Air Cleaning Knoxville | Clean Air Equipment Knoxville | Measure VOCs Knoxville

GET THE TEST ... KNOW THE FACTS

Today's' tightly sealed and energy efficient homes save money and are better for the environment. but most are not properly equipped to filter and purify the constantly recirculated air. Even "leaky" older homes can accumulate high concentrations of pollutants, as well as exhibit other indoor air quality problems such as dampness, stuffiness, fumes or dryness. When trapped and recirculated within the home, airborne pollutants accumulate through time.

The good news is, you can take control. Find out if your home's air is polluted with a simple, easy third-party diagnostic test called the AirAdvice Indoor Air Analysis. You'll get a full color report that lets you "see" what's in your home's air. The report also suggests ways to solve your indoor air problems.

Tests Measures the Following:

Measures VOCs - Orders and Chemicals

Many common products around the home (solvents, fragrances and cosmetics, carpeting, furniture, paint, hobby products, cooking, cleaning agents, pesticides, new flooring, tobacco smoke, and car exhaust) emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Inside your home, these compounds can freely mix together. Individual VOC’s are known to be harmful to human health and some are known carcinogens, such as formaldehyde. Introduction of new furnishings can be a major source of VOCs in the home.

Particualte Matter

Airborne particles can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and increase respiratory problems, especially in those with preexisting medical conditions, such as cardiovascular illness and immune system diseases.
Many types of particles, such as smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen can trigger asthma found inside the home. In addition, if certain chemicals attached to particles are inhaled on a regular basis, they may cause lung cancer.

	Allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold and dust. Allergens can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems and asthma attacks.
	Biological particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They can cause infectious and non-infectious diseases, such as colds, influenza, and respiratory infections.
	Toxic particles, such as cigarette smoke, wood smoke, lead dust and asbestos.

Relative Humidity

People tend to feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 45%. High relative humidity (greater than 55%) can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, fungi, and dust mites. These pollutants can have adverse health effects.

Low relative humidity (less than 25%) can aggravate asthma and bronchitis, and lead to sinusitis, nosebleeds, dry eyes, and dry skin. It increases static electricity and makes your home feel cooler, so you may require a higher thermostat setting (which uses more energy) to feel comfortable.

For example, outdoor temperature is 28° F. and indoor temperature is 72° F., then the relative humidity is approximately 19%. Learn more about relative humidity.

The solution

	Check for leaks in your home’s plumbing. Even slow leaks can raise humidity levels in the home.
	Arrange for an AirAdvice IAQ test to determine if humidity levels in the home remain within the recommended range. View a sample chart.
	Have a licensed HVAC contractor determine if your heating and cooling systems are properly sized and functioning at optimum levels. If air conditioning equipment is oversized, it can’t adequately dehumidify your home.
	In winter, use humidifiers to raise relative humidity.
	In summer, use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels.

Temperature

Extreme changes in temperature can trigger and aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. Maintaining low temperatures over a long period of time can lead to high relative humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air).

The solution

	Check your thermostat to be sure it’s working properly. Replace it if necessary. Also, programmable thermostats require a new battery every year.
	Arrange for an AirAdvice IAQ test to determine if temperature levels in the home remain within the recommended range. View a sample chart.
	Have a licensed HVAC contractor determine if your heating and cooling systems are properly sized and functioning at optimum levels. Annual maintenance is recommended.
	In winter, use humidifiers to raise relative humidity so rooms feel more comfortable.
	In summer, use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels and maintain a moderate temperature.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is released when wood, gasoline, oil, kerosene, natural gas, and charcoal burn inefficiently. At moderate levels, CO can cause severe headaches, dizziness, impaired mental function, nausea, and shortness of breath. At high levels it can cause unconsciousness and death.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 1000 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning and thousands end up in emergency rooms. Because CO is odorless and colorless, and symptoms can look like common illnesses, the effects may not be recognized until it is too late.

The solution

	Have central air handling systems, including furnaces, flues, and chimneys, inspected and repaired annually. Even new furnaces are susceptible to damage and require regular maintenance.
	Keep gas appliances, heaters, fireplaces, wood burning stoves, barbeques in good working order and ventilate them outside the home.
	Make sure wood burning stove doors fit tightly. Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
	Don’t idle cars inside an attached garage and prevent car exhaust from entering the home.
	Install a CO detector on each floor of the home. Choose a model that can measure low levels of CO.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released from people when they exhale and from the burning of wood, gasoline, oil, kerosene, natural gas, and charcoal.

Although carbon dioxide is rarely a safety problem, a high CO₂ level can indicate poor ventilation. These conditions can lead to a buildup of particles and more harmful gases (such as carbon monoxide) that can affect your health and safety. Poor ventilation can also make your home feel “stuffy”, especially in winter.

The solution

Open windows and run exhaust fans to increase ventilation your home.

If this solution doesn’t remedy the problem or you are worried about dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases, contact an HVAC professional to:

	Arrange for an AirAdvice IAQ test to determine if carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is present in your home. View sample charts for carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
	Determine if your heating system and gas appliances are vented properly.
	Determine if heat recovery ventilators, energy recovery ventilators or direct fresh air intakes can help.

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