Indoor Air Quality > Ventilation
Make your home "a healthy breath of fresh air" every day of the year.
According to the EPA, concentrations of toxic pollutants can be up to one hundred times greater inside a home than outside, even in our smoggiest cities. Poor ventilation in the home can lead to stuffy air and a build-up of unpleasant odors, irritating pollutants and potentially harmful gasses such as radon or carbon monoxide. As homes are built tighter with better windows, more insulation and higher-efficiency heating and cooling systems, the need for adequate ventilation becomes even more important
Problems
According to the EPA, concentrations of toxic pollutants can be up to one hundred times greater inside a home than outside, even in our smoggiest cities. Poor ventilation in the home can lead to stuffy air and a build-up of unpleasant odors, irritating pollutants and potentially harmful gasses such as radon or carbon monoxide. As homes are built tighter with better windows, more insulation and higher-efficiency heating and cooling systems, the need for adequate ventilation becomes even more important
Problems
- Odors - emitted from litter boxes, trash cans, dirty hampers, cooking, smoking, paints and solvents.
- Gases and vapors - emitted from new carpeting, building materials, cleaning supplies, candles, pesticides, personal care products, glues and adhesives.
- Stale and stuffy air - a result of today's energy efficient "tight" building techniques.
- Store volatile chemicals and cleaning products outside the home.
- Keep litter boxes away from heating and cooling system vents.
- Change your furnace filter according to manufacturer's recommendations.
- Have your fireplace and/or wood stove periodically cleaned and inspected.
- Clean dryer vents on a regular basis.
- Open windows and doors, as weather permits, to replace indoor air with fresher, outdoor air.
- Before new carpeting is installed, ask your retailer to unroll and air out the carpet in a well-ventilated area. Open windows while carpet is being installed.
- Utilize exhaust fans in bathrooms and ventilation hoods above stove tops.
- Ventilate crawl spaces, attics, hobby and work spaces.
