Home Equity Loan,Energy Efficien Home And Healthy Living

Which is Right for You?

Ecoquest markets a product developed by Alpine industries. The Ecoquest Air Purifier comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their middle sized unit is called the Breeze AT. The next size up is the Classic and their new flagship product is the Fresh Air.

The prices for the Ecoquest Air Purifiers range from $400 to close to $900. This seems like an outrageous amount for an air purifier until you compare a few key options.

Just one Ecoquest Air Purifier can purify the air in a home or office up to 3000 square foot. Some name brand competitors can only purify rooms of 100 to 300 square foot at an average cost of about $200 per unit. You may need more units at a cost of $200 per unit to actually clean the air in your whole house compared to one Ecoquest unit that can do the whole house.

Applications of an Ecoquest Air Purifiers meet or exceed those of other name brand air purifiers according to my own personal test and those of 2 of my assoicates. The Ecoquest Air Purifiers remove toxic mold and mildew, eliminate dust mites, remove toxic odors, eliminate bad odors and reduce allergens in the air like pollen as wells as eliminating second hand smoke.

In my home application I put the Ecoquest Air Purifier into a room with 2 pieces of antique furniture that I purchased at an auction. To my dismay I found out after the pieces were delivered that they came from a home littered with too many cats. The furniture had a terrible odor from cat urine. A friend suggested I take the Ecoquest Air Purifier into the room, shut the door and let it run on full blast for a day or two. At this point I was willing to try anything to salvage my furniture. After 3 days the antiques stopped smelling and were moved into my home.

Another friend of mine had 3 name brand air purifiers in their tiny 1000 square foot home. They tried an Ecoquest Air Purifier and expressed to me their immediate satisfaction. Their house no longer sounded like a wind tunnel. Their daughter who suffers from terrible allergies was sleeping easier at night. The name brand units were put into the garage and they gladly paid the premium price for the Ecoquest Unit.

Another associate has expressed to me that they can’t live without their Ecoquest Air Purifier. She suffered from migraines. Her children suffered from allergies and her husband snored so loudly that it kept her awake at night. Upon installing the unit and adjusting the settings she found that after a week the children were no longer on allergy medications, her husband’s snoring had stopped and she had not had a migraine since the unit was installed.

There is a school of thought that the ozone technology used in the machine could be harmful but that theory has not been proven. All in all if you weigh the pros being top air purification and odor elimination vs the cons being the price of the unit I think the Ecoquest Air Purifier is a valid option for home air purification.

Health Problems Caused By Air Pollution

In a world that is becoming increasingly industrialized, and in a world where more people can afford to drive cars, air pollution is becoming a larger problem. While there are those who would debate whether or not our air pollution is causing global warming, versus the earth’s natural warming process since the last Ice Age, that is not the issue. Definitive proof may or may not be found anytime soon. What is certain, however, is that there are confirmed problems caused by air pollution. These problems include respiratory problems and they also include problems regarding what we eat.

As the world moves more into the modern age, more pollutants are spewed into the air. Rising middle classes in large, formerly poor countries like China and India want the same privileges that we have of driving cars. Additionally, countries that entered the latter half of the 20th Century largely free of industry are now establishing it in order to jump into the 21st Century and bring their economies up to date. Many of these countries are understandably resentful of regulations that others try to foist on them because the already industrialized countries had their opportunity for unregulated and explosive industrial growth. And the increasing demands for cars, coupled with lowered restrictions on pollution output, in the U.S. continues to drive the air pollution machine. No matter where it comes from, however, air pollution causes health problems almost everywhere.

Respiratory problems are a very natural and scientifically established result of air pollution. While mild pollution is not awful for a healthy person in the prime of his or her life, polluting particles in the air can cause problems in children and in the elderly or the infirm. Additionally pollutants in the air can aggravate asthma symptoms and increase allergy symptoms. This can be annoying and dangerous to the health of some people.

Another air pollution problem has to do with mercury. Mercury is a by product of many factories, and is present in the particles spewed from the tops of smokestacks. As the mercury gets into the earths atmospheric system, it mingles with rain, which then falls into water and is absorbed by fish. As larger fish (like tuna) prey on the smaller, they receive even higher amounts. Even though fish is generally healthy, there are some varieties that should be avoided. And it is recommended that no one eat more than two servings of fish per week. Pregnant women and children should eat no more than one serving of some fish and should avoid eating any of certain types of fish, as the mercury can cause defects and has been linked to developmental problems.

