Tight, well insulated homes tend to trap pollutants indoors.  It becomes important to provide a mechanism, or system to prevent indoor pollutants from concentrating AND to introduce fresh air from the outdoors into the living space.  Recently - a new standard has been proposed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) to set guidelines for ventilation in residiental structures.   ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the only nationally recognized indoor air quality standard developed solely for residences.



 

Although the steam humidifier may be making a comeback - the "flow through" variety of whole house humidifier is the most pervasive throughout homes in the United States.  This article offers a quick overview of flow-through humidifier operation and some easy-to-follow maintenance tips.

With rising energy costs and a dire environmental outlook - it's no wonder that programmable (or "setback") thermostats are becoming more popular.

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, you don't operate the equipment as much when you are asleep or when the house is not occupied.

The benfits are two-fold:
* Save money on your heating and cooling bills
* Feel good about saving energy resources

Traditionally, thermostats used in residences, businesses and industrial settings, including thermostats sold as stand-alone units and as components within heating and c ooling equipment have contained mercury.  As the fall turns to w inter, and spring turns to summer, many people think about upgrading their heating system in preparation for winter or summer, including replacing old thermostats.

Over the last few years, more people are making an effort to eat healthier and stay active. This endeavor usually involves drinking more water as opposed to sodas and other unhealthy beverages. While drinking water is great for the body, many people have turned to bottled water which has become a huge source of waste and a major concern for the environment.
 

Because today's homes are built "tight"  -   pollutants are trapped indoors and can concentrate to harmful levels.   The health hazards from indoor air pollutants are broadly recognized as one of today’s top environmental hazards.  An ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) or HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) can help expel contaminated air and bring in fresh air.  These ventilation products and also protect your home from extremes in humidity

NSF is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1944 to promote good sanitation. Its main "business" is to bring together experts in public health, manufacturing, and sanitation from government, industry, academia and the public to develop and administer performance standards for products which have some impact on sanitation and public health. NSF maintains state-of-the-art laboratories where products can be tested according to the standards.

There are many ways to increase home air quality, save energy, and reduce costs at the same time. Making these changes will not only save money, but will increase your home's value as it becomes more energy efficient. It is no secret that a home's efficiency is a major selling point for today's home buyer. If you are thinking about selling your home, it is possible to dramatically increase your selling price by making your home inexpensive to heat and maintain.

High humidity can cause huge problems for homeowners, especially in the wintertime. When the outside temperatures go down, the doors and windows stay closed and indoor air circulation sometimes slows. When these conditions are present, several problems can arise. Indoor air quality can deteriorate dramatically, causing problems with allergies, mold, and a myriad of detriments to the home and its residents.

Asthma, allergies, and general breathing difficulties have led to an increased and more intensive movement to improve home air quality. Indoor air quality contamination is most often accidental and simply a result of home neglect – resulting in dust and mold inside the ventilation system.

High Humidity in your home can result in a number of home damages and health problems. The foggy condensation on your windows and sliding glass doors in an indicator that there is high humidity in your home – which may be resulting in hidden and costly damages to your home and to your health. Excess humidity in your home can result in peeling paint, rotting wood, buckling floors, deteriorating insulation, moisture spots on walls and ceilings, and mold.

Maybe you've seen those late night infomercials and heard about those popular and expensive ionizing air cleaners that are supposed to clean and improve the quality of air inside of your homes and office. Consumers have been purchasing these pricey air cleaners thinking they are getting the best product for their money. In reality they may be causing more health problems for themselves then they realize.

Although many furnace manufacturers recommend changing the furnace filter only twice yearly, the demands of good indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and proper airflow call for more frequent changes.

In general, the type of filter may not be as important as its cleanliness. That is, unless there are allergies or COPD- related conditions suffered by any of the family members. In which case there would arise a need for more expensive HEPA-type filters (about $10-$12) apiece.

HEPA furnace filters are high efficiency filters that screen airborne particles from the air. First created by the government in mid-1950, HEPA furnace filters work by providing several layers of fibers through which circulated air passes. As the air passes through the layers of a HEPA furnace filter, particles are caught, or filtered, in the sheets of fiber. A HEPA furnace filter removes 99.97% of the particles in the air.

When you first turn on your furnace in the Fall, do you notice a dusty smell throughout the house? This should be a reminder to you that you should have changed the furnace filter. Changing the filter frequently is important for a couple of reasons: it reduces indoor air pollution, and it improves home efficiency. You should not wait for that dusty smell to remind you to replace your furnace filter.

Maintaining clean air throughout the home is essential to the health of yourself and your family. Germs and diseases are often spread through dust mites and mold in the air. Indoor air quality usually worsens during winter when most windows have to be kept closed. However if you want to keep the air in your home clean and fresh all year round here are 10 steps to do so.

Water quality in the United States has a great deal of variation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes and enforces water quality standards for the entire nation. However the EPA does not test the water in every state and city. The EPA holds the individual states responsible for water quality testing. States must keep detailed records, which the EPA uses to ensure compliance with federal law. Private water suppliers must follow the same procedures.

When selling your home a few simple things can be done to increase your house worth without breaking the bank. Your real estate agent is an invaluable resource beyond estimating house values based on comparable homes. They have seen thousands of home walk throughs and know what gives pause to potential buyers and, yes, it is usually the little things.

Many people tend to think all their allergies come from being outside. The truth is, home allergens are quite common, causing sickness and other health problems.

Radon is a color-less, odor-less gas which is produced by the natural decay of soils containing uranium. The gas rises through the soil and seeps into cracks or spaces in a building foundation, basement, or crawl space.