(NAPSA)—If you’re among the tens of thousands of Americans who will be installing new energy- efficiency products in their homes, you should consider making your homehealthier, too. The U.S. Environmental Pro- tection Agency estimates the air inside a typical American home may beup to five times morepolluted than outside air. Contributing to the problem are construction practices and products that seal the home, preventing outside air from diluting indoor pollutants including pet dander, pollen, dust mites and other allergens—and even some viruses. Here are three home improvements recommended by the nation’s leading green building programs that contribute to a healthier living environment: * Healthy Cleaning—The right type of built-in central vacuum system captures up to five times more dust and allergens than a conventional vacuum and completely removes them from the living area. And because the motor and collection receptacle are outside the living area, a central vacuum system will not blow air into the room, stirring up dust. In fact, allergy patients’ symptoms improved up to 61 percent when they used a Beam Central Vacuum System to clean their homes. Clear the Air—The company also makes HEPAAir Filtration Systems. They provide three A central vacuum system com- pletely removes captured dust and allergens to a collection receptacle outside the living area, improving the air quality of the home. stages of filtration that are 99.97 percentefficient at removing particles as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke, allergens, bacte- ria or viruses that attach to dust particles. Such new types of wholehouse filtration systems can be installed on the air return of the home’s heating and cooling system. Control Humidity—Allergens, especially dust mites, thrive in a moist environment. Installing an air-conditioning system equipped with a dehumidifier can maintain relative humidity levels below 60 percent, which will limit dust mite populations and prevent mold. For more information, visit www.beam.com.
