221 Waverley Rd. Unit 6
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2X 2C3
902 434-4475
info@eastwingproducts.com
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IAQ What you should know
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IAQ stands for Indoor Air Quality and is a cause for concern in most homes.
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Indoor air can be more harmful than outdoor air up to 100 times more pollutants can be found indoors.
Source: Studies by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) -
People spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
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Poor IAQ can trigger potential health problems such as chronic respiratory ailments, asthma, recurring flus, aggravated allergies, coughs, headaches, chronic fatigue and poor concentration.
These microscopic particles can become lodged in mucous membranes or the lining of the lungs, causing allergic reactions, respiratory disorders and a diminished immune system
Energy-efficient houses may have poor air circulation and seal in pollutants
Today's better insulated homes can trap moisture and pollutants, leading to structural damage and IAQ problems.
Ongoing exposure to indoor air contaminants creates greater risk for health problems and can aggravate existing ones
What can be done about it:
SOURCE CONTROL:
Eliminate the sources of pollution, such as smoking and pets, and target specific problem areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and attics
VENTILATION:
Bring fresh air from the outside into the home to dilute
pollutants and replace stale air
FILTRATION:
Clean the air through different devices to avoid circulating the same airborne pollutants
Did you know
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
• Transfers heat and moisture from one airstream to another, and is the ideal system to maintain proper humidity levels
• Excellent for year-round use and ideal for homes with air conditioning and high outdoor humidity
• Filters outdoor pollens and expels indoor pollutants to the outside, exchanging the air in the home
Heat recovery ventilation systems allow R-2000 homes to maintain high indoor air quality without excessive additional energy costs.
As shown in the diagram below, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) consists of two separate air-handling systems – one collects and exhausts stale indoor air; the other draws in outdoor air and distributes it throughout the home.
Life inside today's tight home generates both moisture and pollutants
While necessity may be the mother of invention, it's increasing costs that spawn efficiency. Before the '70s, we happily cranked up the thermostat when the house felt chilly. Once heating costs went through the roof, though, we all put on sweaters and started looking for ways to save. And, with up to 40 percent of our heating dollar going to air infiltration--otherwise known as drafts--sealing the place up began to seem like the best defense against high heating bills.
Over a period of time, older homes began to sport new, tight windows and doors, insulation and vapor-barrier improvements, modern siding, and caulk for every crack through which air might pass. New homes left the drawing board designed to be tight, and builders became familiar with the new materials and skills needed to meet market demand and updated regulations. Homes were finally becoming thermally efficient. What some began to wonder, though, was whether they were habitable.
It turns out that those heat-robbing drafts had a role in the ecosystem of the home--they provided fresh air to breathe. Without realizing it, builders before the energy crisis had been installing an effective, albeit haphazard, ventilation system. If you could afford the heating bills, it worked.
Why Ventilate?
Life inside today's tight home generates both moisture and pollutants. The moisture comes from cooking, washing, showers and breathing. At excessive levels, moisture condenses on windows and can cause structural deterioration. Areas of excessive moisture are also breeding grounds for mold, mildew, fungi, dust mites and bacteria. You know you have a problem if you find moisture collecting on your windows, or if you notice black spots on walls. These unsightly spots indicate mildew growth. Mold spores and dust easily become airborne and circulate freely throughout the house, possibly causing a range of symptoms and allergic reactions.
Heat Recovery
At the core of an HRV is the heat transfer module. Both the exhaust and outdoor air streams pass through the module, and the heat from the exhaust air is used to pre-heat the outdoor air stream. Only the heat is transferred; the two air streams remain physically separate. Typically, an HRV is able to recover 70 to 80 percent of the heat from the exhaust air and transfer it to the incoming air. This dramatically reduces the energy needed to heat outdoor air to a comfortable temperature.
Air Exchange
The HRV system installed in an R-2000 home can change all the air in the house over a three-hour period. Most HRVs are also equipped with automatic humidity sensors that increase the ventilation rate when needed - for instance, when you use the shower. Exhaust air is normally collected from the kitchen and bathroom areas, where most moisture and odours are created.
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