Introduction
For people who are diligent housekeepers, it can be rather distressing to
hear the media regularly reporting on the poor quality of the home
environment. So why is it dirty, even if you have an impeccable maid
(yourself for example!)? One of the problems is that in today's tightly
built homes, bad stuff comes in but it can't get out. The tight construction
of new houses makes them much more energy efficient, but reduces the ongoing
exchange with the outdoors that naturally occurred in the "olden" days. Old
homes are being upgraded for increased energy efficiency resulting in the
same problem. The EPA estimates home pollution is dramatically worse than 20
years ago. The use of cleaning solutions to clean the house and make it
smell good may add to the problem by leaving chemicals in the homes. The
good news is you're helping the environment by conserving energy, but the
bad news is you're breathing pollution inside your home. It certainly seems
unjust! While Whole house air purifiers help home air purifiers are also
often needed.
More Reasons Why Your Home Can Be Dirty
without home air purifiers or whole house systems
Here is why your home might be polluted to some extent: There are things
that ignite, like oil, candles, kerosene, gas, coal, wood, and tobacco.
There are all sorts of products for household cleaning, cooking, personal
care, and hobbies. Then there are the big things like central heating and
cooling systems and woodstoves. There are outdoor sources of pesticides and
other pollutants that can get in. Some sources, such as building materials,
furnishings, and products like fresheners (those chemical things that smell
good) release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources that
release pollutants intermittently include cigarette smoking.
Ways to Improve Home Quality
To improve home quality, ventilation is helpful. Either fresh outdoor air
has to come in to push the home pollution out or the home pollution needs to
be absorbed by home air purifiers. Especially in winter, if weather prevents
the intake of fresh outdoor environment, it is very important to keep key
areas of the home clean via air purifiers. Forced air furnaces are sometimes
part of the problem because they recirculate dirt, often containing
allergens from pet dander. Changing the filters of whole house filters in
the spring and fall is a good idea, and adding electrostatic filters to them
is even better. If possible eliminate the sources of pollution to the best
of your ability. Asbestos can be sealed or enclosed, stoves can be adjusted
or repaired, smokers can go outside (or quit!) and mold can sometimes be
cleaned up or removed. However, sometimes it is impossible or too much of a
hassle to eliminate the source. In that case, home air purifiers
(particularly those with HEPA technology and activated carbon) can be of
great assistance.
Family pets are a major source of poor home quality. If you don't have a
pet, go to the zoo for your pet fix! If you do, then take a few simple steps
to make home life with pets better. Airborne pet dander contains allergens
(they lick their fur, the saliva containing allergens that bother humans
dries, it flakes off and flies around the room) so keeping home air
purifiers in the room where the pets hang out is very helpful. If possible,
keep them out of the bedroom and off of the bed, but if not, run home air
purifiers in the bedroom continuously and wash the bedding frequently.
Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum cleaner if you have one or at least run your air
purifier on high for a few hours after you vacuum. Brush the pets outside
frequently and bathe them but don't let their skin get too dry or it flakes
off and becomes airborne too!
The Different Home Air Purifiers Solve
Different Problems
Thetype of home air purifiers to purchase depends on which kinds of home
pollutants you're most worried about. Different technologies address
different problems. Some are better at particulate and some are better for
absorbing chemicals, gases, and odors. Some of the higher caliber ones like
the IQAir and Blueair, and Austin Air do a good job with both. If your house
is particularly dry, you can both clean and humidify it with a fine product
from Air-O-Swiss called the AOS 2071or the AOS 2055 AirWasher.
Conclusion
Our valiant efforts to conserve energy by making our houses nice and tight
have unfortunately resulted in houses which conserve home pollution! There
are several ways you can clean up, eliminate, and reduce the home toxins as
described above. Placing high quality home air purifiers in your bedroom and
key living areas will significantly and dramatically improve your home
quality. Changing or cleaning the filters in whole house air purifiers is
also helpful. |
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