Wave Home Solutions

Summer 2010

Here we are nearing the end of summer and as it has been for quite some time, lots of concerns about the housing market and lots of concerns about staying put or buying new.  Questions out there are what can we do to improve the value of our home, what can we do to push towards LEED approved certification?  One of the best and quite honestly the most cost effective way to move towards LEED approval is to manage the moisture level in the home and at the same time provide the proper number of air exchanges in the home is by installing a ventilation unit in the lower level that "balances the air" in the home.  

Homeowners are surprised when they learn excess moisture can create all sorts of issues within the home ranging from mold activity (stinky basements and/or crawl spaces) to wood rot to increased activity from dust mites to termites and spiders, all of them requiring moisture to survive.  Plus stale, contaminated air collects in the lowest area where it is most often the least ventilated area of the home.

With this summers extreme heat and humidity plus all the excessive rain and flooding, moisture issues are more prone to occur in the basements and crawlspaces and without proper ventilation in these areas, they can become almost unlivable and the dank, musty odors will drift up through natural air flow unless a sensible ventilation unit is installed that takes the stale air and vents it to the outside.

The Wave Ventilation Unit does it all --- expels the stale air from every corner of the lower level, pulls down warmer, drier, refreshing air from the upper levels to balance out the air in the home and does it continually while it monitors the dew point levels and establishes the desired humidity level in the lower level as determined by the homeowner.

It helps towards LEED certification as it helps reduce heating/air conditioning costs as it is more costly to do either with heavy, moist air.  It is like your clothes dryer --- think about how long it takes to dry a towel just out of the washer vs a slightly damp towel -- a considerable difference and is why managing the excess moisture in the home is critical to reducing the homes utility costs.

Allergy Season

Allergy season is upon us and from what I have been reading, it could be a tough year for allergy sufferers as the pollen and junk in the air is causing issues all over the country.  People with allergies (and asthma) look every year for something to mitigate their problems and look toward meds as one way to keep their symptoms under control.  What they often neglect are the basics in maintaining a healthy home environment where they spend up to 3/4ths of their day.

Simple solutions include making sure your furnace filter is high quality and will catch/ grab those particles that circulate inside your ducts and often contribute to exacerbating the symptoms versus helping to manage them.  I won't get into an explanation of the filters available but can tell you a good filter will cost in the $12 -$15 dollar range and should be changed quarterly.  

Next step is assuring proper ventilation which is where a lot of homeowners tend to miss the boat.  Proper ventilation begins in the lower level of the home --- basement and crawlspace.  This is the area where "stale", contaminated air accumulates and is traditionally the least ventilated area of the home. Stale air, contaminated air is heavier and will settle to the lowest level of the home much like water seeking the lowest point to accumulate.

In addition to the "bad" air collecting in the lower level, there are a host of other issues in the basement and crawlspace that tend to "pop up" in the Spring and summer.  Excess moisture and humidity in these areas are breeding grounds for mold spores and other biologicals such as dust mites and spiders and termites.  

Often these issues are dealt with by firing up the old dehumidifier but if you've spent time on this Blog, you'll know they're expensive to operate, inefficient, require routine maintenance, work in a small geography, and DO NOT circulate air.  

Proper ventilation can be achieved with the system available on the Wave site.  It is unique in that it provides the recommended air exchanges in the home and balances the air in both the upper and lower levels of the home.  It is easily installed, requires only a standard 110 outlet and can be regulated to achieve the desired humidity level in the lower level.  The system works 24/7 continually circulating the air precluding the "bad" air from accumulating.  Plus it requires NO maintenance at all.  

When it comes to your health and the health of your family, especially if you have allergies or asthma, managing the air quality in your home is critical and it starts with proper ventilation.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is around the corner and with it the return of the stinky basement.  During the fall when the smell was there, it began to fade as the furnace kicked on allowing the heated air to dry up some of the moisture but now with the furnace cycling fewer times, that old smell is rearing it's ugly head once more. 

What have you done to manage that smell?  Installed a dehumidifier?  A dehumidifier is a small air conditioning unit in terms of cost to maintain with electricity alone costing anywhere from $30 to $60 a month.  Plus they need to be emptied, they need to be cleaned, the filters need to be changed, and they are only managing air in the immediate room. 

To be effective in managing the air in the basement or crawlspace, there needs to be proper air exchanges that a dehumidifier simply does not provide.  Being effective means circulating the warmer, dryer air from the upper level into the basement or crawlspace while exhausting the contaminated, stale air from the basement.

If you do nothing the humidity laden air will accumulate and can be absorbed into the floorboards and the structure of the home and can cause all sorts of damage including becoming a breeding ground for insects including termites that need water to survive.   

