New Year – Cleaner Indoor Air
Yeah, you were probably thinking I would use something like “New Year, New You”. Not so much. We all see and hear enough of that this time of year. We get bombarded with things to improve ourselves…gym memberships, weight loss programs, health food store locations…the list goes on and on and on and on. You get the picture. Not that all of that is bad. We probably need somewhat of a reminder and a kick start. My point is that although we should do things to improve our well being, it’s not all what we do in and for our person. We can actually do something to improve life for all of those living in our home. Yep, we can take steps to improve our indoor breathing atmosphere, which will definitely improve the quality of life for those we love and live with. So, doing things to improve your indoor air quality is a win for everyone and a great way to start out a wonderful new year.
Here are a few tips I discovered from the CNCA (Cancer Nutrition Centers of America):
1. Minimize Pollutant Sources: Avoid spraying pesticides, chemical cleaners, air fresheners and other synthetic products in your home. Also minimize your use of paint thinner and other solvents, and look for non-toxic, low-VOC or zero-VOC paints.
If you will be purchasing new furniture, carpeting, cabinetry or flooring, look for those made of green building materials, as these will not outgas VOCs the way conventional building supplies will.
2. Increase Ventilation: Most heating and cooling systems do not circulate fresh air into your home, so in order to help keep your home well-ventilated you should consider using window or attic fans, kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, or a window air conditioner with the vent control open.
Opening windows as weather permits is also important, especially when you’re using products that generate high levels of pollutants (such as paint or paint thinner).
Some newer homes may also have the option of air-to-air heat exchangers, which bring outdoor air into the home while still being energy efficient.
3. Test Your Home for Radon: Testing radon levels in your home is the only way to detect it. Contact a qualified radon service professional in your area to find out about testing and, if levels are elevated, steps for removal.
4. Control Moisture: Keeping the humidity level in your home between 30-60 percent will help keep dust mites, mold and mildew under control.8
5. Keep Your Home Clean: Regularly dusting and vacuuming your home will help keep dust mites, pollen, dander, and certain other biological air pollutants to a minimum.
6. Consider an Air Cleaner: Air filters and cleaners can help to remove toxins from your home’s air, but they vary widely in effectiveness. For instance, most table-top models will not remove particles from the air as well as whole-house systems. According to the EPA, here’s what to look for when choosing an air cleaner for your home:
“The effectiveness of an air cleaner depends on how well it collects pollutants from indoor air (expressed as a percentage efficiency rate) and how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element (expressed in cubic feet per minute).A very efficient collector with a low air-circulation rate will not be effective, nor will a cleaner with a high air-circulation rate but a less efficient collector. The long-term performance of any air cleaner depends on maintaining it according to the manufacturer’s directions.”Source: http://www.cncahealth.com/explore/learn/green-living/tips-to-improve-indoor-air-quality#.VK1wMMbJ7TN
Hopefully you find this informational and useful. Of course, we would like to add that having your air ducts cleaned to start with a clean slate would also be an excellent idea. Give us a call or visit our site and get a free estimate.