How Much do you Know About What You are Breathing

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE BREATHING? BROAN-NUTONE CLEARS THE AIR Homeowners are aware that indoor air quality (IAQ) is an issue; some even connect allergies and respiratory problems to it. But according to a national survey from Broan-NuTone and Kelton, many lack a practical understanding of the more overt indicators of unhealthy air. This awareness gap means that many Americans aren't taking appropriate measures to prevent airborne pollutants and improve the air they breathe. The good news? There are a number of simple solutions that can help clear the air for good. Most Are Aware But May Not Know 90% of American homeowners realize that poor indoor air quality can contribute to certain health issues and that healthy air could help prevent illness. Only two in five (42%) worry about moisture that could cause mold or mildew. A majority (60%) of homeowners know that indoor air quality has a greater impact on their health than outdoor air quality. Less than one-quarter (22%) actually worry about the poor air quality in their homes. They are much more concerned with bugs or intruders. Only 33% of Americans know that the smell of food lasting in the home after it's been prepared is an indicator of poor IAQ. 81% don't know that a foggy mirror means poor IAQ. And Haven't Acted 41% of Americans say that their bathroom mirror fogs up when they shower. Less than half of Americans (46%) recognize that a lack of a bathroom fan has a negative impact on indoor air quality, and only 42% recognize that a lack of a range hood also has a negative impact. They are much more aware of more visible threats to air quality, like smoking (74%) and having a pet (54%). Only 61% of American homeowners have a range hood, and only 33% of that group uses it nearly every time they cook; only 27% keep it on for 10 minutes after they're done cooking. Nearly 6 in 10 have a fan in each bathroom but only one in five keep it on for 10 minutes after showering. Only 7% say that they change it when their mirrors start fogging up. HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO SS Keep Humidity Levels In Check. Clear The Kitchen Air. Strike Some Balance. Keep It Clean. A balanced ventilation system equalizes A common mistake homeowners make is not using a range hood to remove pollutants created from cooking and preparing meals. Over-the-range microwaves with built-in fans are popular because they save space; however, those units fail to capture smoke in the same way that conventional range hoods do · which is important to creating good IAQ. To prevent mold and mildew, especially in bathrooms, make sure the area is properly ventilated. Test how effective your existing bath fan is by holding a piece of tissue paper near it. If the fan is removing air properly, the paper will be drawn against the grill and remain there as long as the fan is on. If not, it's time for a replacement. indoor air pressure and removes stale air from your home. These systems may include Heat Recovery (HRV) or Energy Recovery (ERV) features. ERVS Simple solutions, including cleaning door mats, vacuuming once a week, washing sheets in hot water, adding house plants and limiting the use of high-VOC cleaning products can make a big difference. and HRVS should include HEPA filtration for more effective capture of airborne particles. BROAN offers extremely energy-efficient models. www.broan.com