Make your home ‘greener’ with the right renovations

Many home renovation projects can lead to
more energy efficient and healthier homes.

Home renovations can have a number of positive effects:

1. They can address environmental issues such as climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
2. They can lower a home’s operating costs and add value to a home
3. They can lead to healthier homes and better indoor air quality

Experts suggest working with professional renovators, if homeowners don’t have the time, know-how or interest to do the work themselves.

A green renovation project is characterized by three main factors: Increasing energy and water efficiency, ensuring clean indoor air and using resource-smart materials and products.

The most effective renovation jobs that can significantly increase energy and water efficiency include

• Replacing or upgrading a home’s heating system with high-efficiency equipment
• Installing new windows
• Upgrading light fixtures and bulbs to compact fluorescent, halogen and LED lights
• Getting more energy efficient water-heating equipment when the time comes
• Replacing old appliances with energy efficient models

A home energy assessment from an independent certified evaluator may help homeowners decide which projects need to be tackled first.

In some areas, homeowners can also apply for certain grants or financial incentives for energy-wise upgrades.

Keep indoor air quality in mind

When making homes more energy efficient and airtight, it is important to consider the indoor air quality, which can be affected by mold, chemicals and other pollutants, experts warn.

Homes are a system, and changing one part of it can have an impact on other parts.

After certain renovations, homes may need additional ventilation.

Using non-toxic and low-VOC products can also help prevent pollutants from building up inside.

Source: Regina Leader-Post

Air purifiers to improve indoor air quality

AllerAir's 5000 series and
6000 series contain powerful
room air purifiers.

Even with the best intentions, indoor air pollution is a common concern in homes and buildings and can affect people’s health and well-being.

A room air purifier  with activated carbon and HEPA can help provide cleaner and healthier air on a 24/7 basis.

AllerAir offers powerful general purpose air purifiers for the home and office as well as the most efficient specialized units for IAQ concerns such as mold, allergies and asthma, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), tobacco smoke and more.

Have you renovated your home recently and noticed a difference in your air quality? We’d love to hear your story.

Show your support for greener and healthier homes by following this blog.

Contact AllerAir for more information about its products and IAQ solutions.
 

5 easy steps to a healthier home renovation

Non-toxic materials and products can help improve
indoor air quality in the home, experts say.

Every home is in need of an update or renovation at some time – and making the right choices can be one of the most important factors for providing a healthier environment for the entire family.

Building materials and finishes are major contributors to indoor air pollution for years after they were put in or applied.

And with so many people spending more than 90 percent of their time indoors, it is important to limit risks as much as possible.

Luckily, there are healthier alternatives out there.

Here are some tips compiled by green experts:

1) Take care when selecting materials
Try to use natural materials whenever possible and educate yourself about possible chemical hazards and precautions when installing them. Use low or zero-VOC materials such as paints, adhesives, glues and floor sealants. Avoid pressed-wood products, if possible, since they emit formaldehyde into the ambient air. Look for materials that have been certified by Greenguard or Green Seal.

2) Pay attention to the ventilation system
Strict energy codes and more airtight homes often fail to address indoor air concerns and can lead to higher indoor air pollution. A HVAC contractor can include a fresh-air ventilation system to improve IAQ in the home. During home renovations, HVAC ductwork can become contaminated with dust and other particles, so sealing them off and cleaning them after the work is done may be a good idea.

3) Control moisture
A good ventilation system will help, but it is important to also monitor the home’s humidity levels to control moisture. High humidity levels can lead to building structure problems and mold growth. Any water infiltration problems need to be fixed immediately and moisture buildup can also be prevented by venting clothes dryers, kitchen range hoods and bathroom fans to the outdoors.

4) Test the air
One of the most important tests in any home is the radon test. A home renovation in the basement can easily accommodate a soil vent system to prevent gases from entering the home. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke.

5) Replace carpets
New carpets can emit VOCs, and older carpets often trap dirt, dust mites, molds and other contaminants. The best alternative may be natural hardwood flooring finished with a non-toxic low-VOC sealant. Smaller carpets that are made of natural fiber and washable are also good options.

Whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor, make sure you do your research into the materials, possible hazards and health effects first and ask the right questions.

Source: Healthy Child, Healthy World

Air purifiers for cleaner, healthier air

Before, during and after home renovations, a portable air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA filters can help remove toxic chemicals, fumes and particles from the ambient air.

AllerAir has developed versatile and powerful air purifiers for the home and office that feature the most relevant filter media to address the widest range of indoor air contaminants.

For renovations and heavier concentrations of chemicals and gases, AllerAir recommends a "D" or "DX" air purifier with an extra deep bed of activated carbon. A specific type or blend of carbon may further enhance effectiveness.

While activated carbon filters can typically last between two and five years, those filters used for home renovations involving a lot of fumes and chemicals may have to be replaced earlier.

For more information and options, contact an AllerAir IAQ expert today.

