Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
As homes continue to be built tighter and existing homes become upgraded with better windows and insulation, our indoor air quality becomes more of a concern, so much so that studies show that indoor air is more polluted than air outdoors – up to 7x! Most homeowners are aware of regularly replacing air filters on forced-air systems, but there is much more that can be done to prevent unwanted pollutants to improve health and comfort, especially when a family member suffers from allergies or other respiratory ailments.
Sources Indoor air pollutants: The most dangerous sources of indoor air pollutants are Carbon Monoxide (CO), Radon, and second-hand smoke. Other sources of indoor pollutants are off-gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s from products like paints, and carpets as well as chemical cleaners. Moisture can also be hazardous as it can potentially lead to mold growth and promote the growth of dust mites, cockroaches, bacteria, and viruses. Also, pesticides should be an absolute last resort to removing unwanted guests.
What can be done? Common sense will go a long way; on nice days open windows to allow ventilation, use exhaust fans when taking hot showers and in the kitchen. Do not warm-up a car in a garage or run a portable generator inside. Purchase products, like paint, that are have low or no VOC’s, and even better find some good home remedies to tackle cleaning or pest problems, it will save you money, be healthier for everyone and probably work just as well. Also, invest in some houseplants, they will actually help clean the air as well as spruce up any living space, just avoid too much watering.
Still not satisfied? At Zimmerman’s we offer countless solutions to make your home healthy, comfortable, and reliable. Below are some of the products and services that we can provide to help improve you and your homes health:
Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms – A must for any home with a fuel burning appliance
Upgraded Air Filter or Air Purifier – Captures smaller particulates like bacteria, pollen, smoke, and more. These can even kill germs and allergens.
Ultraviolet Air Purifier – Kills germs, allergens, bacteria, and odors throughout the home. Also helps to prevent biological growth within ductwork.
Whole-house Humidifier and Dehumidifier – Increases or decreases humidity levels which results in improved air quality year round
Ventilator – Moves stale air out while bringing fresh, outside air in
Duct Cleaning – Improves air flow, removes dirt/debris, keeps HVAC system cleaner. This is recommended roughly every 10 years or when buying an existing home
Additional Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants
