There are many ways to increase home air quality, save energy, and reduce costs at the same time. Making these changes will not only save money, but will increase your home’s value as it becomes more energy efficient. It is no secret that a home’s efficiency is a major selling point for today’s home buyer. If you are thinking about selling your home, it is possible to dramatically increase your selling price by making your home inexpensive to heat and maintain.

Here are some tips on how to make your home more energy efficient:

Start by having your home furnace inspected and serviced annually. Replacing furnace filters each month helps your furnace run better as well as helps to ensure that the air circulating in your home is cleaner. Your furnace won’t have to work as hard, which can reduce your power bill. Replacing an older furnace with a newer energy efficient furnace adds home value as well, but is not necessary in most cases.

Adding extra insulation to your attic will help block heat loss through the roof and add home value as well. Dropping your thermostat a few degrees means less energy costs – for both you and your potential buyer. Slightly cooler temperatures at night can result in better sleep. Temperature settings can be reduced when family members are gone. A programmable thermostat does this automatically.

Investing in a programmable thermostat provides utility savings and increases home value. Installation is easy enough for a do it yourselfer. But, this is also an inexpensive project for a paid handyman if the job needs to be hired out. These thermostats can be programmed for specific temperatures by the hour or day with automatic settings perfect for each family’s needs. This is an attractive feature for future home buyers.

Over time, windows and doors may develop drafts. Cold air seeps in and and warmed air escapes. Calking around glass and sills, and adding weather stripping provides instant benefits. Weather stripping can be purchased in colors to match woodwork and comes in self adhesive strips that are easy to cut to fit and easy to install. Attractive air tight windows and doors that properly seal in air and prevent energy losses also increase home values.

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The Environmental Protection Agency, suggests that Indoor Air Quality is up to 5 times more polluted than the air outdoors, and in some cases, this figure is considerably higher. As the majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, you might like to stop and wonder what impact this is having on your health and well-being.

If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, and have not been able to determine the cause, it may be worth looking at your Indoor Air Quality.

• Flu like symptoms
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sinus problems
• Eye irritations
• Chronic respiratory problems, Asthma
• Eczema and skin irritations
• Feeling ‘under the weather’

There are a number of factors that can compromise your Indoor Air Quality. They may include:

• Inadequate ventilation
• Insufficiently maintained heating/cooling systems
• Chemical substances. For example, household cleaning solutions
• Synthetic building materials, finishes and paints (releasing toxic compounds)
• Animal dander
• Dust and dust mites
• Pollen
• Smoking

Rest assured there are measures that you can take to improve your Indoor Air Quality.

1. Improve Ventilation. Opening your windows and switching ceiling fans on can greatly improve the quality of the air indoors. Adequate ventilation is particularly important in wet areas, such as bathrooms.

2. Service Heating/Cooling Systems Regularly. The manufacturer’s instructions will guide you in caring for, and maintaining your system. Also, make sure that you have your system serviced regularly. Ensure that all systems, as well as fire places are sufficiently flued.

3. Eliminate Chemical Substances. There are plenty of environmentally friendly, green cleaning products available on the market. Alternatively, go back to the basics of your grandparents’ generation for keeping the house clean. You will be amazed at what you can do with some bicarbonate of soda and vinegar! That way, you not only save money, you avoid polluting the environment, and you can protect you and your family from the negative effects of toxic chemicals in your home.

4. Natural Building Materials. Avoiding synthetic and chemically treated products will help to reduce the risk of compromising your Indoor Air Quality. For example, use low V.O.C paints on walls. ‘Natural’ is a word that is sometimes overly abused, so the key here, is to do your research. Many companies include the word ‘natural’ into their marketing, although it does not necessarily mean that the product is completely natural.

5. Clean Your Home Regularly. This can go a long way towards reducing the problems associated with poor Indoor Air Quality, caused by dust, dust mites, animal dander, pollen and mold, etc. It may be worth considering the benefits of investing in a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

6. Air Purifiers. Air Purification Systems assist in removing contaminants from the air. Other ways to purify the air in your home include:

• House plants such as Areca Palms and Peace Lilies assist in removing harmful toxins from the air.
• Natural beeswax candles clean the air naturally and emit healthy ions (similar to the air you breathe by the ocean, or on a mountain).
• Himalayan Salt lamps. As the salt is heated, it produces healthy ions.

7. Smoke Detectors. Install combination smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can be produced by faulty household appliances such as gas heaters.

8. Avoid Smoking In The Home.

Taking the above steps can go a long way towards improving your Indoor Air Quality.