Simple solutions are the best and installing a maintenance free ventilation unit in the basement that exhausts the stale, contaminated air from the lowest level near the floor creating a natural vacuum to draw down warmer, dryer air from upstairs providing healthy air exchanges keeping the basement free of those nasty smells.

Indoor Air Quality

A recent study by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) concluded that indoor concentrations of formaldehyde in recently built homes often exceeds exposure guidelines for indoor air contaminants due to the many indoor air sources for formaldehyde.  There are other indoor air contaminants that also exceed exposure guidelines and researchers are recommending mechanical air ventilation systems be included in new home construction for purposes of controlling indoor air contaminants and improving air quality.

It has been proven that new homes are being built relatively airtight which is intended to reduce heating and cooling loss but have the unintended consequence of trapping airborne contaminants and VOC's (Volatile Organic Chemicals, like formaldehyde) inside the home. 

It has been a concern of the both the EPA and CDC as "tight" homes do not have enough air exchanges through "natural" ventilation and as a result the contaminants become trapped inside the home leading to the exacerbation of respiratory ailments and other illnesses.  Their recommendation is the same as ARB, installing a mechanical ventilation unit to provide a continuous supply of outdoor air which improves the air exchange rate and reduces indoor air contaminant levels. 

In homes with basements and/or crawl spaces, these mechanical ventilation units should be installed in the lowest area of the home as the contaminated air flows to the lowest level in the home and these units can then remove and vent this "bad" air to the outside.   In homes built on slabs, similar mechanical units can be used and there are other more sophisticate whole home systems that can be considered. 

Surgeon General Healthy Home 2009

In 2009 the Surgeon General issued a "call to action to promote healthy homes".  It states that .. "Many factors influence health and safety in homes, including structural and safety aspects of the home (i.e., how the home is designed, constructed, and maintained; its physical characteristics; and the presence or absence of safety devices); quality of indoor air; water quality; chemicals; resident behavior; and the house’s immediate surroundings. The link between these housing features and illness and injury is clear and compelling.  Poor indoor air quality contributes to cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and other illnesses."

The report goes on to say that "Poor indoor air quality can contribute to symptoms ranging from eye, nose, and throat irritation to chronic conditions. Pollution sources such as wood smoke, natural gas combustion, or cigarette smoking that release gases or particles into the air can contribute to indoor air quality problems in homes. For example, secondhand smoke can cause respiratory and heart disease, whereas radon causes cancer. Inadequate ventilation also contributes to poor indoor air quality. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants."(National Institute of Building Sciences 2005).

The report state that the "two effective ways to reduce indoor air pollution are to eliminate or reduce emissions from indoor sources and to improve ventilation."  It goes on to clarify ways to increase and improve ventilation by mechanical means and/or by opening the doors and windows.  During the winter when the house is shut, opening windows is not a realistic option so mechanical ventilation is required. 

Installing a mechanical ventilation unit in the lower level of the home that runs 24/7 and creates healthy air exchanges in the home will reduce the issues that are associated with poor indoor air quality.  The Wave Ventilation unit is a cost effective solution, takes the air from the lowest area of the home where the "bad" air accumulates and expels it to the outside. 

UV Lamps Can Reduce Sickness

In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Canadian scientists found that by using ultraviolet lamps to kill germs in ventilation systems, worker sickness was reduced by about 20 percent, including a 40 percent drop in breathing problems.

About 70 percent of the work force in North America and Western Europe work indoors, and have frequently unexplained health problems such as irritation of the eyes, throat and nose, as well as respiratory illnesses.  Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI, is sometimes used in hospital ventilation systems to disinfect the air. 

The use of the UV lamps resulted in a 20 percent overall reduction in all symptoms for some workers; and a 40 percent reduction in respiratory symptoms and a 30 percent reduction in mucous problems.  The benefits were greatest for workers with allergies and for people who had never smoked.

With this study as a reference, it's surprising more homeowners are not seriously looking at installing a UV system in their ventilation system, especially in homes where one or more of the family members struggle with allergies and/or respiratory disorders. 

Winter 2009 -- Indoor Air

The quality of the air we breathe indoors becomes even more important in the colder months, when we naturally spend more time inside. But the list of things that pollute that air is a long one, featuring such varied culprits as combustion sources (oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco), building materials (deteriorated insulation, damp carpet), household cleaners, even our furniture and carpets.

 

Indoor air quality has been a problem since homeowners and builders began to "tighten" the homes with increased insulaton to reduce the overall energy costs without balancing it with adequete ventilation to exchange polluted indoor air with fresh outdoor air.  Plus excess moisture and high temperatures can lead to mold problems.  During the winter (and summer if the house is closed up), carbon monoxide from gas stoves, dryers and furnaces, if not properly vented to the outside, can cause serious health issues.  Studies done by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have shown that indoor air can be 5 - 10 times more polluted than outside air.

