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Eliminating The Sources of Indoor
Pollutants |
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The
first step to better indoor air is to identify the sources
of air pollutants. Eliminating the sources of indoor
pollutants, to the extent feasible, is the most effective
way to clean your air. |
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Do
not allow smoking inside your home |
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If
possible, keep pets outdoors |
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Immediately
dry or replace damp carpet |
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Do
not store household cleaners or other chemicals
in occupied living spaces |
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Can't
Eliminate? Then Ventilate |
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Years
ago, indoor air quality wasn't much of an issue. You could
throw open the window of your office to bring in outdoor air.
But, in an effort to build tighter, more energy-efficient
buildings, open windows all but disappeared from the architectural
scene. In recent years, offices and homes are being built
tighter, making ventilation and the concentration of pollutants
inside a concern.
To achieve proper air circulation, open
doors and windows, particularly when you are using cleaning
agents, and operate any exhaust fans your home may have. Another
way to increase ventilation and dilute pollutants is through
the use of an outdoor air connection or products such as heat
recovery ventilators (HRV's) and energy recovery ventilators
(ERV's).
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Cleaning
Is Essential |
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Although
ventilation helps to reduce indoor air pollutants, it is not
a "cure all". To further reduce concentration levels,
you should make a habit of cleaning your living spaces frequently
by washing your bedding in hot water (at least 130°F to
kill dust mites) and vacuuming and dusting to remove surface
dust. Alas, while these practices are effective, not all particles
can be eliminated through these methods alone. Some particles
are so small, they may escape through the vacuum, or never land
on a surface. Products
such as electronic air cleaners (EACs) or high-efficiency
air filters can aid you in capturing these particles. The
majority of these particles in the air are extremely small
and cannot be captured by (often referred to as "throwaway")
air filters. These minute particles, if not trapped, can slip
by your body's defenses and get lodged in your lungs.
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The
Role of Home Comfort In Improving Indoor Air Quality |
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Your heating,
ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) is one of the
best tools in providing good indoor air quality. It can provide
a major portion of the ventilation for your home. Signs of poor
ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls
and smelly or stuffy air. In other words, if on Thursday you
can still smell the fish you cooked on Sunday, you might have
a ventilation problem. This is an important reason why you should
have your home comfort system inspected regularly by a qualified
service technician. That way, you'll know your equipment is
functioning properly. When you are working to improve indoor
air quality, it's important to consult your HVAC dealer to make
sure your home comfort system is designed properly as a complete
and compatible system. It's not always as simple as adding another
component. |
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Products
That Can Help You Breathe A Little Easier |
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We
offer a wide variety of indoor air quality poducts designed
to make your home more comfortable. At a minimum, every home
comfort system should provide humidity control, high-efficiency
air cleaning and a controlled source of outdoor air for ventilation.
If you are particularly sensitive
to your indoor environment due to severe asthma or allergies,
you may want to upgrade your system for increased comfort
levels and even better IAQ. This can be done by adding components
such as electronic air cleaners, air purifiers, heat recovery
ventilators and energy recovery ventilators.
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DETECTION
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Carbon monoxide
detectors provide constant monitoring of your indoor air to
detect unsafe levels of carbon monoxide. In addition to having
carbon monoxide detectors, it is strongly recommended that you
have fuel-burning appliances (such as gas clothes dryers and
furnaces) and venting systems maintained on a regular basis
to eliminate potential carbon monoxide-related dangers that
they may pose. Choose a high quality detector for more effective
detection. |
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PURIFICATION
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Air purifiers
inhibit the growth of biological organisms that may be present
in your home. These include products such as ultraviolet lights
and microbiocide treated air filters. Odor removal can be accomplished
through the use of charcoal activated air filters. |
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VENTILATION
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Heat recovery
ventilators (HRV's) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV's)
bring fresh air into your house and exhaust stale air out. HRV's
conserve energy from indoor conditioned air, and transfer it
to the outdoor air as it's brought in your home to provide adequate
ventilation. ERV's provide the additional benefit of maintaining
desired humidity levels to help keep you comfortable. |
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FILTRATION
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Electronic
air cleaners (EAC's) and high-efficiency air filters help clean
the air and provide respiratory relief by removing dust, dirt
and pollen. They are designed to trap even microscopic particles,
so cleaner air is circulated back into your home. |
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HUMIDIFICATION |
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Humidifiers
add moisture to every room in your home to soften harsh, dry
air. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends that the relative humidity in
your home should be between 30-60 % to minimize the growth of
bacterial and biological organisms. Using a humidifier can help
you to maintain this standard, and help you stay comfortable
at lower thermostat levels. |
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Humidity
controls adjust the relative humidity inside your home without
affecting room temperature. Proper humidity levels will make
your home feel more comfortable and can provide better energy
efficiency. |
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What
You Can't See Can Hurt You And Your Family
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