Time to Start Caring about the Air you Breathe in Your Home
There isn’t much we can do about breathing harmful air pollutants into our lungs the minute we step outside the door of our house in the morning. On top of breathing harmful greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions, people who are sensitive to allergens are exposed to an even more unpleasant environment. With this being said, consumers are actively taking steps to improve the air quality inside their home to increase overall health. Consumer products such as air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers are flying off the shelves and being used in households across the country. The question is now proposed, what are the benefits of using one of these appliances in my home and will they really improve air quality?
Air purifiers are a perfect solution to improving the air quality inside the home. Although primarily used to help rid the air of allergens, an air purifier also can be used to reduce or eliminate second hand tobacco smoke. Through a process that includes using fine sieves that filter particles from circulating air, purifiers are able to eliminate the harmful pollutants. The more times the air passes through the sieves, the more clean the air becomes. They come in a variety of different sizes and types with the most common being HEPA purifiers. The purifiers can substantially improve breathing conditions for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other sensitivities to air pollutants. Some of the allergens purifiers eliminate include dust mites, pollen, mold, and pet dander. With technology improvements, newer purifiers on the market today are capable of capturing a great number of DNA damaging, virus, and bacteria spreading contaminants. Air purifiers are also commonly used to get rid of second hand smoke indoors. Research has shown that of the 4,000 different chemicals found in secondhand smoke, 40 cause cancer. Exposure to second hand smoke not only increases cancer risk but also impairs lung functionality and efficiency. Choosing the right air purifier can be a daunting task that primarily depends on the unique needs of the consumer. It is important to do some research to find the correct product for your situation. There are various online resources that contain consumer reviews and comparison charts of the different types of purifiers.
Another product used to improve indoor air quality is humidifiers. These household appliances increase humidity levels or the moisture inside the home. The human body requires a certain level of humidity (moisture) in the atmosphere to function on a daily basis. If there isn’t enough humidity in the air, your skin and hair can get damaged. Besides the human body, lack of moisture can damage your home, such as furniture and electronics. Humidifiers work by evaporating the water (that you put into the appliance) into the air, thus increasing the humidity. Similar to air purifiers, a humidifier can come in different sizes, shapes, and forms. It is important to find the right humidifier for your unique needs. There are home humidifiers that humidify a single room, or there are whole-house ones that connect to a home’s HVAC system to increase the humidity level throughout the entire house. Some have added filters that collect harmful pollutants that reduce air contaminants that cause allergies and breathing problems. Humidifiers are used with infants and young children to help improve their breathing and reduce risk of infections caused by dry air.
Dehumidifiers are another product commonly used within the home to help with better air quality. They essentially are used to remove moisture from the air by condensing water onto a cold surface. They remove excessive moisture by drawing air over coils, condensing out the moisture, and then passing the air over warmer coils into the room. It is recommended that humidity level inside the home be under 55%. When the level gets over 55%, it increases the chances for bacteria, viruses, and mold to start growing. The moisture in the air creates an ideal atmosphere for germs to grow and start spreading. Not only could this cause damage to your indoor rooms and halls, but the germs can also get into your lungs and cause sickness. If a dehumidifier is needed in your home, it should be installed in the location where the most mold and mildew are present. Limiting the mold and mildew in your home will help with allergy symptoms. It is estimated that home dehumidifiers remove 10 to 15 pints of water from the air each day, depending on the humidity. Just like humidifiers and air purifiers, it is important to do some online research before find the right dehumidifier for your situation.
Start taking actions to improve the air quality in your home today!