Indoor Air Pollution – Do you know what is in the air you breathe at home?

A breath of fresh air can be hard to come by in Winter. Did you know the air inside your home is often more polluted than the air outside your home?

When cold weather comes, we seal up our homes, turning on heating systems & humidifiers all to keep warm – all of which worsens indoor air quality. With no outdoor air coming into the home to dilute emissions from household appliances, furnishings and cleaners, you are breathing air that can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies.

 

What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?

Air is considered polluted when it contains harmful substances. There are many causes of indoor air pollution, including:

• Chemicals released into the air by new furniture, paint and carpeting
• Household cleaners and air fresheners;
• Pesticides;
• Emissions from gas-powered appliances such as stovetops, ovens, and washers and dryers;
• Mould and mildew particles;
• Dust particles; and
• Smoke from tobacco and wood-burning fires and candles.

 

How can you reduce or eliminate pollution sources, and improve indoor air quality?

 

Increase Air Flow. 

Most homes could benefit from more ventilation during the winter months. Opening up windows and doors occasionally allow fresh outdoor air in which can dilute the indoor air and decrease indoor air pollution.

What should you do if you can't (or don't want to) open the window? In some circumstances (especially in Winter) opening a window for increase airflow is not a viable option. Cue; Air Circulators.

Air circulators are air movers that circulate the air evenly throughout an enclosed space. They function using a distinctive combination of aerodynamic elements, which include air accelerators, deep-pitch propellers and blade ducts, all packed up in a durable grill that stops curious fingers from gaining access to the blades. This eliminates stagnant air and results in the air being given the power to move around the room in complete and continuous motion.

The key difference between an air circulator and a regular fan is that an air circulator is constantly moving all the air in the room. In contrast, a regular fan is only moving air from behind it, to in front of it, causing a 'wind chill effect' to whoever is standing in front of it and not increasing the airflow in a room.

The air circulators of today are designed to make sure they meet a specific standard, as they must comply with different health and safety laws. Vornado Air Circulators are no exception and different sized circulators are available here to meet your needs.

 

Keep Indoor Air Clean with Air Purifiers

Some sing the praises of salt lamps and certain houseplants for removing toxins from the air. However, there isn’t adequate research to support those claims. And if you overwater plants, the damp soil can become a breeding ground for microorganisms that can pollute the air. So what can you do?

Air Purifiers are a great option – they are portable air-cleaning devices, designed to reduce common pollutants in your home. 

Rather than adding particles to the air, like humidifiers & essential oil diffusers do, Air purifiers remove airborne allergens and purify your air.

The Vornado AC350 Whole Room Air Purifier uses true HEPA filtration, the most effective filtration available, to remove up to 99.97% of airborne allergens down to 0.3 microns in size. The Vornado Whole Room Purifier actively circulates and filters all the air throughout a room. 

Other air cleaners that do not have powerful circulation are only cleaning the immediate area around the unit. The AC350 uses a radial blower to intake and clean all the air in the room- up to 20 sq. m. Precision engineering allows the blower in the Air Purifier to operate quietly, despite its powerful airflow. 

The AC350 uses a combination of HEPA and carbon filtration to trap Dust, Pollen, Pet Dander, Smoke, Bacteria, Mould Spores, Dust Mites and more. The carbon prefilter both adsorbs odours and traps larger particles. 

The Vornado AC350 Whole Room Air Purifier is available here on the Vornado Australia website.

It is important to note that an air purifier should not be used in the replacement of allergy medications or as the sole solution to eliminating aggravating particles in your home. It is still important to prevent the aggravating particles from getting into your home in the first place.

By taking preventive measures by eliminating the sources of common pollutants and doing your best to keep the air in your home clean, you can feel good about the extra snuggle time you spend this Winter indoors. 

 

Utilise Electric Heaters and minimise the use of Gas Heaters and Indoor Fireplaces.

Heating your home is essential in Winter to provide warmth and comfort. Emissions from gas heaters and smoke from indoor fireplaces add to the level of indoor air pollution in the home.

Electric heating is a safe alternative and guarantees;

• No carbon dioxide
• Zero local emissions
• Preservation of natural resources by reducing consumption of wood and fossil fuels.

Also, they contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment with:

• No particulates or emissions
• No carbon monoxide as there is no combustion
• No additional moisture to the indoor environment
• No opportunity for gas leaks caused by mechanical failure, improper installation, or natural disaster.

The Vornado VMH Series Heaters are a great addition to any home in Winter. Unlike most convection heaters or infrared space heaters, the Vornado Whole Metal Heater uses a special vortex action that delivers a continuous stream of heat over a greater area. So, rather than generating localised heat that rises quickly and then cools as it descends, the Vornado VMH Series Heater generates and circulates a current of twisting hot air through the entire room. The VMH Series creates constant cosy airflow and all without adding pollutants to the indoor air. 

The Vornado VMH Series heaters are available here; while stocks last.