Soy-based eco-flooring the newest home décor trend

Non-toxic and hypoallergenic flooring choice can help improve indoor air quality

The right flooring and finishing
can mean cleaner, healthier air.

As more and more people become aware of the risks that environmental pollution and household toxins can mean to family members (especially children and seniors), the greater the popularity of “healthy home” choices.

The demand for low VOC paints, stains and materials is growing, as is the market for natural wood cabinets, furniture and flooring – since compressed wood furniture can release VOCs such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

One of the latest innovations in eco-flooring choices is a factory-finished floor using 100 percent pure soybean oil that will emit zero VOCs and is hypoallergenic. This particular type of flooring is offered by Mercier Wood Flooring and comes with a 35-year warranty, but many other companies are offering healthier flooring choices.

The soy-based flooring was deemed eco-friendly and healthy, and it picked up the “Children and Schools Certification” by the standards organization Greenguard.

The new product can be applied to all species, colors and finishes and make wood flooring even healthier.
A floor like that may be ideal for kids’ rooms, living rooms or playrooms, daycare settings and schools.

Other healthy flooring choices include natural cork, bamboo flooring and natural grass mats.

Filter out harmful VOCs and chemicals with air purifiers

The volatile organic compounds and chemicals in households, offices and children’s environments can come from a variety of sources, including other building materials, cleaning products, air freshening products, treated textiles and more.

Activated carbon can remove airborne
chemicals and VOCs.

With diligent source control and good ventilation, air quality can be improved, but a high-quality air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA will be even more efficient at removing those indoor air pollutants.

AllerAir’s general purpose air purifiers come in a variety of colors and sizes and can help clean the air around the clock with low energy consumption.

A complete air filtration system with deep-bed activated carbon, HEPA and optional UV is key to removing airborne chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Home renovations a good time for greener choices

Greener remodeling choices can help the
environment and a home's indoor air quality.

As soon as the days are getting longer and people get into spring and summer mode, homeowners are looking for ways to update and fix their homes.

Sustainable remodeling is a great way to save money and resources because upgrading is much more environmentally friendly than building new.

The right sustainable remodeling choices can improve a home’s energy efficiency, resource conservation and the indoor air quality.

An energy audit can help homeowners identify where the house is leaking too much air.

Adding insulation, sealing drafts, installing new windows and upgrading old appliances may all help reducing a home’s energy bills.

Improve indoor air quality when remodeling

Indoor air pollution has been linked to a wide range of health effects, including chronic respiratory problems as well as short-term and long-term effects.

A lot of poor indoor air quality comes from chemicals and other toxic compounds:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Combustion fumes
• Formaldehyde
• Asbestos
• Lead
• Ozone
• Particulate matter
• Pesticides
• Radon
• Pollen and other allergens

Synthetic carpeting, harsh chemical cleaning products and building and renovation materials that are high in VOCs and other synthetic chemicals are often to blame.

Better flooring choices are natural-fiber carpets, hardwoods, natural linoleum, cork, ceramic tile, marble and stone.

Building and remodeling materials like paint, sealer, stain, caulk, grout, adhesive and paint thinners often come in low-VOC versions, which will help reduce indoor air pollution.

Other green options during remodeling include water conservation measures like low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency water heaters, toilets and dishwashers as well as natural and non-toxic materials from sustainable or recycled sources.

Source: Coloradoan

Improve your indoor air with powerful air purifiers

Even with the best intentions and a variety of choices, many homeowners will complain of chemical pollutants and too much dust or other toxins.

AllerAir's air purifiers for the home and office:
5000 Series, 6000 Series, AirMedic Series,
AirMedic+ Series and AirTube Series

Lingering odors and off-gassing materials can delay the satisfaction of using a remodeled space without concerns.

Running a powerful air purifier with the right air filters on the lowest setting on a continuous basis will help remove harmful odors and toxins and keep the air clean and healthier.

AllerAir offers air purifiers with activated carbon and HEPA filters that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants, including chemicals, gases, odors, VOCs, particles, dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses and molds.

The units are energy efficient and last a long time between filter changes.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.
 

Fan of DIY? Study links home renos and mesothelioma in women

DIY projects may be risky for women
(and men) if asbestos is involved.

Whether it’s moving into a new place or giving your home a much-needed update, a growing number of homeowners are taking on their own home renovations – but at what cost?

In an Australian study, researchers have found that the trend may be accompanied by a growing number of deadly asbestos-related cancers in women.

Traditionally, and still today, more men than women are being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity), an article in the Sydney Morning Herald says, but the rise in cases has been sharper for women, who may be exposed to asbestos fibers when the asbestos-containing materials in their home are being disturbed during renovations.

The facts speak for themselves: The number of home renovation cases soared from five per cent of all MM cases in women during the 1990s to more than 35 per cent between 2005 and 2008.

For the study, researchers from the University of Western Australia reviewed all cases of MM diagnosed in the state between 1960 and 2008.

Asbestos still widespread in homes

Lead researcher Nola Olsen said the number of home renovation cases was likely to continue rising given the amount of older properties still containing asbestos products coupled with the growing popularity of DIY renovations.

