Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around structures as it relates to the health and comfort of that structure. (EPA) People spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Around 45% of homes in the U.S. have one or more people with asthma or allergies.
Children are more susceptible to airborne allergens, as they inhale 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults.Indoor air is 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.
-The average home produces 40 pounds of dust annually.
-Each ounce of dust contains around 40,000 dust mites.
72 trillion allergens enter homes every day.
By understanding what these indoor contaminates are, and doing something about it, you can help to reduce the risk of indoor health concerns.
Top 3 Indoor Air Pollutants
- Biological Impurities
-Mold/Bacteria
-Dust Mite/Cockroach Particles
-Animal Dander
- Combustion Toxins
-Carbon Monoxide
-Nitrogen Dioxide
-Secondhand Smoke
- Unstable Organic Compounds
-Paint Gasses
-Pesticides
-Dry-Cleaning Chemicals
Hazards of Indoor Pollution Include:
–Asthma
–Allergies
–Respiratory Infections
–Rashes
–Chronic Headaches
–Lung Cancer
Health effects can show up right after exposure to the pollutants, or can manifest after repeated exposures.
4 Strategies to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
CONTROL THE SOURCE
- Store combustible materials in a garage.
- Smoke outside.
- Use alternative material (that do not contain formaldehyde or dangerous chemicals, etc.)
- Invest in pest control.
PROPER VENTILATION
- Use infiltration -Introduce outdoor air into your home.
- Provide natural outdoor air flow from open windows/doors.
- Use your home’s exhaust fans (bathroom fan or fan over stove.)
- Add a mechanical feature to your HVAC system that brings outdoor air into the home.
MAINTAIN YOUR DUCTS
- Air duct cleaning can remove biological pollutants.
- Fixing the seals on the ducts will keep contaminates out.
- Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the HVAC system manufacturer.
- Change filters regularly.
CLEAN YOUR AIR
- Air Filtration Systems Can Help
- 100x more efficient than standard air filters.
- 8x more effective than HEPA filters.
- Without effective air filtration, the suspended pollutants are circulated in your air rather than trapping them.
SOLUTIONS FROM TR MILLER:
AccuExchange™ Energy Recovery Ventilator
Improve your home’s indoor environment by exchanging stale indoor air with an equal amount of fresh air. AccuExchange ERV has a high Total Recovery Ratio which means it recovers both heat and moisture from the exchanged air, therefore not sacrificing efficiency or comfort from your heating and cooling system.
AccuClean™ Whole-Home Air Filtration System Highlights
Cleaner air starts with better airflow. AccuClean removes up to 99.98% of allergens. Traditional filters force air through dense mesh screens to trap particles. Over time they become clogged and hamper airflow, which results in lower airflow and efficiency, also known as “pressure drop.” But AccuClean gives you long-lasting, consistent performance with the lowest pressure drop and highest efficiency of any filtration system on the market.
Air Duct Cleaning
50% of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. If you have a ducted HVAC system The Better Heating-Cooling Council recommends cleaning the air ducts at least once a year. Cleaning your air ducts can also prevent system failures, as 9 out of 10 failures are caused by dirt and dust. Air duct cleaning may also be covered by your medical insurance (call them to find out!)
