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WHY IS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPORTANT?
Poor indoor air
quality (IAQ) is a serious problem
facing homeowners today, according
to the American Lung Association.
The roots of this problem can be
traced directly to the desire for
energy-efficient homes to minimize
the effects of higher energy costs.
Unfortunately, making homes tighter
and more energy efficient also
reduces the naturally occurring
exchange of indoor and outdoor air.
Fresh outside air stays out, while
air pollutants, excessive humidity
and/or overly dry conditions
stagnate the indoor air over time.
While homeowners
can't see the majority of indoor air
contaminants, they certainly see the
effects. These microscopic
particles slowly stain walls,
ceilings, furniture, drapes and
carpets. Lack of humidity
control can keep a home damp and
sticky, while excessive dryness can
crack woodwork and antiques, or
create static electricity and dry
skin. Particles attaching to
your home's interior have to be
scrubbed, laundered or dry cleaned
away at the expense of the
homeowner's time, money and effort.
But costly cleaning
isn't the only consequence of dirty,
humid, or dry indoor air. It
is estimated that one in ten people
living in North America suffer from
asthma or allergies, and pollen,
mold spores and dust-mite debris are
among the most troublesome triggers
of such ailments. Likewise,
bacteria and viruses that can be
found in indoor air have the
potential to cause and spread
disease.
Every cubic foot of
air breathed carries a mixture of
millions of these tiny annoyances.
In small concentrations, these
particles and gases may cause
discomfort in the home. In
significant concentrations, they can
cause sickness.
Surprisingly or not,
96.7% of North American homes have
at least 1 of 6 common indoor air
quality (IAQ) problems detailed
below.
CONTROLLING INDOOR AIR POLLUTION -
IN THREE WAYS
REDUCTION
Filters or neutralizes particulates
found in indoor air.
Air Cleaners
installed just ahead of the
heating and cooling equipment remove
a portion of airborne pollutants
each time air is pulled into the
return air ducts.
DILUTION
Replaces a portion of the indoor air
with fresh outdoor air. This
process occurs naturally in all
homes, but at different rates
depending on the structure's
tightness. Opening windows is
one way to increase the pace of air
exchange, although it's an
energy-wasting solution.
Energy-efficient ERV and HRV
ventilation systems exchange indoor
air for outdoor air while recovering
most of the energy used to heat or
cool the air being exhausted.
Controlling fresh air entering the
home allows it to be conditioned by
an efficient
Air Cleaner
,
Dehumidifier
and
UV Treatment System
prior to passing through the home's
furnace or air conditioner.
SOURCE CONTROL
Involves eliminating air pollutants
before they enter the home.
For example, by not allowing people
to smoke or have pets in the home,
homeowners practice source control.
Such examples are not always
practical. Installing
whole-house
Humidifiers,
Dehumidifiers
and
UV Treatment Systems
help stop the problem before
they start. By maintaining
optimal relative humidity levels in
the home with humidity control
equipment, and sterilizing pathogens
with
UV Treatment Systems
,
homeowners deter such harmful
contaminants as mold, mildew,
bacteria and viruses from forming.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY HOMEOWNER
CHECKLIST
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Are you
exposed to indoor air
pollutants such as mold,
bacteria, pollen, animal
dander or tobacco smoke? |
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Do you have
dry air? |
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Do you have
static cling and/or static
electricity in the winter? |
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do you have
woodwork, wood furnishings,
artwork, wooden musical
instruments or collectibles
that need to be protected
and preserved? |
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Do you have
window condensation when
temperatures drop? |
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Do you own
pets? |
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Do you have
small children? |
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Does the
indoor air seem stale during
winter months? |
QUICK TIPS
Consider these simple
strategies to improve your homes IAQ.
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Control
pollution at the source.
For example, keep windows
closed during the prime
ragweed season. |
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Ventilate
your home. Use exhaust
fans when you cook or take a
shower, and refresh your air
with a Ventilation System. |
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Filter the
air with a whole-house
Air Cleaner
. |
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Treat the air
with an ultraviolet air
treatment system. |
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Maintain the
correct relative humidity
levels with a whole-house
Humidifier
and/or
Dehumidifier
. |
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