The US Environmental Protection Agency states that poor Indoor Air Quality is one of the top five environmental threats. So why does the EPA feel so strongly about Indoor Air Quality in homes and workplaces? Well, according to the EPA, indoor air is on average a staggering three to five times more contaminated than the air outdoors, and in some instances as high as seventy times.

Why is indoor air worse than outdoor air?

  • Modern-day construction practices mean homes are being built more airtight in an effort to save energy and the environment.
  • Older homes are being re-insulated and getting airtight window upgrades. The result is a less drafty and more comfortable home that no longer has natural ventilation to bring in the fresh air. This is a benefit, as natural ventilation is uncontrolled, however, it can lead to indoor air quality issues.
  • Normal, everyday living provides an ongoing source of airborne contaminants like dust, dander, chemicals and other allergens.

In fact, it is estimated that the average 6-room home accumulates over 40 pounds of dust each year!

Partly due to this poor ventilation, pollutants become trapped in your home and then are re-circulated by your heating and cooling system leading to poor Indoor Air Quality.

In Part, Indoor Air Quality can be improved considerably by installing controlled mechanical ventilation. A heat recovery air exchanger replaces natural ventilation while recovering up to 95% of the heat and reducing airborne pollutants is a partial solution.

The fact remains, however, that a periodic thorough Duct Cleaning will be required. Along with this, many other Indoor Air Quality issues remain but can be addressed with devices like the one below. A little investment can go a long way to improving the Indoor Air Quality your family lives with.