Improving The Air You Breathe

As winter approaches, homeowners are concerned with keeping their homes warm and snug. But as we caulk and weatherstrip to seal our homes, we need to stop and consider the quality of the air we are sealing in.

We spend an estimated 90% of our time indoors, and about 65% of that time in our homes, so it’s no wonder indoor air quality is becoming a growing concern.

So what is a homeowner to do? Here are a few tips to improve the air you breathe:

• Install an electronic air cleaner or a static electric furnace filter to remove suspended particles in household air.
• Be diligent about changing the filters in your furnace and humidifier every month.
• Arrange to have ducts cleaned every few years.
• Wipe down baseboards and vacuum cold air returns and heating vents regularly.
• Go green with cleaning products to eliminate toxic fumes.
• If people in your home are complaining about headaches, drowsiness, allergies, nose and throat irritations, and frequent colds, you might want to investigate a whole-house mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. These “fresh air” systems provide a continuous supply of filtered air while exhausting the stale indoor air. At the same time, the heat recovery device reduces energy use by capturing the heat from the air being exhausted and transferring it to the incoming air, reversing the process in the summer months.
• Keep the humidity level between 30 and 50% during the winter months.
• On warmer days, open the windows for a few minutes to circulate fresh air.
• Have the carpeting in your home professionally cleaned at least once a year with a hot water extraction method to reach deep into the fibers.
• Replace carpeting with allergen-free hardwood flooring.
• Wash draperies to remove dust and dirt.
• If you purchase new carpeting, beware of off-gassing. Make sure the area is well-ventilated following installation. Look for the Canadian Carpet Institute’s Indoor Air Quality label on new carpet products.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help your family breathe a little easier this winter.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club