Protecting Your Home From Indoor Air Pollution (NAPSA)—According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. However, inside the home, many pollutant levels are often two to five times higher than pollutant levels outdoors. The EPA andits Science Advisory Board have also ranked indoor air pollution amongthe top five environmental risks to public health. So, what can people do to improveindoor air quality (IAQ) in the home? Source Control One of the most effective and cost-efficient ways home owners can improve IAQis to eliminate individual sources of pollution and/or to reduce their emissions. For example, sources that contain asbestos can be sealed or enclosed, and gas stoves can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. Ventilation Asecond way to improve IAQ in the homeis to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home-heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring fresh air into a house. A ventilation system can correct this problem, by replacing a portion of stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, reducing energy loss in the process. Air exchangers from York Heating and Cooling, for instance, let users manually or automatically adjust the fresh air flow. The units retain energy used to heat or cool the home, saving home owners moneyonutility bills. There are a number of ways people can clear the air in their homes. Similarly, the company’s energyefficient heat recovery ventilators bring outdoorair inside to help improve IAQ. Designed for cooler climates, the unit transfers heat, helps reduce window condensation and includesa defrost package that has five speeds for specific demands. Air Cleaners A third approach to improving IAQ is to incorporate an air cleaner. Electronic and media air cleaners from York remove up to 94 percent of particles, including dust, pollens, pet dander, plant spores, fungi, bacteria and tobacco smoke from the air. A home owner’s standard furnace or air-conditioner filter removes only some of the larger contaminants that enter their system. The long-term performanceof any air cleaner depends on maintaining it, according to the manufacturer’s directions. For more information, visit www.yorkupg.com or call 1-800910-YORK.
