The Importance of Air Quality

 

WHAT IS INDOOR AIR QUALITY?  Why is it important for me and for my family?

Air pollution surrounds us daily... car exhaust, smog, indoor air. Indoor air?  Yes, indoor air quality is important to your health, and in today's homes, the air can be up to 70% more polluted than the outside air. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So clean, healthy indoor air is important.

WHAT CAUSES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION?
Many everyday, unsuspected household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Chemical compounds found in common building and decorating items such as glue, plywood and carpet constantly "off-gas," or emit fumes. The components used to make household items can reach harmful levels if indoor air quality is not maintained.

Newer, more energy-efficient homes do not "breathe" like older homes.  Things like weather-stripping and storm doors keep indoor air in, and outdoor air out. This provides energy savings, but the limited exchange of outdoor and indoor air can mean a build-up of contaminants inside your home.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR
Allergies and asthma are two health problems that can be helped with clean indoor air.  When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms. Even healthy people who have never suffered from allergies can benefit from clean air. Dust, smoke and other particles float around in the air for limited times, then they fall out of the air.  This is why drapes and furniture gather dust, and wallpaper begins to look dingy.  Removing airborne dust particles reduces the amount of exposure your respiratory system is subjected to, allowing it to remain in a more healthy, strong condition.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE INDOOR AIR?
One way to clean indoor air and keep indoor air at a high quality is with an air cleaner. An air cleaner can remove dust, smoke and other particles that settle in your house and age your furnishings.  If you remove these pollutants, you also remove major cause of dirt in your home.  Even though all comfort systems have an air filter, this only protects your equipment from dust and large particles. It is not designed to clean indoor air.

Air cleaners are designed to take harmful particles out of the air and improve indoor air quality and come in a variety of types and styles.

Media filters remove many airborne pollutants, including dust and pollen. Media filters are effective in removing these larger particles, but they must be replaced periodically.

Electronic air cleaners, on the other hand, remove smaller and many more airborne particles than media filters. Electronic air cleaners can even remove mold spores and most smoke.  These air cleaners do not have to be replaced; they can simply be cleaned and returned to the filter case.

EVALUATING AIR CLEANERS
Selecting and air cleaner can become confusing because of the wide range of air cleaners today. Many claims are misleading or just advertising hype.  The only official measure of an air cleaner's efficiency is the Dust Spot Test Rating. This measure is endorsed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  Other tests and efficiencies are simply not an "apples to apples" comparison.

Look for a Dust Spot Test Rating of 25% or higher when considering and air filter.  The Department of Health, Education and Welfare recommends this and the minimal level for an air cleaner to be truly effective.

OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR
Contaminants can collect on your heating and cooling equipment and continue to recirculate throughout the house every time the equipment runs.  Cleaning your comfort equipment at the beginning of both the heating and cooling seasons can also help indoor air quality.  Your serviceman can clean all comfort equipment when he comes for a routine service call.

Improving the air we breathe indoors is important. Considering ways to clean indoor air becomes increasingly important as homes are made more and more airtight.

MEANINGLESS TERMINOLOGY
Ignore the following terms when considering and air cleaner, unless it is Dust Spot Rated. These non-technical, general product descriptions are meaningless without an official Dust Spot Test Rating.
.. Removes smoke, dust and pollen
.. Eliminates up to 100% of irritants from indoor air
.. Removes particles as small as one micron
.. Effective on cigarette smoke and mold spores
.. Up to 99% effective
.. Recommended by allergists

Be sure to read all available information and weigh all factors before purchasing and air cleaner.

Consider an air cleaner when you purchase your new comfort system, or ask your independent Lennox dealer about adding one to your current system.  Either way, the benefits you'll feel and see are worth it!

WHY IS VENTILATION IMPORTANT FOR PROPER INDOOR AIR QUALITY?

We were once able to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by merely opening a window.  However, with the concern for energy efficiency in the recent years, we have been busy making homes "tighter" from an energy standpoint.  Armed with weather-stripping and caulk guns, we have eliminated air leaks from our homes. Unfortunately, that has also eliminated the opportunity for outside ventilation that could help to reduce the concentrations of indoor contaminants. But, thanks to some innovative engineering, it isn't necessary to throw energy efficiency out the window in order to grab a breath of fresh air.

HOW CAN I VENTILATE MY HOME AND STILL BE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. With heat recovery ventilators (HRV's) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV's), it's out with the bad air and in with the good -- all without wasting energy.  HRV's and ERV's are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home, using the existing forced air system or specially installed ducts. The units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume or fresh outside air.

PROVIDING FRESH AIR FOR EXCHANGE
The HRV uses virtually noise-free fans that draw in fresh, cool outdoor air while it removes stale, heated indoor air. The ERV performs the same function, only utilizing a rotary energy recovering wheel.

Call us for more information on Total Comfort (TM) accessories. 

Your home will be more comfortable with Total Comfort accessories!!