Most people don’t know that indoor air is three to five times more contaminated than outdoor air says the EPA. Homeowners around Placer County are making energy upgrades that tighten their home’s envelope in order to decrease air infiltration. These improvements are fantastic and impactful they also make it more important to ensure your home has ample ventilation. There are many sources of indoor air pollutants in every home and it’s helpful to minimize them while boosting healthy practices. We have 3 steps you can easily take for cleaner air.
1. Prevent Mold and Moisture
Mold triggers allergic reactions, aggravates asthma and even produces toxins. It doesn’t even matter whether someone is allergic to mold. It can still irritate the eyes, nose, skin, throat and lungs. Moisture promotes mold growth and wet surfaces start growing mold in 24 to 48 hours. Look for mold around leaky plumbing fixtures, your foundation, and windows and beware of leaks from the roof, humidifiers, and sprinkler systems. To prevent mold growth you must eliminate the moisture source from the home, clean up the mold and replace items that can’t be adequately cleaned like carpeting, furniture, and ceiling tiles. For more severe water damage and mold growth, consult an expert.
2. Install a Whole House-Ventilation System
One of the ways to improve air quality is to increase the fresh air to the home. Heat recovery ventilation systems remove pollutants and provide fresh air to your home. Ventilation Systems supply a stream of fresh air by transferring heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air.
3. Use Low-Emission Products
Products we use in our homes release something called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC’s are known or suspected carcinogens. To minimize to formaldehyde and other VOCs be aware of the products you bring into your home. You should allow new furniture and carpeting to air out for a few days before bringing it inside. Using solid wood products and furniture when possible to avoid the VOC’s in particleboard and plywood or in the alternative be sure that pressed wood products are sealed on each side.
If your system isn’t keeping pace give us a call. We know that the best and most economical system is one that doesn’t have to work hard and that happens because the house works like it was designed. Call our comfort team at (916) 775-7492.