At this time of year many feel like closing all the windows and cranking up the furnace.  The problem is, what happens to the indoor air quality with all those windows closed and all of that heat?  Newer homes have been built using insulating materials and a vapour barrier to keep energy costs at bay.  The goal of insulating them is to keep outside air outside, which is great, but…  modern floor covering, paint, and items of furniture comprises chemicals which off-gas into our environment.    A story circulated my way of a wealthy couple who custom built their third house.  The entire home contained new materials, and having lived there for only two days the wife began to complain of illness and discomfort.  By the week’s end she was in a hotel room, and the husband was left to call the real estate agent to start a listing.  If you are experiencing trouble breathing, if you are feeling sick or weak, the solution may be as simple as getting some fresh air.

Unfortunately the city is not the best place to find clean air, and the country may be too far away.  In the winter months, the air near ground level contains higher levels of carcinogens due to exhaust vapours cooling rapidly not being able to rise.  This, among other environmental factors such as relative humidity creates a problem for us.   Asthma statistics provided are for Canada, and include regions where cold air is the norm for 4-7 months of the year.  My quick analysis of the data shows children, women and seniors at higher risk than men.  I believe this fact is due to the greater amount of time these individuals are spending in the home.  So what can we do to improve these disturbing numbers?  Well, lets start with a filter.

Some of my friends on Facebook and Twitter have heard me chirp about changing your furnace filter regularly.  Because 6 out of 10 households use forced air gas heating, I’ll mention it again here in different context and greater detail.  There are a few designs for these items, and they come in different shapes and sizes.  Almost every unit will have the filter located on the inlet side of the furnace to prevent dust and debris from reaching the main fan.  A poor quality filter will allow dust through, and therefore will not look as if it needs changing.  A high quality filter will become plugged more readily, and eventually will not even allow light to pass through.  Washable filters are available, and although the initial cost is higher, they save you money in the long run. There are additional measures that can be taken along with regular filter change.  Light can actually be used to aid in the reduction of airborne pathogens by burning small microbes with UV radiation.  Good ‘ol alternating current has also been employed in the fight against dust particles with the invention of Electronic Air Cleaners.  Standalone air purifiers offer portability and proximity if there is a specific room you’d like to target.  I get so excited about clean air in my home, I often need to vent!

The key to keeping the atmosphere fresh inside is letting some of the outside atmoshpere in.  Unfortunately, opening a window is not the best solution.  In the winter months this causes heat loss. In summer months, we’re letting in unwanted warm, humid air.  Thanks to developments in HVAC technology, some solutions have been found.  The Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), and Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) have air-to-air heat exchangers built into a ducted unit. With an energy-recovery ventilator, the heat exchanger transfers a certain amount of water vapor along with heat energy, while a heat-recovery ventilator only transfers heat. The part of the country in which you live will dictate that type of unit that is right for your needs. Generally speaking – HRVs are usually recommended for colder climates with longer heating seasons. ERVs are used for warmer, more humid climates with long cooling seasons. I’m not an expert on these machines, so I saught out information from Tim of the Hayter Group.  He told me the usual procedure is for them to do an IAQ investigation.  I learned that the ventilation needs of each home vary.  They depend greatly on not only the materials and methods used to construct the building, but also the habits and activities of its occupants.  Finding a home’s HRV requirements should be done by a professional to ensure accurate results.  The assesment will inform you of the size and type of unit recommended, and may lead to lower energy costs as the results will show how well insulated or”tight” the house is.  Our comfort is a function of temperature and humidity and each person has different preferences, the common element is clean air though, no-one enjoys difficulty breathing.  Below are some images of three types of installations.

