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Going Green and Enhancing
Indoor Air Quality
(ARA) - More energy-efficient and airtight homes provide lower carbon emissions, significant energy
savings and the psychological boost of knowing we’re all doing something to help preserve the planet –
so what’s not to love? Despite the cost savings and environmental benefits, however, modern home
building and remodeling can have a hidden downside: poor indoor air quality.
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tells us that air pollution inside the home can be two to
five times higher than outdoor levels,” says Victor Flynn, national marketing manger of Panasonic Home
& Environment Company, which manufactures home ventilation products.
Poor indoor air quality has been linked to a host of respiratory ailments, from allergies to asthma. In
fact, the EPA’s Web site notes that indoor air pollutants contribute to asthma symptoms, especially
among children.
The trend toward more “green,” energy-efficient, airtight homes contributes to poor indoor air quality
because “airtight” means airborne pollutants stay trapped inside. However, it is possible to boost your
home’s energy efficiency, save money and improve indoor air quality safely. The secret is home
ventilation.
Besides being more airtight, many homes these days are built or remodeled using synthetic building
materials that may release harmful chemicals into the air. These chemical emissions mix with
dust, mold and fumes from common household items like air fresheners and scented candles. Sources
of common indoor air pollutants include wet or damp walls, ceilings, carpets and furniture; poorly
maintained humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners; smoke from cigarettes; emissions from
petroleum-based candles; moisture and smoke from cooking; and fumes from household items and
cleaners.
Moisture and dampness in a home can lead to mold and mildew which can irritate the eyes, nose and
throat, cause shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever and digestive problems. Moisture and mold
can also worsen asthma, flu and other respiratory ailments. To minimize moisture in your home, it is
good practice to regularly empty water trays in your home’s air conditioners and dehumidifiers; clean
and dry or replace water-damaged carpets and building structure and provide adequate ventilation
throughout the home.
Go with the Air-flow
In the past, some homeowners and contractors might have shied away from installing vent fans believing
they were noisy, used too much energy or wasted heat in the winter and air-conditioned air in the
summer. However, times have changed, and technology has advanced, so there are modern ventilation
fans are whisper quiet, ENERGY STAR efficient and an affordable way to help maintain your home’s indoor
air quality.
Some ventilation fans provide both “intermittent” ventilation to remove steam and odors, and
“continuous” low-rate ventilation to remove indoor air pollutants and improve air quality throughout
the whole house, even when the bathroom is not in use.
Select models offer motion sensors and ENERGY STAR-rated light fixtures that use high quality,
long-life and flicker-free compact fluorescent lamps designed to match the color of incandescent
lights. And some light fixtures all include a night-light feature.
Throughout the house, an energy recovery ventilator can help create a comfortable, balanced exchange of
air by exhausting indoor air and bringing in fresh outdoor air. Running continuously at a low rate,
several units vent indoor air pollutants out of the home and replace stale indoor air with fresh air
from outside, improving indoor air quality.
Courtesy of ARAcontent |
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