Indoor Air Quality

  • Ultra-violet air purifiers
  • Whole-house dehumidifiers
  • Whole-house humidifiers
  • High efficiency air filtration 
  • Heat and Energy recovery air exchange systems

Local Air Quality in Oshkosh and Fond Du Lac

While our outdoor air quality has been improving as our industrial emissions have decreased, indoor air is a different story.  Virtually everyone understands outdoor air quality and pollution, and why it’s important to control contaminants in the air.  Fewer people grasp the significance of indoor air pollution and why poor indoor air quality has become a major health issue. Industry and government air quality experts alike now focus on educating the nation’s residents on the factors included in indoor air quality and why they’re important.

What's Changed?

So, why are we now experiencing poorer indoor air quality than people saw in the past? The biggest single factor is the success of modern, energy-saving efforts. Over the past several years, home owners and builders have taken dramatic steps to reduce or eliminate air leaks from their homes. Old, drafty windows have been replaced with energy efficient options that virtually eliminate any air infiltration from the outside. Doors have been sealed, and more insulation has been added to homes everywhere.  While energy bills may have gone down, so has the quality of the air building occupants breathe. With little or no fresh air being introduced, the level of contaminants from everyday living continues to rise.  Things most people would never consider add up.  Chemical offgassing of the OVCs from our household furniture and capeting, or everyday cooking odors can be a significant factor.

What Health Issues are Caused or Exacerbated by Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Understanding the causes of poor indoor air quality makes it easier to grasp the problem’s solutions. Mold, dust, pet dander, and a host of chemicals pose threats to indoor air quality. If any of those contaminants are present, residents and visitors to a home may suffer ill effects. People predisposed to respiratory ailments will always be in danger of seeing those issues becoming worse. Other air quality issues can be related to second-hand smoke, chemicals in paints or stains, and residues from lead paints, along with a host of other every day irritants and allergens.  Each type of issue causes specific problems for building occupants and must be dealt with to minimize the potential of related health problems.

Every family’s needs will vary to some degree, and different types of homes respond better to some indoor air quality improvement strategies than others. That’s why we encourage homeowners to explore all their options and design a solution that best fits their needs. Homeowners are encouraged to contact E.C. Merrill, Inc. now for additional information. The company is a family owned business and has worked with area homeowners to create real solutions for their heating, cooling, and indoor air quality needs since 1949.  You can contact us by phone at 920-921-4714, stop in and see us at 809 Wisconsin Ave, North Fond Du Lac, or use the web contact form to schedule a free evaluation of your home’s indoor air quality needs

  

Are the Energy Savings Worth It? 

Reduced indoor air quality causes respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, and a host of similar issues. That leaves property owners in a quandary. What can homeowners do to improve their home’s indoor air quality?  What can be done without sacrificing the gains in energy savings?   

There are several strategies property owners can consider.  While a simple solution may be possible in some situations, other property owners will find they need to consider two or more changes to achieve their indoor air quality goals.  Solutions for modern problems require up-to-date solutions.  That’s especially important when problems like the potential for pandemics are considered.

Solutions to Consider

Ventilatioin and Air Exchange Systems

In addition to pollutants in the air, homeowners are likely to experience other issues directly related to air quality. Most modern homes use clothes dryers, range exhaust hoods, and other appliances that actually remove air from the home. When this air is exhausted, fresh needs to be brought into the home.   Ventilaton controls, such as the Aprilaire model 8126A can help manage a homes indoor air quality.   Air to air exchange systems can filter out many contaminants, and those systems also allow replacement air to be tempered prior to entering the home.

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

The humidity levels in a home impact the air quality. Humidifiers add moisture when the air is dry and residents start experiencing breathing issues. When the air is too humid, a dehumidifier reduces the moisture levels. That action minimizes the odds of mold and mildew forming and creating respiratory problems for occupants. The home’s building materials also suffer when a home is too dry or humid.

Air Cleaners and Filters

If family members have allergies or experience respiratory issues of any kind, it makes sense to consider installing an air cleaner or purifier. Standard filters work continuously to remove particular contaminants from a home’s air supply but do little to remove the the smallest particles.  High efficiency, MERV 13 or better, pleated filters work well to remove second-hand smoke and pet dander from the air but need to have enough surface area to allow your furnace to breath.  A furnace that is short of airflow will be less efficient and have a shorter expected lifespan.  Be sure if you use a high eficiency pleated filter, it is at least 4" thick.

UVC Air Purifiers

All types of UV air purifiers help to minimize the number of airborne pathogens and micro-organisms like mold and viruses. The ultra violet light works to virtually destroy these organisms.  Take the time now to discuss the various UVC air purifiers with our trained experts and determine if one of the available systems would work to meet your family’s indoor air quality needs.