Don't Let Poor Air Conditions Ruin Valentine's Day
Clean air inside a home can help prevent certain environmental health hazards. According to the EPA, 25 million people per year are affected by asthma, which can be triggered by poor air quality. 7 million of those people are children.
There's also the risk of carbon monoxide. It's a colorless and odorless gas that human senses can't easily detect. It can cause headaches, nausea, weakness, and even death.
Because of this, homeowners should look for ways to improve their indoor environment. In this article, local experts share some essential information everyone should be aware of.
What Are Some Common Pollutants Found In the Home?
Homeowners may not realize how many common pollutants may be floating around their homes at any given time. These could be types of gas, dust, mold, and more.
Here are some of the most common pollutants found in the home:
- Combustion Pollutants: These are gases that include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and such that come from various areas, including improperly vented appliances that use fuel, burning materials, wood stoves, gas stoves, water heaters, and more.
- Radon: Radon is a gas that's potentially very dangerous. It's the second leading cause of lung cancer. It gets into homes through cracks and other openings that aren't completely sealed off.
- Secondhand Smoke: Secondhand smoke is a serious pollutant that can cause asthma to worsen, ear infections in children, and increases the risk of SIDS, which is sudden infant death syndrome.
In certain states, indoor air quality is extremely important, such as in Wisconsin. They banned indoor smoking, improving air quality by more than 90%.
What's the Difference Between an Air Purifier and Air Sanitizer
If the air quality in one's home isn't up to par, there are certainly various ways to improve it with little to no work on their part. There are two types of machines that can be installed and used in the home to remove pollutants and contaminants from the air.
- Air Purifier: An air purifier is a device that can greatly improve a home's indoor air quality. It works by trapping airborne particles. Air goes through a filter, and the filter captures particles. The filters are generally made from paper, fiber, or mesh and regularly replaced. They don't capture gases like radon or VOCs, but they do a decent job capturing dust and pollen. Homeowners can purchase a standalone unit, or any HVAC professional can install one within the heating or air conditioning system.
- Air Sanitizer: An air sanitizer works by eliminating harmful organisms found in the open air. It works by setting off low-frequency UV rays into the air. The rays attack the air's harmful molecules, preventing them from spreading. These are different from air purifiers because air purifiers don't pick up living contaminants like bacteria but are better at picking up smoke.
Alternate Methods for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is a massive concern for many homeowners, some of whom don't know how to combat the issue properly. It's especially dangerous for those with asthma or other conditions that inhibit their breathing or health.
Here are some ways that homeowners can manage indoor air pollutants:
- Control the Source: What does that mean? It means to decrease the emissions that come from gas stoves or other appliances. Source control is one of the most cost-efficient ways to protect the home's indoor air quality. This also means that indoor smoking should be eliminated to avoid secondhand smoke inhalation.
- Improve Ventilation: Heating and cooling systems don't generally bring fresh air into the home; it just circulates the air that's already there. Opening windows, turning on fans, or running an air conditioner with the vent control open can increase the ventilation. Exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathroom can also help decrease pollutants and humidity within the home.
- Clean the Air: There are various air cleaners on the market that can be as small as a tabletop unit or something installed by HVAC professionals within the home. An air cleaner can collect pollutants from the air indoors. This is where an air purifier or sanitizer comes in handy.
About Boutwell's Air Masters
Boutwell's Air Masters is a company based out of Pensacola, FL. They have been serving customers in the area since 1973. They offer membership programs, financing, coupons, and personal attention. Contact them to learn more about indoor air quality service.
