Category: Indoor Air Quality

Statistics reveal Canadians spend 90% of their time indoors. That means the more time we spend inside and the more airtight our homes become, the more exposed we are to indoor allergens and irritants. That’s why improving the air quality of your home is so important and doing so the natural way makes sense. Here are some tips from the experts at our heating & air conditioning Mississauga firm to help make your indoor environment healthier.

· Think Green. Decorate your home with indoor plants that effectively remove chemicals from the air and improve air quality. Use natural cleaning products which contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or toxic chemicals that can be released into the air as gases causing problems for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory ailments.

· Use good judgment. Never smoke inside your home. Control pet dander by brushing pets outdoors and cover your mattress and pillows to protect against dust mites. Dust often and vacuum regularly.

· Improve air ventilation. Mississauga air conditioners can keep humidity down and reduce pollen and pollutants in the air. Make your A/C system even more effective by installing a disposable HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to help purify the air in your home and change filters often.

Even something as simple as removing your shoes at the door can help to prevent dirt, dust and other particles from spreading throughout your home.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that has no colour or smell. Fuel-burning appliances can release it, and a working carbon monoxide alarm is essential for detecting it. See Health Canada’s alarm guidance.

Exposure can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion and drowsiness. Serious exposure can lead to loss of consciousness or death. The effects depend on both the concentration and the length of exposure; a household should not rely on a particular concentration as a safe threshold.

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside immediately. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services from outside. Do not stay inside to inspect an appliance or look for the source, and do not return until professionals say it is safe.

Use a carbon monoxide alarm certified for use in Canada and follow its installation, testing and replacement instructions. Have fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents inspected and maintained by qualified professionals.

For current guidance, see Ontario carbon monoxide safety and Health Canada’s carbon monoxide prevention advice.

When you stop to consider the fact statistics tell us Canadians spend almost all of their time indoors, it becomes obvious the quality of the air in our homes is a priority. While everyone needs to be concerned with air quality whether it’s at home, at work, or even in the classroom, there are a few groups that need to be especially aware for specific health reasons.

Those with suppressed immune systems, allergies or asthma are particularly susceptible as are children and people with lung diseases. Of course, you need to be aware of the sources of indoor air contaminants and these are classified as either biological like the dander from pets, or chemical like carbon monoxide and even second hand smoke.

Being aware of the symptoms that affect your health in important. While coughing and sneezing can mean that you’ve caught a virus or cold, these two factors can also mean you’re dealing with poor indoor air quality.

Other aliments include dizziness and nausea, as well as nose, throat and even eye irritation. One quick way to determine if there is an issue is by comparing the air inside and outside of your home. If your symptoms clear up dramatically when you stay away from home for a short or longer period of time, the issue could very well be with the air quality inside your residence.

As HVAC specialists in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville we’ve long said that sleeping in a room with excellent air quality enhances the quality and depth of a good night’s sleep, but a recent study from Harvard confirms the link. Harvard’s School of Public Health’s recent study found that air pollution increases the risk of poor sleep patterns, and as such should be treated as a quality-of-life issue.

Poor air quality can increase the risk and severity of Sleep-Disordered Breathing disorders, including sleep apnea, and allergies due to airway and lung irritation from pollutants. The study from Harvard found that there was an increase in sleep apnea symptoms of 13%, from the increased pollutants during the summer months, an important air-quality fact given that 17% of adults have some form of SDB. The increase in allergy symptoms due to poor air quality and its airborne fungi and bacteria can also contribute to a poor night’s sleep. It is estimated that 1 out of 6 allergy sufferers do so because of the poor air quality inside of their offices and homes.

Having an HVAC specialist in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville remove air pollutants from your indoor air will allow you and your family to breathe easier and sleep deeper—and is an overall good idea since indoor air is generally 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor, but can be up to 100 times more polluted.

How to Improve the Air Quality in your Home

There are a number of contributing factors to poor indoor air quality inside your home that can be easily remedied by the following:

·Using natural, plant-based cleaners (especially in bedrooms) in place of chemical-based cleansers with harsh irritants

·Regularly changing your heating and cooling units’ air filters

·Regular HVAC maintenance

·The installation of an air purifier

·If needed, the addition of a humidifier or dehumidifier

·Ensuring that your bedroom has adequate ventilation and air circulation

If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, call us at Furnace King, your local HVAC specialists in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville, and we can perform an air-quality assessment and make recommendations on ways you can enhance the quality of air in your home through proper air flow, air filtering and ventilation.

Statistics reveal Canadians spend 90% of their time indoors. That means the more time we spend inside and the more airtight our homes become, the more exposed we are to indoor allergens and irritants. That’s why improving the air quality of your home is so important and doing so the natural way makes sense. Here are some tips from the experts at our heating & air conditioning Mississauga firm to help make your indoor environment healthier.

· Think Green. Decorate your home with indoor plants that effectively remove chemicals from the air and improve air quality. Use natural cleaning products which contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or toxic chemicals that can be released into the air as gases causing problems for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory ailments.

· Use good judgment. Never smoke inside your home. Control pet dander by brushing pets outdoors and cover your mattress and pillows to protect against dust mites. Dust often and vacuum regularly.

· Improve air ventilation. Mississauga air conditioners can keep humidity down and reduce pollen and pollutants in the air. Make your A/C system even more effective by installing a disposable HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to help purify the air in your home and change filters often.

Even something as simple as removing your shoes at the door can help to prevent dirt, dust and other particles from spreading throughout your home.

When you stop to consider the fact statistics tell us Canadians spend almost all of their time indoors, it becomes obvious the quality of the air in our homes is a priority. While everyone needs to be concerned with air quality whether it’s at home, at work, or even in the classroom, there are a few groups that need to be especially aware for specific health reasons.

Those with suppressed immune systems, allergies or asthma are particularly susceptible as are children and people with lung diseases. Of course, you need to be aware of the sources of indoor air contaminants and these are classified as either biological like the dander from pets, or chemical like carbon monoxide and even second hand smoke.

Being aware of the symptoms that affect your health in important. While coughing and sneezing can mean that you’ve caught a virus or cold, these two factors can also mean you’re dealing with poor indoor air quality.

Other aliments include dizziness and nausea, as well as nose, throat and even eye irritation. One quick way to determine if there is an issue is by comparing the air inside and outside of your home. If your symptoms clear up dramatically when you stay away from home for a short or longer period of time, the issue could very well be with the air quality inside your residence.