Four steps to cleaner indoor air

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the air inside U.S. homes may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and in some cases as much as 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. What’s surprising is that newer homes actually can test higher for poorer indoor air quality. In a rush to conserve energy in the '70s we builders, architects, and designers started to build tighter homes with better windows and doors, thicker insulation, and taking extra steps to seal out any potential drafts.

While we succeeded in lowering energy bills, we ended up also adding to the problem of trapping Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) inside our homes. These fumes can be from building products, furniture, animal dander, as well as indoor mildew and mold. While it sounds funny, a drafty home is usually a healthier home. Other issues compounding matters is that more Americans than ever before suffer from severe allergies/asthma, an estimated 57 million according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Americans are spending millions of dollars a year on indoor air filtering systems, from small table top models to whole house units. There is major debate on which ones work the best. The HEPA filtrations units are one of the most used products, and are available in many different sizes depending on the size of the room you are trying to clean.

But there are some steps that cost little to improve the indoor air you breathe. These steps coupled with the right indoor air cleaning unit can help you breath a little easier this summer and beyond.

Step One: Keep your home as clean as possible. Staying ahead of dust and dust mites can dramatically improve the air you breathing. Dusting window treatments, around window and door trim and out or reach areas can help quite a bit. Use a vacuum cleaner that utilizes a HEPA type filter so that as you are cleaning you’re not just spitting the dust back into the air. Also consider a bag-less vacuum to avoid the plume of dust that happens whenever you change a bag. To control odors in your home stay away from fragrance products that only masks the odors and can actually irritate your ability to breath easily. Odor neutralizers will actually eliminate the odor. Fresh Wave® is one such product that has a commercial background. The natural oils in this product find the odor and take it out of the air and destroy it, leaving your home, car or boat smelling fresh and allowing you to breathe easier, and keep things smelling fresh. For more information visit: www.fresh-wave.com

Step Two: If you have a forced-air heating system have the air ducts cleaned, I am always asked the question “Is cleaning my air ducts worth it”? The answer is yes. Even if your home is newer you may have more construction debris and dust internally than a home older than 10-15 years. Make sure the cleaning contractor is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (www.nadca.com), and uses not only high velocity air but a whip that is fed through the ductwork to loosen up any debris stuck to the walls of the sheet-metal. The average cost to clean ductwork in your home is a about $300.00-$500.00.

Step Three: Improve your air filters on your furnace. For many of us the furnace filter is a blue spun glass filter that cost less than a dollar. While this filter will protect the blower motor it will do next to nothing when it comes to improving you indoor air quality. Upgrade to a pleated filter that captures smaller particles some so small the naked eye cannot see. There are many brands available, one of my favorites are from 3M (www.3m.com) the key is to change the filters regularly. Since these do a good job of filtering the air, when they become dirty the can restrict the air flow through your heating and cooling system. Plan on changing these filters once every couple of months throughout the year.

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