In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.

"Asbestos-containing products such as asbestos cement sheets are still found in many homes, particularly older homes and fences," Olsen was quoted in the article.

"Our study shows that exposures in the home, at a time when people were less aware of the health issues and these asbestos products were still legally available, have unfortunately had dire consequences for some."

While the chances of developing mesothelioma are relatively low, the problem is still there - and not only in Australia. Many homes in the rest of the world still feature asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos fibers can be hazardous when they become airborne and are inhaled, and exposure has also been linked to lung cancer and asbestosis.

Before taking on DIY projects, consider these points:

• Find out if the house was built with asbestos-containing materials
• If so, consider hiring a professional remediation company. If the materials are in good condition, experts suggest leaving them alone so as not to disturb any fibers
• Make sure to wear protective gear
• Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. These steps will disturb tiny asbestos fibers and may release them into the air. Remove dust by wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors
• Use an indoor air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon (see AllerAir’s 6000 Series)
• Indoor air monitoring may be necessary to reduce risks
• Always seek information and weigh risks before beginning a project

Contact AllerAir for more information and IAQ solutions.

Allerair Industries is a manufacturer of high-quality air purifiers for homes and offices. The company focuses on developing air filtration systems that deal with all kinds of air pollutants, ranging from dust particles to airborne chemicals and pathogens.

The AllerAir product line includes solutions for allergies and asthma, mold, MCS, tobacco smoke and odor control, among many others.
  

Renovations Contribute to Poorer Air Quality in Winter

Ever since I started working at AllerAir, renovations at our place just haven’t been the same. And as the team here begins to research topics and content for our December newsletter, we discover that indeed, winter is prime time for renovations… while meanwhile, at home, we are knee-deep in paint, jip rock and… is that mold?

We are renovating a bedroom for our 4-year-old son, and there is a lot of work to be done. As my husband rips out a great chunk of waterlogged jip rock, I hover above him, inspecting the wood behind it, asking… Is that mold? What’s that? Is that normal?

Once assured that we are mold-free, we jip rock, plaster and sand, and there are dust particles everywhere. The next day the paint comes out, and while we have invested in some low VOC paint for the walls, we use remnants of some regular white paint to do the trim and the ceiling.

And it stinks. Does it stink more than the million other times we’ve painted rooms, or is just me? Karen Hand, one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts here at AllerAir, recommends we do not turn on our air purifier during the actual renovations because the amount of toxins being released are overwhelming, even for the most sophisticated technology and activated carbon. Instead, she says, open the windows, and wait between 2-5 days before turning on your air purifier. So we open our windows and the cold Montreal December air blows in, and away we paint with our mittens, hats and coats.

I am now frightfully aware of what these renovations do to my indoor air quality in my home. Research shows that air quality is worse in the winter, and that one definite contributor is renovations. People also stay indoors more often in the winter with windows sealed tight, and fresh air kept to a minimum. And with nowhere to go, air pollutants quickly gain presence, slowly but surely diminishing your air quality.

We recommend air purifiers in every home, all season long, but winter is an especially good time to invest in cleaner air, especially if you know you’re going to be doing renovations, refurnishing or working with toxic chemicals.

General Purpose Home and Office AllerAir Air Purifiers:

5000 Exec: General Purpose
6000 DX Vocarb: Odors & Chemicals
5000 DS: Ideal for homes effected by cigarette smoke, and wood burning & fireplace smoke

In addition to your air purifier, here are 5 other tips that will help you keep your indoor air quality as high as possible, especially during the winter:

1. Air Out your Home when Weather Allows
Depending where you are, it can get pretty cold in wintertime. Air out your homes on warmer days, especially in mid-afternoon when the sun is hot! This allows fresh air in, and gives the opportunity for accumulated chemicals and particles to escape.

2. Control DampnessControl dampness to minimize the growth of mould and fungi. House dust mites, the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens, thrive in damp, warm environments.

3. Plants Love Chemicals!
Though chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide are toxic to human health, plants thrive on them, while also removing them from the air. Ideal plants include the peace lily, bamboo palm, English ivy, mums, and gerbera daisies, all of which are easy to find and easy to care for, so even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still have a green home or office.

4. Choose Products with Low Pollutant Emissions
Whether you’re buying household cleaners, paints for renovations, or anything else, make sure to choose products with little or no particle emissions. Choose all-natural cleaners instead of ones with chemicals, rugs instead of carpets and plant or mineral based paints that are low in VOC’s.

5. Choose Friendly Furniture!
Avoid furniture that is marketed as stain-resistant, and do not apply stain-resistant treatments onto fabrics. Avoid products that contain PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather, PVC-coated fabrics, and vinyl furniture covers. Choose products that do not contain toxic flame retardants (PBDEs), which are often used in furniture upholstery and foam.

For more information on air purifiers, visit www.allerair.com or call 888.852.8247 to speak to one of AllerAir's Indoor Air Quality Experts.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful winter!