If you have been told by an HVAC contractor that their “indoor air quality testing” also covers carbon monoxide, it is time to STOP and look a little closer. While both terms get thrown around together, indoor air quality (IAQ) and carbon monoxide (CO) are not the same thing, and treating them like they are can be dangerous.
What is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor air quality, sometimes called indoor environmental quality, refers to the condition of the air inside your home or building and how it impacts your comfort and health. Poor IAQ can be caused by things like:
- Humidity problems
- Stale, unventilated air
- Mold from water damage
- Chemicals or allergens in the air
These issues can make people uncomfortable, cause allergy flare-ups, or lead to long-term respiratory irritation, especially for children, the elderly, or anyone with preexisting health conditions.
The catch? There are no enforceable OSHA regulations for indoor air quality. IAQ is about comfort and health, but it is not tightly regulated.
Is Carbon Monoxide IAQ?
Carbon monoxide is in a category of its own. It is an invisible, odorless, and deadly gas that comes from fuel-burning appliances when combustion is not complete. Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and even cars running in an attached garage can all produce CO.
Unlike IAQ concerns, which are often about comfort, carbon monoxide is a life-safety hazard. Even at low levels, CO can make you sick. At higher levels, it can kill. For this reason, OSHA sets strict limits for carbon monoxide exposure in the workplace.
Why “CO Testing” Under IAQ Services is Misleading
Some contractors list carbon monoxide testing as part of their IAQ package. But a true CO test is not the same as checking for mold or humidity. Real CO testing requires:
- A full inspection of combustion appliances
- Testing for proper draft and venting
- Measuring CO levels with calibrated instruments
- Confirming the equipment is safe under real operating conditions
Simply pointing an IAQ meter around the house is not enough to detect or protect you from carbon monoxide.
The Bottom Line
Indoor air quality problems can make life uncomfortable and affect long-term health. Carbon monoxide, however, is an immediate, potentially fatal threat that requires specialized testing and expertise.
Do not let anyone blur the line between the two. If you’re worried about IAQ, testing can help you understand comfort issues. But if you are concerned about carbon monoxide, you need a professional trained in combustion safety and CO diagnostics, not just an “IAQ test.”
Vince Marino Plumbing, llc is an NCI Certified Carbon Monoxide And Combustion Analyst
Certification #: 22-039-01
Schedule a Complete Combustion Analysis with Vince. Make this one less thing you need to worry about.
