It is an easy task to improve the indoor air quality of
your home while improving its energy efficiency at the same
time. Knowing some basic steps is all you need to get
started.

Improve Air Quality and Energy Efficiency by Eliminating
Drafts

The first order of business is to eliminate as many drafts
as possible. This will limit the quantity of airborne
allergens that can enter your home from outside. Draft
prevention can improve air quality inside our homes, and
has the added benefit of improving the energy efficiency of
our heating and cooling systems. Much of your high energy
costs is due to loss of heat in the winter and in the
summer, the loss of air conditioning, generates higher
energy bills and it wastes your money and our natural
resources.

Reducing drafts helps reduce the outside irritants and
toxic particles that can be found suspended in outdoor air
and have less chance of getting into your home.

Air Circulation Improves Improve Air Quality and Energy
Efficiency

Circulating the air inside becomes very important as it
allows the air to move around and the rooms will not become
stuffy, stale and full of odors. Using an air conditioner
to control the humidity in your home will also reduce or
eliminate humidity and reduce the need for a dehumidifier
which is very expensive to operate.

Create a Save Haven in Your Home

Your ability to control your indoor air quality and energy
efficiency will allow you to create a safe haven in your
home, This will help protected from airborne microbes such
as small pox, anthrax, botulism, toxic gas, and radio
active particle that can be released by terrorists or by
accident.

Improve Air Quality and Energy Efficiency by Leakage Testing

A simple air leakage test is your first step you need to do
to improve your indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
All that is needed is a fan set up near an outer doorway.
After placing the fan in the outer doorway, you will
observe that eh amount of air that flows through the fan is
equal to the air that is flowing through any leaks in the
outer shell of the building.

If you use white smoke while you perform the leakage test,
you will see openings in windows or door that are allowing
your air conditioning and heating to escape or toxins to
enter. These cracks are also places where dust, insects,
pollen and mold spores can enter the home.

Most people are aware of the fact that older homes are
often drafty due to multiple leaks, but believe it or not,
newly constructed homes can also have air leaks. It is
estimated that new homes can have upwards of 300 square
inches of air openings in the outer shell. If you have a
ducted air circulation system in your home, these openings
can create a significant level of pressure inside the home
that will drive air through these openings. Don't fall
into the trap of thinking that since you have a new home,
you don't have any leakage problems.

Conclusion

One final caveat. If you are planning on sealing up your
home to improve the air quality and energy efficiency of
your home, you must think about reducing the amount of
chemicals that you use. More and more studies are showing
that the air quality within our homes is often worse than
the air we breathe outside. Carpeting that gives off toxic
fumes, cleaning products, personal care products and
electronic equipment are only a few of the products that we
use indoors that is contributing to "sick house syndrome".
So before you tackle the job of improving your air quality
and energy efficiency, use more natural products in your
home to keep you and your family safe.