FACTS ABOUT INDOOR AIR QUALITY –

Indoor air quality is one of the most essential elements in our homes, yet it's often overlooked because you can't see it. There's nothing good about bad air. It shows up at your house unannounced, pokes around in places it doesn't belong, and makes everyone in your family uncomfortable. Ignore it, and it gets nasty and sometimes even dangerous.
Luckily, there's a way to get bad air out of the picture--and take control of your family's comfort and health.

Research has shown that indoor air quality has an impact in three main areas:

Health - Fresher, more breathable air that's virtually free of potentially harmful contaminants, including small, breathable particles, airborne mould spores, bacteria, viruses and odours/chemical vapours.
Cleanliness - A home environment with a minimal amount of dust, dirt and odours.
Comfort - Proper humidity, air distribution and temperature control.

Studies show that no home is immune to indoor air quality problems:

New homes tend to have a higher concentration of chemicals. Older homes can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew. And all homes, no matter how clean they appear, are contaminated with dirt and dust. Some people can develop sever allergic reactions to pollen and pet dander, while others experience only mild symptoms. Similarly, exposure to low levels of chemicals may be irritating to some but not others. The Mayo Clinic has found that air cleaners attached to whole house systems are generally more effective in removing pollutants than freestanding air cleaners.

The American Medical Association has stated that:

• Most people spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors.
• 50% of all illness is caused by or is aggravated by polluted indoor air.

What we read from the EPA is that there are three main areas of concern for indoor air quality:

1) Source Control
2) Ventilation
3) Filtration

Source Control is the first step to improving indoor air. Identifying the sources of air pollutants and eliminating these sources, to the fullest extent feasible, is the most effective way to clean the air. Chemicals in carpets, household cleaners, furniture and building materials, just to mention a few, all contribute to poor air quality. Damp basements and other areas where standing water is prevalent can become the breeding grounds for pollutants such as mold, mildew and other microbes. Although it is not possible to eliminate every contaminant source, reducing the sources and/or the amount of pollutants they emit will contribute to a healthier living environment.

Ventilation plays an important role in improving indoor air quality because, of course, not every source can be eliminated completely. In an effort to increase energy efficiency, today's homes are being built tighter, making it difficult to have the proper amount of exchange between indoor and outdoor air. Improper ventilation can lead to an increase in the concentration of pollutants in the home. Ventilation within the home can also be increased by the installation of an outdoor air connection or the use of a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), or energy recovery ventilator (ERV). HRVs and ERVs work similarly, bringing fresh air into the home and exhausting stale air out. They conserve energy from indoor conditioned air and transfer it to incoming outside air.

Filtration is cleaning the circulated air that is in the home, generally removing dust and other airborne particles. Actual cleaning or purifying products have evolved into sterilizing biological organisms with ultra violet light (UV) and removing odours with catalytic cells.

Three simple strategies to improve your home's indoor air quality:

* PureAir™ air purification system and germicidal lights only

Steps you can take NOW to enhance your indoor air quality:

1) Store household cleaners, paint solvents and chemical products in tightly sealed containers. If possible, keep them outdoors.
2) Clean and vacuum at least once a week.
3) Regularly wash bed linens and stuffed toys.
4) Keep windows closed when pollen, pollution or humidity levels are high.
5) Ask us to test the air in your home for dust, pollen, chemicals and other pollutants.
6) If you live in a new home, make sure it is properly ventilated. (Modern homes are well-insulated and sealed which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape.)
7) Keep humidity levels within a healthy comfortable range to prevent growth of mold and mildew. A range of 25% to 55% is recommended.
8) Avoid using scented deodorizers and odour-masking air fresheners which may contain toxic chemicals.
9) Have your HVAC system regularly inspected to make sure it is clean and in good operating condition.
10) Choose furnishings that emit the smallest possible amount of chemical vapours.
11) Do not allow smoking inside the home and make sure all gas appliances are properly vented.

Want more information? See the Lennox web site or contact us.