms of poor indoor air quality?

Accepted Answer

Common physical indicators include headaches, fatigue, dry or irritated eyes and throat, skin dryness, respiratory irritation, and worsening allergy symptoms indoors. These can stem from a variety of measurable air quality factors including PM2.5, VOCs, humidity, CO₂, and CO. Symptoms alone are not a diagnosis — measurement is needed to determine what is actually present.

Question 6

What is Sick Building Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Sick Building Syndrome refers to a pattern where occupants experience acute health or comfort symptoms linked to time spent in a specific building, without an identified illness being diagnosed. Contributing factors can include poor ventilation, elevated CO₂, chemical off-gassing, mould-supporting moisture, and inadequate filtration. Measurement and building assessment can help identify which factors are present.

Question 7

What happens if poor air quality is not addressed long-term?

Accepted Answer

Long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of radon, VOCs, fine particles, CO₂, and other air quality factors can contribute to a range of health concerns depending on the specific pollutant and exposure level. RBM does not overstate outcomes or make medical claims — but the established connection between long-term radon exposure and health risk is documented by Health Canada and the WHO. Testing and targeted improvements are the practical steps available.

Indoor Air Quality FAQ

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