The severe winter conditions in my local area keep my family inside for more than half the year.
With feet of snow on the ground, temperatures in the negatives and a dangerous windchill, we spend as little time outside as possible.
It’s necessary to run the furnace from sometime in October or November until the end of April or even early May. Because of the high cost of heating bills, I take every precaution to seal up the house and prevent energy waste. I’ve replaced windows, added insulation, installed ceiling fan and regularly caulk and weatherstrip. Creating a tight thermal envelope elevates the efficiency of the furnace but also eliminates natural ventilation. Contaminants can become trapped in the house and endlessly circulated. There are potential sources of pollutants in every room of the house. The dog as well as processes such as cooking, showering and cleaning contribute to the problem. Odors, dander, dust, bacteria, viruses, VOCs and all sorts of harmful toxins can deteriorate the integrity of our breathing air. Poor indoor air quality can be blamed for numerous health conditions. Everything from coughing, sneezing, congestion and sore throat to respiratory infection, migraines and insomnia can be blamed on breathing unhealthy air. I am diligent about replacing air filters and scheduling professional maintenance for the furnace and air conditioner. I have the ductwork tested, cleaned and sealed every few years. I’ve also taken proactive measures, such as the installation of a whole-home air purifier. The air purifier is installed into the ductwork and traps contaminants as the air passes through. The device also emits positive and negative ions into the living space. These ions kill pathogens and cause particles to clump together and be more easily filtered out.