Homes built in the last 30 years typically are wonders of technology. They’re sealed, insulated, wrapped and tightly fortified against the outside elements. This makes home comfort more affordable. Unfortunately, trapping our warm and cool air inside means we trap other things as well.
Here are a few facts you may not know about your indoor air quality:
- In the past 30 years, reported cases of asthma have increased by over 50 percent.
- Based on a per pound body weight, children inhale about 50 percent more indoor air than adults.
- Both the American Medical Association and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency have determined that indoor air is often between two and five times more polluted than outdoor air, and sometimes much more.
- Paints, varnishes, fabrics, furniture, cleaning products, personal care products and even construction materials give off chemical vapors that can be trapped inside indoor air.
- For each 1,500 square feet in your home, an average of 40 pounds of dust is generated annually.
Look at the amount of material in your vacuum cleaner. Much of that was suspended in the air until it eventually settled to the floor. Simply walking across rugs and carpeting releases tiny fibers that can end up in the respiratory system.
Modern technology has answered indoor air quality problems with the use of ventilation systems and whole-house air cleaners.
Ventilation systems allow for the exchange of fresh, outside air with polluted indoor air. These increase the ability of homeowners to expel problem indoor air and take in fresh air without severely impacting energy costs. These units also can help control indoor humidity levels.
Whole-house air purifiers can catch and remove large dust particles, pollen, mold spores and pet dander all the way down to viruses and bacteria. They also improve indoor air quality by destroying odors and eliminating dangerous levels of chemical vapors.
Good indoor air quality can be achieved. If you would like more information on ensuring your Maryville area home has healthy air, contact the specialists at Ernst Heating & Cooling. We can show you options to dramatically improve your family’s indoor air.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and Metro East.