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If your ducts are not cleaned regularly, you may be increasing your risk of suffering from the many symptoms and illnesses associated with indoor air pollution. Many types of pollutants and small particles can collect within the ducts that include mold, fungus, dust, bacteria and viruses as well as other outdoor pollutants, such as exhaust fumes, pollen and animal hair. The more these particles collect within the ducts, the higher chance you have of developing illnesses and symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality.

If you have allergies, you are even more susceptible to the high concentration of contaminants that may be circulating within your home. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of symptoms that include nausea, headaches, respiratory illness, congestion, eye and nose irritation, runny nose, trouble concentrating, malaise (generally not feeling well) and lethargy. It also increases the risk of contracting illnesses such as colds, flu and fungal or other infections. Indoor air pollution greatly contributes to the amount of severity of symptoms suffered by those with allergies and can even contribute to the development of new allergies.

Many times we do not think about the quality of air we air we breathe while inside our homes. However, the American Lung Association estimates that we spend anywhere from 60-90% of our time indoors. Usually, the pollutants and fine particles found within the air we breathe indoors are at substantially higher levels of concentration compared to the air outdoors. This makes those with allergies at especially high risk for the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality that may in part be attributed to the debris collected within our ducts.

Dust buildup is the most common cause of asthma and is also the biggest allergen within the home. The more dust buildup there is, the more dust mites there will be, which are true causes of dust allergies. The large quantities of dust mites that are found with collections of dust within your ducts and airborne dust particles are a major contributor to the allergy symptoms experienced by the vast majority people. It is hard to rid your house of dust and avoid the health risks of the allergic reactions attributed to dust mites if there is a large amount of dust buildup within your ducts. This dust is then circulated in high concentrations within your home and is breathed in causing a much higher risk of allergy symptoms and allergic reactions within the body.

Regular duct cleaning is essential for clean indoor air quality and the reduction of the potential health hazards associated with indoor air pollution. It is even more essential for those that suffer from allergies to avoid the severe symptoms associated with them. Dust is the most common allergy, but many other allergens can be found in high concentrations within the ducts and in the indoor air you breathe including pollen, animal hair and fungus. It is important that you clean your ducts regularly. If you do, you will find this will greatly reduce and even relieve the many allergy symptoms you are experiencing and will also reduce your chance for other indoor air pollution health risks. The most important component of your duct cleaning system is the compressor.

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Yου mау nοt realize іt bυt thе air quality іn home οr business mау bе worse thаn уου thіnk, especially during thе winter months. In thе winter, windows аrе rarely opened аnd thе same stale warm air іѕ usually reticulated throughout thе building. Air quality іѕ ѕο poor іn fact thаt ѕοmе studies hаνе shown thаt indoor air quality during thе winter months іѕ 10 times worse thаn during οthеr seasons. If уου’d lіkе tο improve уουr health, уου ѕhουld ѕtаrt wіth thе air уου breath. Here аrе 10 things thаt саn improve уουr indoor air quality. 

1. Decorate wіth Live Indoor Plants: Plants аrе nature’s way οf cleaning air. Thеrе аrе many chemicals саn contribute tο poor indoor air quality аnd many οf thе chemicals thаt mаkе υѕ sick аrе thе ones thаt plants thrive upon аnd convert tο fresh air. 

2. Don’t Smoke Indoors: Thіѕ tip seems tο bе a pretty obvious one, bυt саn provide challenges fοr regular smokers. Bυt thеrе аrе hundreds οf dаngеrουѕ chemicals іn smoke thаt саn bе harmful tο уουr health. Tο protect thе quality аnd freshness οf уουr indoor air уου ѕhουld tеll anyone thаt smokes, tο dο ѕο outside. Sοmе business’s especially bars аnd restaurants now hаνе areas wіth ventilation fans thаt pull contaminants out οf thе air. whісh іѕ thе rule wе implemented, whісh іѕ another option during thе winter months. 

3. Don’t υѕе Aerosols: Aerosols саn case respiratory dіѕtrеѕѕ іn those people wіth lung disease οr asthma. Instead, substitute aerosols wіth οthеr products thаt dο nοt disperse themselves іntο thе air οr thаt υѕе a spray bottle instead οf using compressed air іn a саn. 

4. Cleaning Yουr Shower Curtain аnd Humidifiers: Moist environments encourage thе growth οf mold. Yου ѕhουld replace уουr shower curtain іf іt hаѕ a large amount οf mold οn іt. If thе mold іѕ minimal, уου саn remove thе shower curtain аnd scrub іt wіth a household cleaner аnd rinse before re-hanging. 

5. Check Plant’s Soil fοr Mold: If thе potting soil уου’re plant іѕ growing іn hаѕ mold уου ѕhουld repot іt. Such mold usually appears аѕ white fuzz. Thіѕ wіll hеlр tο improve уουr indoor air quality. Tο prevent іt іn thе future, bе sure nοt tο over water уουr plants. 

