How Healthy is Your Home’s Air?

Four Steps to Cleaner Indoor Air

 

According to a recent study by the EPA, it is estimated that the average American citizen spends almost 90% of their time indoors.  This same study found that levels of certain pollutants are considerably higher than outdoors, ranging from two to 50 times higher for pollutants such as radon, formaldehyde, styrene and chloroform.  

 

When we mention or think about the potential poor quality of the air we breathe, most envision a brown cloud of smog hanging over a major city.  However, the air quality found inside our homes is often much more polluted than any congested interstate.  Combined with the amount of time we are exposed to this poor quality of air, it becomes a major concern when considering what type of heating, air conditioning and ventilation system we can install or buy for our homes.

 

Current technology has made controlling the air quality indoors much more effective and efficient.  Advances in heating, cooling and filtration can significantly reduce or eliminate many toxins in our household environment.  The biggest advances in the field, though, have come in the detection and analysis of how our homes have become so polluted.  Armed with this information, consumers can now make intelligent choices about how they combat indoor air pollution and maintain the best air quality in their homes. 

 

Most indoor air pollution is caused by either the products we use in the home or by environmental causes.  The materials used in modern home construction can contain a soup of chemicals and toxins.  Compounds such as styrene, formaldehyde and benzene are emitted constantly from products as diverse as particle boards and plywood, carpeting, wallpaper and paints.  Environmental substances such as radon, lead, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are produced by our own actions, including smoking, fireplace use and even simply burning a candle.

 

Home owners can take action to assure the air within their home is not harming them.  Today’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units can effectively reduce the amount of harmful chemicals and allergens if used routinely and with the latest innovations.

 

Filters

The first line of defense in any home’s air quality program is the filter.  There are many different types of filters from which home owners can choose.  The replaceable filters most of us are familiar with are usually made of polyester or some other synthetic material.  While these can catch large particles, like dog hair, airborne debris and some larger dust particles, they will not capture smaller, and often more dangerous, chemicals or fumes.  In order to begin ridding your home of airborne irritants such as fine dust, animal dander, and other particulate pollutants, homeowners should consider using either an electrostatic or HEPA filter.  The advantages to both are that they trap much higher percentages of much smaller particles.  Electrostatic filters have a self-renewing electrical charge which attracts small particles of dust and dander.  HEPA filters can achieve close to 100% filtration of even the smallest particles.  While both cost marginally more than the average polyester or mesh filter, the advantages are clear – and cleaner air.  

Humidifiers

We often don’t think that humidity has anything to do with air quality.  But if your home’s air is too moist, fungi, mold and viruses can blossom to unhealthy levels.  Should your air be too dry, dust and airborne particulates increase in by many fold.  So achieving the proper level of humidity in your home is an excellent way of improving its air quality.  The ideal humidity in your home is between 45% and 65%.  Many home HVAC systems can help stabilize and maintain this ideal range by use of either an auxiliary humidifier or a dehumidifier or desiccant which is integrated into the unit.  This can be of major importance should your local weather pose special problems.  In coastal areas and areas prone to heavy rainfall, a dehumidifying system can offer improved comfort and air quality.  In dry, arid areas, a humidifier can not only provide cleaner air, but also alleviate many conditions brought about by dry air quality, such as asthma, dry skin and increased chance of infection.

Building Materials

Perhaps the best way to improve your home’s air quality is to avoid the pollutants all together from the start.  Most building materials “off-gas” the chemicals used in their productions.  Plywood, fiberboard and composite or laminate wood products are the chief offenders.  Carpets, textiles, drapery and wallpapers also contribute to a mixture of exotic gasses and compounds.  When selecting materials used in your homes construction, or when buying new products, take into consideration how they were constructed.  Many producers of these items now offer labeling which outlines their “green” content.  Take advantage of this information also when purchasing your HVAC systems.  Make sure that the exhaust from your system contains minimal toxins and is vented properly.  Additionally, your heating, air conditioning and ventilation system should be manufactured with a low level of potentially pollutant-creating materials.  

Ventilation

It is unlikely, even with the best efforts and above methods, that you will completely rid your home’s air of all pollutants.  The best way to improve the air quality indoors is to circulate it so any residual toxins will be quickly removed and vented to the outside.  All HVAC systems by definition will circulate and ventilate your home.  Some, however, do so more efficiently than others.  While you may spend a lot of time choosing your HVAC system based on factors such as cost, efficiency and features, an equal amount of time must be spent in choosing your ventilation system.  Ducts should be cleaned regularly to avoid buildup and debris.  The ducts should also be designed with the volume of air being moved in mind.  If they are too small, air will not be sufficiently vented.  If they are too large, the volume of air being moved will not be sufficient.