For those of us living in apartments, an indoor air quality investigtion perhaps is neither affordable or practical. Instead we are forced to make small improvements to the way our air is cleaned. Taking the smoke outside is a good first step. Running the hood fan while cooking is a great idea, as long as it actually vents to the outside, most apartments have hood fans that simply shoot the air back into the room it came from. The bathroom exhaust is another important one to use to keep the humid air out when showering or having a bath. Regular cleaning of carpets and upholstered surfaces will prevent accumulation of dust, pet dander, and pollen or mold spores. Houseplants can also be very usefull in taking contaminants out of the air, and beautifying our living spaces. Certain types of plants are better than others, the best air cleaners are; Epipremnum sp. (Golden Pothos), Ficus sp. (Ficus), and Aglaonema sp. (Chinese Evergreen). There are certain varieties which remove toxic chemicals such as benzene, Gerbera Daisies and Chrysanthemums. These and other plants go a long way to helping if you have the windows to put them in and a green enough thumb to keep them alive. Living in a basement unit requires a different approach, such as a selfcontained air cleaning system. Many types are available, just check the capacity listed on the box before you buy one, they are rated for room size.

The obvious article to write here would be about living in a safe place, and making your environment healthy while you’re at home.  Since you’re already churning away with those ideas, I’ll be happy to introduce fresh food for thought.  The last thing you think about when you’re going out the door is usually where your going.  In your mind there is a checklist of items that need attention; keys, wallet/purse, sunglasses, etc.  There are important items you’ll need to get you to where you’re headed or once you get there.  I’m focusing on what you’ll need to prepare your home when you go on vacation.

You’ve probably left your home so many times you often forget that it may not be exactly the same way when you return.   The first consideration should be the pets.  There are caregiving kennels who make it there business to host your animals while you are away.  Cats, dogs, and other four-legged roomates can be shuffled to family or friends’ places also for accomodation.  Depending on the length of absence the fish can fend for themselves with a slow release feed solution, good for up to a week.  Clean the tank the day before you leave and ensure the water is stabilized before your trip.  You should have a friend or neighbour stop by to check on things if you’re away and the power fails.  It’s always nice to open the door to your dwelling and see that everyone is alive and well as you left them.

Onto the technical systems, lets talk water.  Depending on the age of your home, pipes can leak or burst at the least expected times.   I’ve actually called a friend to check on my kitchen because a vision of a flooded floor came to mind.  An open tap left attached to a roll-away dishwasher can be very messy.  If an extended journey keeps you away, why not shut off the pressure at the incoming supply, turn off the hot-water heater at the breaker (or remove the fuses, both solutions for an electric tank style heater), then half-open a hot water tap on an upper floor to relieve the pressure on the pipes.  When your trip is through, open the supply, shut the tap upstairs, and flick on the breaker to warm things back to where they need to be.  If you have a gas or propane hot water tank, simply dial the temperature down as low as it will allow (shutting the valve will extinguish a pilot flame that can later be difficult to light).  I especially recommend this if you are gone in the winter months because a failed furnace can lead to your basement becoming an indoor swimming pool.

Ah yes, the furnace.  What is the right temp to leave your abode whilst navigating abroad?  It is tempting to shut things off completely in order to shrink the cost of utilities, and in summer months I say go for it, even leave a second story window a crack open for some vent.  In the cold however I recommend no lower than 14 degrees Celsius (57 F).  The pipes won’t freeze and frost won’t form until zero it’s true however the thermostat is located in a central area, and the pipes are more remote.  By the time heat reaches the extremities, under and inside cabinets, it can be ten degrees cooler.

An aquaintance  left a single lamp in a front window lit when she traveled.  In her mind it served as a deterrent to would be burglars.  Switching it on one time she realized the bulb was burnt and quickly replaced it with the only type she had, and promptly left for an overnight visit with friends.  She recieved a phone call telling her her house had suffered a fire that could have been prevented if a lower wattage bulb had been used for that lamp.  If you feel more secure knowing that a light is on, small CSA approved timers attached to a couple of lamps in different rooms can easily be set-up a night or two in advance to make sure they work properly.  You may find they are useful even when you’re home.  In most cases, insurance will cover break and enter, so when I go somewhere, I shut everything off except the refrigerator and freezer.

What is that smell?  After a two week Alaskan cruise the salmon salad in your fridge will be unrecognizable.  Make it a habit to look on the other side of the most opened door in the house before long trips.  Don’t forget the drawers,  rotten cabbage, need I say more?

Well that’s it, I’m carrying on and running late for the show.  Now . . . where’d I put my keys?