Category: Air Quality

The quality of the air you breathe has an impact on your health. This is why maintaining good indoor air quality, or IAQ, in the home and workplace are so important. Indoor smoking bans across the nation have done a lot to improve indoor air but many other airborne contaminants are still IAQ threats. Top Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Threats Gas Appliances Carbon monoxide has no color or odor and it can be deadly. A small amount of this noxious gas is released every time a gas appliance turns on. The exposure is minimal unless there is something wrong with the equipment. You should have your gas appliances inspected by a professional as part of your preventive home maintenance plan. Install home CO alarms away from vents and choose devices that signal a warning when it is time for replacement. Paint And Furniture The PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) found in wall paint and protective coatings for carpeting and the upholstery on your furniture are helpful for repelling stains and water but they are toxic when released into the air. Scented Fragrances Many scented products, including cleaners, air fresheners, shampoos, lotions and bath soaps emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs gain

If you think you can escape polluted air indoors, think again. Depending on your habits, lifestyle and your home’s structure, the air indoors may present more problems than the air you breathe outdoors. With the addition of air quality products that can purify air by reducing and eliminating unwanted pollutants, you and your family can enjoy a healthier and fresher environment indoors. Some of the most important air quality products you should consider include: Air Purifiers An air purifier is one of the most popular air quality products installed in homes where there are household members who suffer from asthma and allergies. Air purifiers work by passing air through filters to remove particles and other pollutants. Once the air comes out of the purifier, its pollutant content is significantly reduced. Many of today’s cooling and heating systems have a built-in air purifier, although many homes still install a stand-alone unit for extra protection. Some of the most common types of air purifiers sold in the market include: HEPA filters – High Efficiency Particulate Air purifiers that can eliminate particulates as small as 0.3 micrometers Ozone Generators – capable of turning oxygen molecules into ozone that disinfects the air and removes unpleasant odor

Many potential home buyers are actively looking to relocate in the spring and summer months, and this makes the warmer months of the year a very busy time for the real estate market. If you have decided to buy an existing home or build your dream home, indoor air quality is something that should be a priority. There are ways you can ensure that your future home is healthy and safe for all the members of your family by dealing with these concerns before you make a buying decision. Indoor Air Concerns for New Home Buyers When you decide to purchase a new home, you give yourself the best opportunity to ensure that your indoor air quality is healthy. During the past 10 years, home builders have noted that consumers have been asking for “green” building materials more often. They want to buy homes built with flooring, cabinet materials and other products that are environmentally sustainable and free from dangerous chemicals. Bamboo is a popular choice for flooring, and it is an example of an environmentally friendly building product. Reclaimed oak, which is usually found locally, is another one, and is a better choice than traditional oak for flooring when

Extreme weather events can negatively impact indoor air quality, which may lead to serious health consequences. With weather events such as heat waves, storms and floods increasing in recent years, air quality should be on every homeowner’s radar. Higher Temperatures Bring Air Quality Problems Intense heat waves can make it miserable to be outdoors, but it can also create problems for those who stay indoors. Heat may trigger various events that threaten indoor air quality. Heat increases the production of pollen, which gets into the air both indoors and outdoors. A good air filter should remove most of the pollen from your indoor air, but a significant increase in the overall amount of pollen will increase the amount that makes it through the filter and into your home. Rising temperatures, and the associated rise in energy costs, inspire many homeowners to improve their weatherization. However, the nature of weatherization—limiting the movement of air between indoors and outdoors—can worsen air quality problems. Super efficient and weather-tight homes rely entirely on mechanical systems for fresh air, and any problems in those systems can send indoor air quality plummeting. Air Quality Threats From Storms and Flooding Violent storms that cause brownouts or blackouts

With so many household chores to complete, many people overlook important HVAC maintenance tasks. One crucial objective is to perform an air filter change three to four times per year. Three-inch or smaller filters should be replaced after 90 days; larger units need to be changed every four months. This type of heating and cooling system maintenance can prevent health problems, enhance comfort, reduce air pollution and cut operating costs. Changing Your Air Filter Enhances Energy Efficiency Compared to new filters, grimy units make it considerably harder for air to move through the system. They have the potential to raise fuel or electric power consumption by as much as 15 percent. For example, a dirty air filter could boost a home’s annual cooling costs from $900 to $1,035. Keep in mind that some types of new HVAC filters operate more efficiently than others. Promote System Reliability & Performance The added energy costs associated with a clogged filter are often minimal compared to the repair bills. It may begin to cause mechanical problems after excessive amounts of dirt accumulate on coils or motors. This results in costly service calls, repair work and part replacements. Another problem is that it may force