 

Key to managing indoor air is providing healthy air exchanges on a daily basis and expelling the "bad" air that tends to accumulate in the lower levels of the home.  One key element in any home is controlling humidity levels which also tend to build in the lower level of the home and can lead to organic growth such as mold. 

 

By installing a mechanical ventilation unit in the lower level of the home that runs 24/7 expelling the contaminants from the lowest level to the outside and bringing down healthier, drier replenishment air from the upper levels, is being proactive and contributes to an overall healthier home environment.

 

"NEW" UV Light & Flu Season

The flu season is here and at this time of year you're spending more time indoors and the house is closed up. This increases the exposure and inhalation of harmful airborne viruses as well as bacteria, mold and chemicals that will make you and your family sick.

Eliminating the triggers that makes us sick is the first line of defense for better health. You can sterilize the air with our NEW UV Air Purifier, which uses a technology for natural purification without ozone or filters that clog. The technology has been tested by the EPA and Homeland Security and has been found effective in killing 99% of airborne viruses and bacteria.

The NEW UV system is designed with patented ultra violet technology to further increase the time and the volume of air is within the compartment and exposed to the UV lamp. Performance results are measured in terms of how many air exchanges or passes will be required to purify the air. Our unit increases the ability to destroy more pollutants and to sterilize the air with each pass.

It's available as a add on installation to a HVAC system and also comes in a portable version that can handle room sizes up to 900 square feet.  Please view more details on our site at: http://www.wavehomesolutions.com/content/ventilation/uv-air-purifier.cfm   

 

 

Study Shows Americans Want Energy Savings and Improved Air Quality

Americans are increasingly demanding lower energy costs, healthier living, and improved air quality according to findings from a survey conducted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and McGraw-Hill Construction. 

"We're crossing the tipping point for green home building," Harvey Bernstein, a McGraw-Hill Construction VP, said in a statement.  "Concerns about energy costs, health, and even resale value are adding up for builders, buyers, and renters."  "Being able to afford your utility bill is as important as being able to pay your mortgage," USGBC senior VP Michele Moore said.

The references above were taken from an article that was published in Eco-Home on line pointing out a shift in homeowner priorities towards "green construction" and finding ways to make their homes "healthy" and more energy efficient.  This is not a surprising trend as there have been numerous articles about the increased health risk from airborne contaminants being "trapped" inside the home.  

Both the CDC and EPA have been warning about increased levels of contaminants in new home construction that are built almost air tight and unless they are built with adequate ventilation, they can trap contaminants inside the home.  There are minimum standards for air exchanges within new home construction that if ignored, can lead to serious health concerns.

Regardless of the age of home, proper ventilation in the home is important, as it ensures that fresh air is being introduced and provides a means for expelling the stale air to the outside.  And as warm air along with airborne contaminants are heavy, they will fall to the lowest point in the home.  This means the basement and/or crawl space is often the collection point for this "bad" air.  And in most homes, the least ventilated area of the home is the basement and/or crawl space.  And as "bad" air is not something we can see, we tend to ignore the accumulation of toxins which do have a way of creeping back up and finding ways into the duct system of the home.

By installing a ventilation system in the lower level that continually runs and recirculates the air and pulls air from the upper levels, it will assure that the lower level remains clear of contaminants, gases, and toxins and is being refreshed on a regular basis thus making the lower level a healthier environment.

Winter Indoor Air Quality

In a December, 2008 Philadelphia Inquirer article titled "Keeping air inside home clean during the winter", it says the the air (as has been pointed out in several other entries to the Blog) that "indoor air is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air and asthma has been on the rise for the last 15 - 20 years." The article implies that a culprit for the rise in poor inside air is a failure to control and manage humidity levels within the home.  The suggested ideal humidity levels inside range from 40 - 60% in the winter although some homes fall either below or higher than the desired range.

When the home exceeds the acceptable range, even in the driest air, mold and microbes can thrive.  Excess humidity can exist in the coldest of environments and in winter is usually evidenced in windows frosting over from the inside.  The best options entail looking at ventilation recovery units coupled with a having a properly installed system to vent the excess humidity to the outside even during the coldest of months. 

Homeowners wrongly assume that once the furnace kicks on that the mold or mildew problems that they may be experiencing will take the winter off.  Actually, this is a time when the conditions can lead to serious respiratory problems as the families spend over 90% of their time inside and without the proper management of the indoor air, it can lead to exacerbation of respiratory disorders that last longer than they should because of breathing the trapped "bad" air. 

Being conscious of what is happening with the air inside the home is becoming an issue more and more homeowners are investigating as with new construction being as tight as it is to conserve on energy costs, it can also trap airborne contaminants and proper ventilation is the only sensible solution.  It is recommended the homeowner check on the ideal number of air exchanges their home should maintain for proper ventilation and reduction of airborne contaminants.