Indoor air can contain viruses, dust mites, formaldehyde, radon, pet dander and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants that aggravate allergies. But in understanding four key air quality components, Americans can ensure a healthy, sustainable home.

1. Moisture Control

Too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause skin and respiratory problems. Controlling humidity allows the HVAC system to work more efficiently, so homeowners pay less in energy bills. Choose automatic, whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers. For example, Aprilaire’s Model 1750 Central Dehumidifier’s built-in intelligence provides automatic control for not only whole-home dehumidification, but also for fresh air ventilation, air cycling and air filtration.

2. Ventilation

Without air circulation, allergens, odors, moisture and other pollutants cannot leave the home. Ensure air flow with a mechanical ventilation system, which will use fans and ducts to circulate fresh air.

3. Air Filtration

Central air filters permanently remove airborne contaminants. In a recent standard industry test, the Aprilaire 5000 achieved 99 percent efficiency against airborne particles. The unit captures and kills virtually all contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, mold spores and allergens.

4. Energy Efficiency

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using efficient heating and cooling systems, leakless ducts and thermostats that are programmed to save energy at night or when residents are away would prevent 169 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions a year. The EPA says that a programmable thermostat can save you up to 30 percent on your energy bills.

For more information, visit www.aprilaire.com.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Winterizing your home will not only keep you more comfortable, but also minimize your heating costs. In some cases, winterizing can also help improve your home’s safety.

Before curling up with some spiced cider, take the following steps to winterize your home:

Check All Windows and Doors for Drafts

A poorly-insulated home lets warm air out and cold air in, making heating systems work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. All that extra energy translates into higher heating bills. Look for cracks around windows, doors and perimeter walls. If you notice gaps or cracks, buy a caulking gun or home insulation kit at your local hardware store, then put it to use.

Clean All Ducts and Vents

Clogged vents increase energy costs and can pose fire hazards. Take your dryer; clogged dryer vents cost homeowners an extra $18 to $24 every month and cause 15,500 fires each year. Most manufacturers suggest that you clean your dryer vent once a year, so make it part of your winterizing process. One company, Dryer Vent Wizard (www.dryerventwizard.com), professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers, ensuring a safer and more energy-efficient home.

Check Your Pipes

Pipes that lack proper insulation can crack and leak, damaging your home. Thoroughly drain all garden hoses before putting them in storage. Drain air conditioner pipes, and turn off your air conditioner’s shut-off valve. Hot water composes a hefty chunk of your utility bill, so consider purchasing a water heater blanket for your water heater. Make sure that all hot water pipes are insulated. You can purchase heat tape or pipe insulation at hardware stores.

Clean Your Heating System

If your HVAC has clean vents and filters, it will produce more heat more efficiently. Consider hiring a professional service to make sure that your HVAC runs efficiently this winter.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Vent-free fireplaces often have up to three see-through walls, making them a spectacular design feature for any home, particularly a winter home. The top of the fireplace can also be left see-through, or an insulated top can be added, providing a valuable, functional horizontal surface on which to place a TV set, books, accessories, or framed photographs.

Surrounds for vent-free fireplaces can be adapted to fit virtually any interior design style, from traditional to modern to country, and everything in between.

Opponents Of Vent-free Fireplaces

Those who oppose the use of vent-free fireplaces say they are unsafe and unhealthy. These opponents point out that, while natural gas fireplaces may not emit particulate emissions, combustion of natural gas produces gas by-products that can be harmful to the environment. When these gas by-products are released indoors, the environment that they are harmful to is the air homeowners are breathing in their homes.

In addition to emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide, a vent-free fireplace also emits water vapor. In a damp climate, water vapor can collect inside the house, leading to problems with mold and condensation. In fact, the amount of water that goes into a home from a vent-free fireplace for every 100,000 BTUs of gas burned can be up to one full gallon of water. Unless homeowners have a system in place for handling all this water vapor, their vent-free fireplace might be doing them more harm than good.

Direct-Vent Fireplace – A Good Alternative

A direct-vent fireplace can be installed in nearly every application where a vent-free fireplace would also work. Furthermore, a direct-vent fireplace can be installed in a corner unit, so two sides of the fireplace are see-through. Direct-vent gas fireplaces are sealed, so all the harmful gases are released outdoors through the product’s venting system. In the outdoor environment, these gases can mix with other environmental gas naturally present in the atmosphere, reducing the harmful effects of these gases in your home.

In summary, vent-free fireplaces should not be seriously considered by anyone who wants their fireplace for more than just looks. A direct-vent gas fireplace is a safer alternative.

About the author: Percy Troughton runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. Check out these great Interior Design Online articles and guides.
www.interiordesignonline.biz

Article Source: EzineArticles

Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency ranks poor indoor air quality as a top five environmental risk to public well-being? Less than 20 percent of Americans believe that indoor air can be as polluted as outdoor air. Yet a home’s indoor air quality can be five times worse.

With energy-efficiency savings in mind, today’s buildings and houses are designed to seal air inside. As a result, bacteria, dirt, mold and other allergens are trapped, contributing to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and headaches. On average, Americans now spend about 90 percent of their time indoors.

The EPA lists air purifiers among the ways to improve indoor air quality. Using an air purifier will help remove airborne irritants and allergens such as dust, pet dander, germs, bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, cigarette smoke and pollen.