6. Change Air Filters: Tο improve indoor air quality, air filters wеrе аll ѕhουld bе changed οn a regular basis. It doesn’t take long fοr thе filters tο fill wіth dust аnd οthеr particles. Bυt еνеrу particle caught bу уουr filter іѕ one less уου’ll hаνе tο breath іn. 

7. Uѕе Ventilating Fans: Ventilation fans exist fοr a reason аnd thаt іѕ tο ventilate thе areas whеrе thеу exist. Thеу аrе usually found іn kitchens аnd bathrooms. It couldn’t hυrt tο install thеm іn аnу area wіth smoke οr fumes such аѕ a garage. In fact lots οf billiard halls υѕе thеm. Thеу ѕhουld pull unclean air out οf уουr house οr building. 

8. Vacuum And Dust: It’s obvious tο vacuum carpets уου ѕhουld аlѕο vacuum οthеr areas such аѕ уουr furniture аnd drapes. Fοr thеѕе things іt mіght bе best tο gеt a smaller hand held vacuum. Yου ѕhουld аlѕο dust weekly tο keep thе “dust mites” аt bay. Yου mіght want tο wear a dust mask whіlе vacuuming bесаυѕе іt саn actually kick dust up temporarily. 

9. Groom аnd Clеаn аftеr Pets: Shedding hair саn a problem tο уουr air quality, bυt wіth thе better vacuuming regular grooming уου саn solve a lot οf thе problems. Yου ѕhουld аlѕο regularly bath уουr pets аnd сlеаn thеіr areas οr cages. Fοr cats, іt mіght hеlр tο mονе уουr litter box іntο аn area wіth less human traffic, lіkе thе garage. 

10. Lеt ѕοmе fresh Air In: It mіght nοt bе thе mοѕt pleasant thing tο dο іn thе winter, whеn іt’s сοld outside, bυt maybe уου сουld open thе window whіlе уου take a qυісk trip tο thе store. Yου’d bе surprised out hοw bіg οf a dіffеrеnсе іt mаkеѕ.

 If уου follow thеѕе steps thе air quality οf уουr indoor air wіll improve dramatically, whісh wіll result уου enjoying thе indoor environment οf уουr home οr business more аnd thе improved health thаt comes wіth better air.

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Traditionally, a furnace air filter aims to only capture relatively large particles of dust. Now, however, advanced models that use HEPA or electrostatic air filtration have been able to maintain high efficiency ratings of more than 90%, which simply cannot be compared to the weak 5% efficiency filtration of a disposable filter.

Electrostatic furnace filters are extremely balanced filters, designed to remove 95% of contaminants from the air and have little restriction on the air flow; this ensures that your furnace doesn’t begin to over-compensate for reduced air flow due to a dirty filter and wear out.

Other Benefits Found in the Cost: They have a lifetime warranty, and are extremely easy to maintain, needing only to be washed out every three months. They save you hundreds of dollars by eliminating the monthly cost of purchasing disposable filters. It can be claimed on your insurance if it has been prescribed by a doctor and covered in your health plan.

HEPA air filters may be more expensive and may require special installation, but they can efficiently trap even submicron particles; they are up to 99% efficient, making them the number one choice on the market today if you live in high pollution areas or suffer from dust allergies.

It is very important that while capturing the dust particles, the furnace air filter does not restrict the furnace air flow. This is why any furnace filter will need regular inspection and maintenance or replacement.

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These are strategically bundled to meet the expectations of all budgets. They also all include complementary Carbon Monoxide testing as one of the main components in achieving a safe home environment.

Silver – Basic Budget Bundle
This package provides the complete cleaning of your furnace and vents, and it includes the complimentary Carbon Monoxide test.

• Complete furnace cleaning and tune up
• The perfect fit for any budget
• Includes a complimentary Carbon Monoxide test

View Silver Package

Gold – Always Clean Package
Our Gold, Always Clean Package is a value-filled option that has become a client favourite, with more than $130 worth of savings and a personalized approach to the complete Indoor Air Quality management of your home.

• Complete furnace cleaning and tune up
• Our most popular package based on value, yet still affordable
• Includes complimentary Carbon Monoxide test and Volts & Amps test, system sanitization, and our special home care package

View Gold Package

Platinum - Executive Premium Package
Our Platinum, Executive Premium Package is the mother-load of our offers, overflowing with savings and value that simply can’t be matched. It also includes a complimentary furnace performance check-up in six months.

