How To Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally

Some people don’t know that poor indoor air quality can be dangerous to your health. However, the reality is that indoor air can contain harmful contaminants that lead to health problems. Fragrances, pet dander, household cleaners, and dust are some examples of indoor pollutants that often appear when a home air quality test is performed. Since you spend most of your time indoors, it would be wise to keep your indoor air clean for a comfortable environment. Here are some tips to ensure that you protect and clean the air that you breathe indoors all year long. Check Your Furniture Some furniture is made of toxic materials and glues that can pollute your indoor air. The toxic glues contain harmful chemicals. Some finishing products like varnishes can affect the health of asthmatic people and those suffering from allergies. You can prevent indoor air pollution naturally by avoiding furniture treated with chemicals and furniture pieces assemble using toxic glues. Salt Lamps Salt crystal products are great at reducing airborne irritants, allergens, and pathogens by extracting water vapor from the air. A salt lamp is a natural way of cleaning your indoor air because it works by pulling toxins from your surroundings...

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All About MERV Filters and Their Benefits

Before air enters the heating and cooling portion of your HVAC system in Oak Harbor, WA, it passes through an air filter. Some people think that the only difference between air filters is their size. Choose the correct size, they think, and there’s nothing left to consider. However, there is a wide range of filters that differ based on their MERV rating, giving you far more to choose from than just the size of the filter. By reading through this guide from on MERV ratings, you’ll be better able to understand how to use this measurement to keep your home healthy and comfortable. What Is a MERV Rating? Every air filter is assigned a MERV rating. The acronym MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. While this sounds complicated, you can think of it simply as a measure of how much particulate matter a filter can capture in its fibers. Filters that are tightly woven and can catch a wide variety of particles have a higher MERV rating, while filters that are less dense have a lower MERV rating. You can find the MERV rating on any filter by checking the package when you buy it in the store. Typically,...

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How to Improve Seasonal Allergies with Better Indoor Air

Many people who battle allergies on a seasonal basis think of their homes as sanctuaries where they can seek respite from their symptoms. Often, this is not actually the case. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified poor indoor air quality as a serious health risk for Americans. The average home has allergens, contaminants and pollutants from both outdoor and indoor sources that can trigger allergies and worsen symptoms. There are, however, steps you can take to change this. Ensure Optimal Ventilation The first step is to ensure that your home has adequate ventilation. Due to advancements in construction, new homes tend to be well-sealed. If the ventilation is inadequate, allergens, contaminants and pollutants can persist in the home at highly concentrated levels. Older homes are at less risk of these elevated levels. However, older homes are more susceptible to pollen and other allergens from outside sources. Have your home ventilation assessed and perhaps even a home energy audit performed. Schedule AC maintenance on a seasonal basis and duct cleaning every several years or so, and ensure that your air filters are changed as needed, which can vary from home to home. Allergen-Proof Your Home Your next goal should be to...

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How to Reduce the Indoor Dust In Your Home

If you’ve ever dusted your furniture only to have it be covered in dust again after a few hours, you know how frustrating indoor dust can be. Made up of millions of particles from a variety of sources, dust is impossible to eradicate completely. This is especially true when you consider that a large portion of dust is made up of dead skin cells, something your body is losing on a constant basis. Even though dust will always be a part of your Oak Harbor home, there are some steps that we at can offer to help you to keep the dust at bay. Here are a few ideas to help you get started. Use a High-Quality Furnace Filter One of your best allies in the fight against dust in your house is your HVAC system. As the system circulates air to condition it, the air is pulled through a filter that stops dust in its tracks. The types of dust that the filter can capture are determined by the filter’s MERV rating. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Essentially, this refers to how tightly wound the filter fibers are, which ultimately determines the size of particles that can...

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Why Some Rooms Need More Ventilation Than Others

It’s important that each room in your house has proper ventilation. This allows moist air to flow out of your home and be replaced by fresh air in a timely manner. However, some rooms in your home will need extra help to ensure that the air doesn’t remain moist or stale. Your Attic Should Have Extra Ventilation Your home’s attic is where air will typically first make its way into your home. If it’s not able to escape, then it could cause many different problems. For instance, it may be possible for mold or mildew to thrive in the warm, dark, and wet conditions. Basement Ventilation The last thing that you want is for damp air to remain in your basement. In addition to the possibility of mold or other bacteria spores growing and thriving, it can lead to foundation damage or damage to HVAC components such as the furnace. If you notice damage to any of your HVAC components, in Oak Harbor can help. We can install and repair both heating and cooling systems, and we also have a wide range of products to help meet your needs and budget. Ventilation Should Be a Priority in Bathrooms and Kitchens...

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How to Maintain Great Indoor Air Quality During the Winter Months

As the winter months set in, getting cozy in a warm home is what most people look forward to. Even if you have a decent central air or heating system installed, your home’s heating comfort potential may not be as high as you thought. When was the last time you checked for leaks? How much electricity or fuel are you using? As you ask these questions and check your home, here are a few details to help you understand what it takes to maintain a comfortable, efficient heating system in the winter. Is Your Home Properly Sealed? In order to heat (or even cool) efficiently, a home needs to be well-sealed. This means covering up as many cracks, gaps, holes or other openings that can’t be sealed as easily as opening or closing a door or window. This doesn’t mean your home needs to become a sealed-off laboratory or hermetically sealed container — although you could make that happen with remodeling and the right materials. You just need to get rid of any gaps that allow outside air to critically interfere with inside air. What does critically interfere mean? The rate varies, but as a consumer, it means enough to...

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