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Controlling Indoor Air Pollution

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution, in order of effectiveness, are: Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution; Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation, and Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods. Of the three, the first approach — source control — is the most effective. This involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to…

Combustion Appliances – Indoor Air Pollution

What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution Hazards may be associated with almost all types of appliances. The purpose of this booklet is to answer some common questions you may have about the potential for one specific type of hazard – indoor air pollution – associated with one class of appliances – combustion appliances. Combustion appliances are those which burn fuels for warmth, cooking, or decorative purposes. Typical fuels are gas,…

Central Air Conditioner Definitions

Air Conditioner: Assembly of equipment for the simultaneous control of air temperature, relative humidity, purity, and motion. Air Cooled: Uses a fan to discharge heat from the condenser coil to the outdoors. Air-Source: Air is being used as the heat source or heat sink for a heat pump. BTU: British Thermal Unit. The amount of energy needed to change the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In practical terms, it represents…

What Carbon Monoxide Detectors Will & Won't Do

Carbon Monoxide Alarms What they can and cannot do CAN – sense unacceptable levels of CO in the air CAN – provide early warning, before a healthy adult might show symptoms CAN – act as round-the-clock monitor of CO CAN – only sense CO that reaches it – Where you hang a detector is important CAN – breakdown like any other electronic device CANNOT – work without electrical power (batteries, AC) CANNOT – sense smoke,…

Biological Pollutants in Your Home

Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continues to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest — your home. Many ordinary activities such as cooking, heating, cooling, cleaning, and redecorating can cause the release and spread of indoor pollutants at home. Studies have shown that…

Examples of Bad Heat Exchangers

What does a bad heat exchanger look like? Here are just a few examples along with an explanation of what causes cracks.