•  Complete furnace cleaning and tune up
• Incredible value, including everything in our Silver and Gold packages and more – like a free furnace chimney stack cleaning…
• additional offers available ONLY through the purchase of this package

View Platinum Package

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Fortunately, you can often combat mold in your home through DIY home improvement techniques that are not terribly difficult or expensive. First, invest in a quality dehumidifier. This will help prevent the growth of mold by removing moisture from the air.  Dehumidifiers can help reduce the risk of indoor air pollution, and save on home improvement and repair later. They also create a more comfortable home. Dehumidifiers rid your house of the stagnant, clammy feeling created by the humid days. Mold thrives on moisture, so pay careful attention to any part of your house where condensation or leakage may occur. Mold can lurk in cracks between tile, or bubbles under kitchen linoleum, or anywhere else that the humidity is high. Bleach is a great mold killer.

After cleaning a mold-covered area, either by DIY or by a professional, protect yourself from future attacks to your indoor air quality; paint over the areas with a mold-sealing paint, and use dehumidifiers to prevent future problems. Because indoor air pollution can occur in hard-to-see places, use creative DIY home improvement techniques to further investigate. For example, remove any wall covers that you may have for electricity, phone or television cables. This will allow you to be able to look within your walls to detect the presence of mold. If found, you can take simple measures such as removing and replacing just the section of drywall that is infected, to promote healthier indoor air quality in your home. Keep in mind that if mold damage is severe, then home insurance companies are likely to cap claim money to about 5000 dollars in funds. This makes DIY prevention even more important, to eliminate the health risks from indoor air pollution by spores. Not only will these steps keep indoor air pollution to a minimum, but they will keep your money in your wallet, and not your doctor’s or contractor’s.

Source: Purified Living

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In addition to regularly inspecting your furnace’s filter, brush and vacuum the heat exchanger surfaces every year, if recommended by your owner’s manual. Before the heating season, clean the blower blades and seal any air leaks in ducts with several wraps of duct tape.

Here’s how to change a replaceable filter:

1) Turn off the power to the unit.

2) Look for the door or panel that conceals the blower; sometimes this is marked “Filter.” Lift this door or panel off its holding hooks, or unscrew its retaining screws to remove it.

3) Standard filters are mounted next to or under the blower motor. Slide the filter out along its tracks. Check to see whether it is a disposable filter or intended to be cleaned and replaced—this information should be marked on the filter’s edge, along with directions for cleaning, if applicable. If it’s a disposable filter, its size will likely be printed on the frame’s edge. Make a note of it.

4) Buy a replacement, and slide it into place, noting that arrows stamped on the side indicate the proper direction of airflow; be sure you face these in the proper direction.

5) While you have the furnace open, vacuum out the area around the blower. If possible, slide out the fan unit, clean each fan blade with a toothbrush, and then vacuum with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner.

6) Look for oil ports on the motor, normally located near the motor shaft. If the motor has these, apply two to three drops of non-detergent motor oil into each port (you may have to remove a cover plate to do this). Most contemporary motors don’t require lubrication, but motors with oil ports should be lubricated once a year.

7) Look for worn belts between the motor and pulleys. If you see any , see Furnace or Air Handler Squeal.

Source: HomeTips.com

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In the study, David Layton and Paloma Beamer found that over 60 percent of house dust originates outdoors. They note that household dust consists of a mixture that includes dead skin shed by people, fibers from carpets and upholstered furniture, and tracked-in soil and airborne particles blown in from outdoors. It can include lead, arsenic and other potentially harmful substances that migrate indoors from outside air and soil. This can be of special concern for children, who can ingest these substances by spending time on a dusty floor, or by putting dusty toys and other objects into their mouths.

They estimated that nearly 60 percent of the arsenic in floor dust could come from arsenic in the surrounding air, with the remainder derived from tracked-in soil.

So then, I wasn’t too far off base when I wrote Please Remove Shoes Before Entering, extolling five reasons for removing shoes before entering the home: number two being toxins-toxins-toxins! Even so, many people are wildly opposed to removing their shoes when visiting others’ homes. To each his own and all, but still.

Aside from keeping dust out of the home in the first place, I like microfiber cloths to tackle surface dust once it has invaded. They are eco-friendly because they reduce the use of cleaning products and paper towels or other disposables, and they thoroughly remove dust, allergens and bacteria.

To clean dust from the floor, the right vacuum is essential. Suction alone often isn’t enough to get much dust out of carpet; for best results, use an upright vacuum with an agitator, although some canister vacuums with agitators work well for carpet too. For wood, tile or vinyl flooring, use a canister vacuum without an agitator–or with an agitator that can be turned off–using an agitator on hard flooring actually kicks up more dust than it sucks up.

By Melissa Breyer via Care2

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