Indoor Air Quality
<Indoor Air Pollution>

<Indoor Air Pollution><Allergens In Your Home><Humidity Control><Exposure from Dirty Air Ducts><EPA Links>

Indoor Air Pollution:
What You Can't See CAN Hurt You and Your Family

Air pollution is not just limited to outside. It can occur inside too, and the quality of this air directly affects YOUR quality of life. Indoor air pollutants can cause you to suffer from flu-like symptoms, such as watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Indoor air pollutants can also exacerbate existing illnesses such as allergies and asthma.

According to the EPA:
the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.

Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Air filtration devices can eliminate particles that are too small to be seen. Reducing the amount of pollutants in the air is the most effective way to improve indoor air quality. With the right equipment, you can eliminate micro and macro organisms such as : spores, molds, mildews, fungi, bacteria, viruses and associated odors as well as the every day dust and dirt that come into your home from the outdoors.

You can lower your exposure by using one or a combination of the following filter systems:

Disposable Filters - for general use. They are made of course fiberglass mats in a frame mounted on a filter rack.

Reusable Foam or Metal Filters - slightly higher performance capabilities than disposable filters due to the use of the oils and adhesives applied to the filter to cause the particles to adhere to them.

Electrostatic Filters - most effective on larger particles. The filter is electrostatically charged to attract particles moving through it.

Pleated Filters - increased holding capacity. The filter is arranged in a V-shaped form to increase the area of filter material without increasing the overall dimensions of the filter.

Electronic Air Cleaners (EAC) - highly efficient air filter. Uses an electrical charge to remove and collect particulate matter such as dust, smoke and pollen

High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) - the filter of choice for small particle removal. HEPA Filters filter up to 99.97% efficient at small particulate removal.

Please Note: If you are adding filtration onto an existing system, additional upgrades may be required.

Humidity
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Lack of humidity in a home can be the cause of numerous respiratory ailments. Fortunately, there is a way to improve the humidity levels within the home that will help relieve ailments related to dry respiratory membranes.

During extremely cold weather, home humidity may drop to as low as 10 percent. It is recommended that a home's humidity level be between 30 and 60 percent.

Respiratory infections and repeated attacks of winter colds can be the result of inadequate humidification during the cold winter months. Conditioning the amount of moisture in the air is necessary for a family's health. Not having enough moisture in the air can cause dryness in the membranes of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. Indoor humidity plays a significant role in the occurrence of airborne infections.

We can add a humidifier whether you are adding it to an existing heating system or replacing your whole heating system. Since the humidifier is installed using the existing duct work, adding a humidifier is a very easy process. Once the installation is complete, humidity will be controlled throughout your whole home. No more need to carry a loud portable humidifier from room to room.

Dirty Air Ducts
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Before	After

Perhaps the first step toward improving the air quality in your home or business is the cleaning of your existing duct system. Various heating and cooling systems components make up the forced air system which heats and cools your home or business. These components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen, dust mites or other debris. If moisture is present, there is also a risk of microbiological growth such as mold and spores. In addition to potential health threats, dirty air ducts can also decrease the energy efficiency of your system which leads to an increase in your energy bills.

Contamination of your duct system is primarily caused by natural levels of dirt in the air! Dirt is carried through the air in and around your home. When the air stream moving through your home or office no longer has the energy to keep particles suspended, they are deposited in the ductwork. Over time, the buildup of dirt and related particles in your duct system is discharged back in to your home or office. The only solution is a thorough cleaning of your forced air system.

We use a patented duct whip system to thoroughly clean your duct system. In addition to the duct system the registers, grilles, diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans, fan motor, and fan housing must all be cleaned.

The following guidelines may help you determine if you need your ducts cleaned:

• There is a substantial visible mold growth inside the ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
• Ducts are infested with rodents or insects.
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
• When installing a new heating or cooling unit onto existing ductwork.
• When installing a stronger motor or blower.
• Old ductwork is exposed to substantial jarring or shaking.
• A duct system has been dormant for two years or more.
• Converting return ductwork to supply ductwork.
  

Additional information on Indoor Air Quality and Dirty Ducts can be found at the following Environmental Protection Agency links:

• EPA Report: The Inside Story, A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
• EPA Report: Should You Have Your Ducts Cleaned

Allergens In Your Home

Every home has "house dust."
House dust doesn't only blow in from outdoors. It's also produced from
• the breakdown of fiber and other materials in the home
• human skin cells
• pet dander and saliva
• microscopic dust mites.

Dust mite waste is typically the most common household allergen. Almost as common are allergens in the dander, saliva and hair of cats and other animals with fur or feathers. Pet allergens can be present even in households without pets.

Other common indoor allergens come from mold and mildew, and even cockroach waste.

Throughout the House
Dust mites live throughout every home, but they are especially hard to control in carpeting, upholstered furniture and bedding. Pet allergens can also be found throughout the home.

If possible, choose hardwood, tile and linoleum floors and washable throw rugs rather than carpeting. All carpets trap dust and allergens; and vacuuming can actually increase the amount of airborne dust, unless you use special high-filtration bags and high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filters on your vacuum.

When possible, choose wooden furniture with washable pads.

Regularly replace filters on your forced-air furnace or central air conditioner. Upgrade current filters if necessary to a high efficiency filter.

Dust hard surfaces-floors, walls, ceiling fans, furniture, window sills, blinds, mirrors-frequently with a cloth that attracts and traps allergens.

Clean television and computer screens often to remove dust that can trigger allergy symptoms.

In the Bedroom
Most of us spend about eight hours a day-or more-in our bedrooms, in close contact with pillow, mattresses and other items that can trap dust mite waste and other allergens. So controlling dust in the bedroom is more important than anywhere else in the home.

Encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in air-tight, zippered covers. Tape over the zippers for extra dust protection.

Wash all bed linens-sheets, blankets, comforters, pillowcases, mattress pads-regularly.

Replace pillows every one or two years.

Choose pillows and comforters made with synthetic fibers that can be washed rather than down feathers or kapok.

Cover forced-air heating and cooling vents with disposable HEPA filters.

A room or whole house air conditioner can prevent high heat and humidity, which stimulate dust mite growth.

Keep drawers and closet doors closed.

What You Can Do
If your doctor has identified household allergens as a source of your symptom, he or she may recommend medication and immunization.

Doctors agree that one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptions is to reduce allergen exposure as much as possible.

An effective way to reduce exposure to household allergens is to clean them out of your home.

Comfort Systems USA Commitment
Our building experts will review all reported findings and work with your facilities staff to remedy any deficiencies. With Comfort Systems USA on your team, we can work together to maintain your building's indoor environment to the highest standard.

Toll Free: (800) 786-3632

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