Page 41 - Harnett Life Fall 2021

Improve fresh air ventilation
When it comes to upgrades that improve air quality,
better fresh air ventilation is near the top of the
list for many homeowners. Improved ventilation
allows you to clear out stale, polluted indoor air and
circulate fresh, outdoor air in your home.
Polluted air tends to stagnate at the ceiling, so one
effective and energy-efficient way to create natural
ventilation is with skylights that open. Sometimes
called venting or operable skylights, when you open
skylights in combination with vertical windows, you
create natural airflow that can help release indoor air
pollutants and bring in fresh, clean air to keep your
home healthy and pleasant. This concept is known
as the chimney effect. Warm air naturally rises
and escapes from open skylights while fresh air is
drawn inside through the windows. This practice can
reduce your reliance on air conditioning, improving
your home’s overall efficiency and keeping a lid on
cooling costs.
Today’s skylights can also be automated to open and
close at regular intervals or extend and retract shades
to block light as needed. Many models, including those
from Velux, can even connect to a smartphone app to
combine convenience with a soothing mood booster
that supports health and wellness.

Keep up with cleaning
Textiles like carpeting, rugs and window treatments
can harbor a great deal of dust and dander that reduces
air quality. It’s important to regularly clean and air out
these decorative fabrics and surfaces, especially thick
carpet that is likely to host dust mites and bacteria.
Remember air quality while you’re cleaning, too, and
opt for cleaning products with fewer chemicals. When
possible, use microfiber cloths and natural materials
like white vinegar and soap flakes.
Avoid adding to the problem
Burning a candle may make a room smell fresh and
clean, but it’s doing little to help improve your air
quality. In fact, you’re just masking unappealing odors
while releasing harmful particles into the air. Similarly,
smoking indoors traps those chemicals inside your
home, which can wreak havoc on indoor air quality.

Watch for unexpected culprits
Many of the things that contribute to poor indoor
air quality are obvious, but there are many others
that may surprise you. For example, cooking food
using gas appliances can emit hazardous chemicals
and compounds, like nitrogen dioxide and carbon
monoxide, that contribute to poor indoor climates
when not properly ventilated. Homes with gas stoves
contain 50-400% higher concentrations of nitrogen
dioxide than those with electric stoves, according to
a report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the
EPA found prolonged exposure to the gas can lead to
asthma and other respiratory issues.
Similarly, when plastics are warmed up, they can give
off potentially toxic fumes. Avoid leaving toys or other
plastic items in direct sunlight. If you have heated floors
or other heated surfaces, keep plastic away to prevent
those heat-provoked emissions.

With proper upgrades, adjustments and care, you
can enjoy a home filled with fresh, healthy air and
comfortable surroundings year-round. Learn more
at whyskylights.com.