Tuesday, June, 5, 2018
EASTERN OREGON MARKETPLACE
FAMILY FEATURES
ore efficient, tightly built homes than
those constructed in previous generations
are generally well-regarded, for the most
part with good reason. However, when
you consider people spend 90 percent of their time
indoors on average, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), such airtight environments
raise some concerns.
All that efficiency cuts down on airflow, effectively
trapping allergens and toxins inside. According to
estimates from the EPA, the air inside the average
home may be as much as five times more polluted
than the air outdoors, even in a bustling city.
“We know instinctively that spending so many
hours in stuffy places isn’t good for us,” said Peter
Foldbjerg, head of daylight energy and indoor
climate at Velux. “According to research, living in
damp and moldy homes increases our risk of asthma
by 40 percent and leaves us vulnerable to developing
other ailments.”
Limited fresh air and light during the day can
negatively impact mood, sleep and performance.
Air pollution can also pose a health risk through
irritation to the eyes, nose and throat; headaches,
dizziness and fatigue; and respiratory conditions,
heart disease and cancer. To help alleviate some of
these concerns, consider these tips.
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East Oregonian
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Bring the outside in.
Even a small step like adding some potted plants,
which are known to purify air, can improve your
indoor environment. In addition, think of how
you could create a better view to the outside
through smart use of windows and doors that
bring in fresh air and daylight.
Rely on natural air flow.
Open your windows 3-4 times a day, at least
10 minutes at a time, to allow fresh air in. To
complement natural light and fresh air from
vertical windows, consider adding skylights
to rooms you use most often. Skylights that
can be opened, such as those offered by Velux,
contribute to greater indoor comfort and
ventilation by removing excess heat, moisture,
odors and other indoor pollutants. They can also
help reduce the need for air-conditioning due to
the chimney effect, which occurs when skylights and
vertical windows are both opened, allowing warm,
stale air to rise and escape through the roof, replaced
by fresh air drawn in through traditional windows.
circulation and quality, such as dust, dirt and mold.
Regular and thorough cleaning can help keep those
irritants at bay and make your quest for cleaner air
easier.
Find more tips for creating a healthier home at
veluxusa.com/indoorgeneration.
Eliminate potential obstacles.
Avoid blocking fresh air with drapes, blinds and other
hindrances, like heavy furniture placed too close to
windows. Also consider other aspects of your home
that could be thwarting your efforts to improve air
Creating Cleaner Indoor Air
Creating more airflow is an important step to
improving your indoor environment, but
consider ations like air quality should not be
overlooked. More air is a good thing, but
more clean air is better yet.
Everyday home life activities such as
cooking, showering, lighting candles,
sleeping and doing laundry can all contribute
to polluted indoor air, which over time can
lead to the development of illnesses.
These tips from the indoor climate experts
at Velux can help make the air inside your
home healthier:
1. Keep bathroom doors closed and turn
on the extractor fan or open a window or
skylight when showering.
2. Turn the hood fan on when cooking and
open your windows, if weather permits.
3. Avoid burning candles excessively; look
for alternatives such as sprigs of lavender to
add a natural fresh scent.
4. Dry clothes outside when possible, which
reduces carbon emissions from the dryer
and minimizes potential pollutants traveling
through the dryer vent.
5. Clean regularly with non-chemical based
cleaning products, and pay attention to
ingredients in cleaning products that may
create hazardous fumes.
Sunlight is a natural antidepressant, and there is ample scientific evidence that associates daylight with better health and
quality of life, such as improved mood, less fatigue and reduced eye strain. If your home needs some brightening up,
consider these home features with natural light in mind:
Paint
Mirrors
Choosing a lighter-colored paint and
avoiding statement wallpaper or large
blocks of color can naturally make
a space feel brighter and reflect any
natural light entering the room. Think
soft shades of off-white or subdued,
neutral hues.
Adding furniture and accessories
with reflective surfaces can help
diffuse light and add stylish touches
throughout the home. Metallic, glass
and mirrored accessories, or even
mirrors themselves, can spread light
throughout your home.
Flooring
Lighting
Wooden, ceramic or stone floors with
a polished finish typically reflect light
to help brighten spaces. If you prefer
carpet, consider light, neutral colors to
help make the space feel brighter.
Skylights
Adding skylights is a relatively low-
cost, high-impact home improvement
that can enhance home decor and
deliver energy-saving benefits, as
well. Fresh air skylights, like those from
Velux, can help reduce dependence on
artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation,
which helps save money on electric bills.
Convenience features like remote control
operation make it easy to manage air flow
and natural lighting with the touch of a
button.
Go easy on artificial lighting, and
instead work to optimize natural light
sources. Consider supplementing
areas where natural light doesn’t
reach such as corners and corridors
with small lamps, and install dimmer
switches that can easily be adjusted
depending on the amount of natural
light flowing into your home.