Home's report card rates indoor air quality
9/23/2005
The Roseville Press-Tribune - September 23 & 24, 2005.
Homeowners in Placer County and surrounding areas can breathe easier this fall season with a home health report card.
Dial One Service Experts in Rocklin is currently offering the free in-home air-quality analysis to educate consumers about the hazards of indoor air pollution. Dial One is a local affiliate of Service One Experts, a national company dedicated to servicing all makes and models of home air conditioner and heating equipment.
According to Bill Pattison, general manager of Dial One, the report card is available as a complimentary addition to scheduled home service and maintenance visits and as an as-available basis even when homeowners do not have service and maintenance needs.
“We started the home health report card about eight weeks ago and have been providing it as a routine for our service calls,” Pattison said. “We recommend homeowners schedule maintenance twice a year, once for the air conditioner and another visit for the heating units.”
According to Service Experts, many people are unaware that exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors due to the lack of circulation and filtration of air. There are three main sources of indoor pollutants.
One example is airborne particles such as dust, pollen, dirt, pet dander, insulation and carpet fibers. Many of these pollutants aren’t even visible to the naked eye.
The indoor air analysis evaluates a home’s air against humidity levels, examines the condition of the ductwork and monitors carbon monoxide levels.
Biological contaminants such as mold spores, dust mites, viruses, fungi, bacteria, yeasts and algae are other forms of indoor pollutants that thrive in warm, humid environments and can be found in bedding, upholstered furniture, bathrooms and basements.
Gases and odors including chemical vapors from gas ovens, space heaters, water heaters, furnaces, carpets, fireplaces, garages and tobacco smoke also contribute to an unhealthy environment.
Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and respiratory irritations and infections can also be related to indoor air pollutants. The purpose of the home health report card is to educate the public about indoor air pollution and to figure out remedies to combat it.
“When our technicians make the calls, they review what needs to be done and let the customer know the prices for any repairs,” Pattison said.
Studies have shown that the cost of maintenance is far less than major repairs can be down the road.
“People who heed the recommended maintenance have found a higher efficiency of their units and have fewer breakdowns and a longer life for their system,” Pattison said.
Jack Freschi, general manager of Freschi Air Systems, another Service Expert affiliate in the Bay Area, believes some types of home construction contribute to indoor air pollutants.
“Today’s modern homes are well-maintained and sealed to conserve energy which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape; further lowering the quality of fresh air inside the home and potentially affecting the health of the residents,” Freschi said.
Pattison added, “Many new homes are too tight. There’s lots of insulation and not enough ventilation.”
Pattison also attributes indoor air pollutants to faulty installation or design of the duct system.
“The duct system is what moves air from one room to another,” he said. “Faulty ducts can even take pollutants from the outside in.”
Originally appeared in The Roseville Press-Tribune on September 23 & 24, 2005 in the Gold Country Homes Section
By Susan Belknap
Cold Country Homes Correspondent
Susan Belknap can be reached at sbelknap@surewest.net.