Air purifiers with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters effectively remove 99.97 percent of particulates such as dust and pollen. Better results are achieved by systems that combine HEPA air filtration with pre-filters for greater odor control and particulate-capture efficiency.

For example, Hunter Fan Co.’s QuietFlo True HEPA system incorporates an activated carbon pre-filter to reduce odors and remove larger particles such as lint and pet hair, reserving the HEPA filter for smaller, more invasive airborne irritants.

Clean Air Delivery Rate is the industry’s standard rating system set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This rate certifies performance and effectiveness by measuring the amount of clean air a unit delivers into a room.

“CADR is the single most important piece of information needed to make a comparison of air purifiers,” says Gary Feder, vice president of home comfort at Hunter Fan Co. “It gauges real-world performance, taking into account filter efficiency, airflow and room size.”

For more on HEPA air purifiers, visit www.hunterfan.com.

To protect your family from illness, you must disinfect all areas to destroy germs and prevent them from spreading. Your kitchen sink and counters should be cleaned with antibacterial solutions after each use. Bacteria left from meats and vegetables can get on your hands, utensils or other foods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like telephones, doorknobs and tables. Cleaning and disinfecting these “hot spots” regularly is key to keeping a healthy home.

Poor indoor air quality also is to blame for a variety of health effects. Americans spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, where air pollution levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

“Homeowners often complain about poor indoor air quality leading to headaches, dry eyes and fatigue, as well as asthma and allergy attacks,” said home improvement expert Lou Manfredini.

But you can breathe easier by following these strategies for reducing air pollution in your home:

• Control the source. Reduce or remove as many asthma or allergy triggers from your home as possible. Keep pets outside whenever possible; wash all bedding weekly in hot water; and don’t allow anyone to smoke indoors.
• Invest in an air purifier. Equip your home with a high-efficiency whole-home air purifier like the new Infinity Air Purifier from Carrier Corp. (Carrier.com). It captures and kills airborne allergens, bacteria, mold spores and viruses.”You will notice a significant change in your breathing and overall well-being, and recognize the worth of this investment immediately,” said Manfredini.
• Check and replace. Maintain your heating and air conditioning systems by changing the filters frequently. This includes gas appliances, wood stoves and fireplaces. Good maintenance and ventilation are important for keeping indoor air pollution under control.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

It makes sense to think about the efficiency of your home. As you do, take some time to consider your windows. Windows are one of the leading sources of air leakage, allowing hot air to creep indoors during the summer and warm, heated air to work its way outside in the colder months. By taking the appropriate steps, you can effectively boost window insulation and better maintain the overall comfort level of your home.

Here are five window insulation tips, provided by Comfortex BlindCrafter Centers, to help you conserve energy this winter:

• Caulk cracks or holes in your windows or install weather stripping around the window sash and frame to seal off the areas prone to air flow.
• Install either interior or exterior storm windows. Storm windows can easily reduce the heat loss through your windows by 25 percent to 50 percent while limiting drafts and condensation. Be sure the storm windows have sufficient weather stripping and interlocking or overlapping joints to maximize their effectiveness.
• Insulate your home with energy-efficient window treatments, such as cellular shades, that provide an insulating barrier on your windows to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.
• Keep window treatments closed at night. Open them during the day to take advantage of the sun’s rays for natural solar heating.
• Clean your windows, especially on the southern side of your home. This allows for maximum solar gain throughout the day and clean glass allows this to happen more readily.

If you’d like to add new window treatments to help save energy in your home, you may be able to get them for free.

Comfortex BlindCrafter has launched a nationwide Ultimate Window Shade Makeover Contest. The grand prize winner will receive Comfortex custom window shades for every window in his or her home – a $25,000 value. For more information about the contest or to learn how to enhance your home’s energy efficiency with window treatments, stop by your local Comfortex BlindCrafter Center or log on to Blindcrafter.com.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

According to Consumer Reports, replacing inefficient windows can cut heating and cooling bills up to 25 percent. But replacing all of a home’s windows can set homeowners back $7,000 to $20,000 – energy-efficient windows might take 20 years to pay for themselves. If old windows cannot be repaired through weather stripping or caulking, homeowners should consider an upgrade, but if windows still function, homeowners should look to make their existing windows more energy-efficient.

Here are some tips to keep heat inside your home this winter:

• Weatherstrip your windows and doors. Airtight windows and doors will do wonders for your heating bills. If you notice cold drafts by doors or windows, you need weatherstripping. If you’re unsure, ask a volunteer to stand on the other side of the wall, then blow hot hair from a hand dryer at the window or door.
• If you find drafts, make sure that the window or door fits properly in its frame. If the door or window is crooked, weather stripping won’t fit on every side and may make the door or window impossible to close. If the window fits but still proves drafty, look into buying a weatherstripping kit. Weatherstripping comes in many forms, so you might want to ask a professional for recommendations.
• Add insulating blinds. In using energy-efficient blinds, homeowners help control light and will save money. One company, Comfortex Window Fashions (www.comfortex.com), makes Odysee Insulating Blinds, which work like wooden blinds but boast high-energy-efficient performance. Odysee Insulating Blinds provide year-round insulation up to 71 percent more than an uncovered window. Odysee also provides complete privacy and decorating options, including 800 colors in two fabric options.

Courtesy: NewsUSA