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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
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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.
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| Particualte Matter
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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.
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Allergens,
such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen,
mold and dust. Allergens can cause
allergic reactions, respiratory problems
and asthma attacks.
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Biological
particles,
such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
They can cause infectious and
non-infectious diseases, such as colds,
influenza, and respiratory infections.
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Toxic
particles,
such as cigarette smoke, wood smoke,
lead dust and asbestos.
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| Relative Humidity
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| 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
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Check
for leaks in your home’s plumbing. Even
slow leaks can raise humidity levels in
the home.
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Arrange
for an AirAdvice IAQ test to determine if
humidity levels in the home remain
within the recommended range. View a sample chart.
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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.
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In
winter, use humidifiers to raise
relative humidity.
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In
summer, use air conditioners or
dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels.
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| Temperature
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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
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Check
your thermostat to be sure it’s working
properly. Replace it if necessary. Also,
programmable thermostats require a new
battery every year.
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Arrange
for an AirAdvice IAQ test to determine if
temperature levels in the home remain
within the recommended range. View a sample chart.
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Have a
licensed HVAC contractor determine if
your heating and cooling systems are
properly sized and functioning at
optimum levels. Annual maintenance is
recommended.
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In
winter, use humidifiers to raise
relative humidity so rooms feel more
comfortable.
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In
summer, use air conditioning and
dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels
and maintain a moderate temperature.
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| Carbon Monoxide
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| 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
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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.
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Keep
gas appliances, heaters, fireplaces,
wood burning stoves, barbeques in good
working order and ventilate them outside
the home.
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Make
sure wood burning stove doors fit
tightly. Open flues when fireplaces are
in use.
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Don’t
idle cars inside an attached garage and
prevent car exhaust from entering the
home.
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Install
a CO detector on each floor of the home.
Choose a model that can measure low
levels of CO.
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| Carbon Dioxide
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| 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:
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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.
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Determine if your heating system and gas
appliances are vented properly.
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Determine if heat recovery ventilators,
energy recovery ventilators or direct
fresh air intakes can help.
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