Although it may appear counterintuitive, indoor air is commonly two to five times more contaminated than outdoor air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Home air quality is very important in promoting overall health, as indoor air quality issues often contribute to many common health issues. The Breathable Home team is skilled in preventing moisture problems that lead to mold growth and in determining the ventilation needs of a home to promote indoor air quality.
Because Americans spend most of their time indoors, it increases our exposure to contaminants. Indoor pollutants and chemicals in Central Maine homes can cause headaches, nausea, eye irritation, fatigue, allergic reactions, and other health ailments. As homes become tighter, indoor air quality is increasingly becoming an issue.
The Importance of Clean Indoor Air
- Diminishes exposure to some asthma and allergy triggers by reducing pollen, dust, pet dander, fumes, and mold levels in the home
- Avoids unpleasant odors in the home
- Prevents moisture problems for healthy, durable homes
- Promotes home safety by ensuring safe carbon monoxide levels and proper venting of HVAC equipment
- Promotes overall health and wellbeing
The Breathable Home Approach to Clean Air
Homes that are too tight exchange less air between the inside and outside of the home. Although this can be helpful from an energy-efficiency standpoint, it can result in poor indoor air quality causing mold, mildew, and health issues. Our team works to create balanced homes that are both energy efficient and healthy for occupants.
Indoor air quality starts with a home’s breathability or ventilation. It is the first thing The Breathable Home tests before we work on your home, and the last thing we test before we leave.
Preventing Moisture Issues
Many basements and crawlspace have moisture issues. The Breathable Home aims to make your basement or crawlspace dry before we start your energy upgrades by either preventing moisture from coming inside the basement or by diverting moisture through a perimeter drain that goes to a sump pump.
Home Health & Ventilation
A woman laying on a couch with two children on herAir can carry pollution as it travels through your Central Maine home. When homes are poorly ventilated, pollutants become trapped inside. From Auburn to Augusta, Maine, home ventilation is an important strategy for diluting pollutants and therefore reducing your exposure.
The Breathable Home installs Venmar ventilation systems. These mechanical blowers push polluted, stale air out of the home and bring fresh air in throughout the day. The unit is placed where it can ventilate the entire house, boosting indoor air quality. In Maine, we use an Energy-Recovery or Heat-Recovery system based on your needs to reduce your home heating bills. These energy-efficient systems capture up to 85% of the heat that would otherwise be lost to the outside, lowering your use of energy.
HVAC Practices for Cleaner Indoor Air
We can also test your HVAC equipment to ensure properly combustion safety. Routine furnace maintenance protects your home against harmful gas leaks and ensures equipment is adequately venting furnace gases.
Maintaining your heating system helps prevent indoor air quality issues. Changing furnace filters regularly and ensuring that your ductwork is properly sealed, for example, reduces dust mite populations. Weatherizing and moisture sealing your crawlspace commonly boosts indoor air quality, because much of the air from the first floor of your home originates from the crawlspace.
Do you want to improve your indoor air quality? Contact The Breathable Home today to get started.