If you are in the dark about what air purifiers are and what they actually do, you are not alone. Many people have at least thought about the notion of improving their indoor air quality, but quickly abandon the idea because of the confusion surrounding the topic of air purifiers. Hopefully, after reading this article you will have a working knowledge of what air purifiers are, how air purifiers work, and what air purifiers can do yo help improve the environment you live in and the air you breathe.

Out With The Mold

Are black spots showing up on the bathroom walls and ceilings? Is a musty smell curling your nose? Let’s face it, you’ve got mold. A touch of mold doesn’t present much of a health problem for healthy adults but can cause coughing, sneezing and wheezing. For people with ailments such as asthma, lung disease, allergies and immune disorders, mold is a much bigger problem.

Houses are a great place for mold spores to settle in and thrive. The drywall, paper, wood and insulation make for an ample supply of food. When these materials get wet, mold spores multiply becoming thriving colonies of black gunk. The musty odors are waste products from the growing mold. The odors are a sign that mold is actively growing and thriving.

One of the best ways to clear out the mold is to eliminate its environment. Molds need water in order to grow, so by eliminating excess water buildup, you can stop the growth.
The first task is to repair any leaks, including pipes, roof, water heater, toilet seals etc. Next use the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, install one. If it’s humid, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.

Next, you must remove the mold itself. If your mold troubles are extensive, consider hiring a professional. For smaller trouble spots, you can tackle the job on your own. If you’re not sure, it’s best to let a pro take a look.

Always wear goggles, gloves and a mask. Seal off the area from the rest of the house so the spores don’t travel and settle in elsewhere. Cover the air conditioning and heating vents, recessed lighting, electrical switch plates, doors and any other opening that spores might be able to travel through. Open the windows to the outside for ventilation.

Now that the area is prepped, scrub all surfaces with a mild cleaner or detergent. Next, mix a ¼ cup of bleach with one quart of water and scrub with this solution taking care not to drip on carpet, towels and other fabrics or materials. Take a break for 20 minutes or so, in another room. After 20 minutes, repeat the bleach scrub down. Finally, apply a solution of a borate based detergent to the surfaces and do not rinse this off.

Remove the coverings from the air conditioning vents and vacuum the floor. Wash any towels, area rugs, bedding, etc from the affected area.

Why You Need An Air Filter in Your Home?

4 Simple Steps to Make It Safer

It is true that we spend most of our time, almost 80% of it, in indoor spaces. We’re used to worrying about the air outdoors. We complain about pollution, gas emissions and smog. However, indoor air can be more hazardous than outdoor air. That is due to the levels of humidity that are created in closed spaces, which support growth of bacteria and intensify the existing pollutants. The concentration of pollutants per unit of air can be 10 to 50 times greater indoors than out. Additionally, indoor air is perfectly absorbed and exchanged with fresh air. That leads to breathing higher concentration of pollutants per breath.

Some of the indoor air pollutants whose existence we know of include:

—Tobacco, which is generally known to cause cancer to smokers, what we don’t know is that passive smokers also run a high risk of developing cancer, nose or throat irritations, bronchitis and asthma. Additionally, tobacco smoke, being thick, is not completely absorbed and/or exchanged with fresh air. It becomes smog that sits around the house.

—Volatile organic compounds are regularly used in houses. The name is tricky but the products are simple. Perfumes and hair sprays, various detergents, air fresheners, polishers, fragrance candles… these innocent products can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea.

—Pesticides and other bug repellents cause respiratory irritation, impaired lung function and may even contribute to asthma and damage to the central nervous system.

—Animal dander, dust mites and pollen from indoor plants can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks to people with respiratory problems.

—Various bacteria also exist in our indoor air, as well as mold, mildew and fungi, which may cause eye, nose and respiratory irritation, skin rash and other allergic reactions.

—Some of the most dangerous pollutants indoor are radon asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and organic gases that cause respiratory irritations, nausea fatigue and headaches, contribute to lung cancer, liver and central nervous system damage. Along with oxygen, we breathe these harmful substitutes every day. Let’s see what we can do to purify our indoor air and protect our health.

—Use air-cleaning houseplants. Houseplants have the ability not only to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen but also to trap and absorb many pollutants through their natural process of photosynthesis. Luckily, plants are very effective at removing gases such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene and cigarette smoke. The best air purifying plants are Aloe Vera, Bamboo palms, Dracaena palms, Spider plants, Philodendrons, Pothos and Chrysanthemums.

—Ventilate your space properly. Air-purification devices can reduce the amount of pollutants found in indoor air. Clean the filters regularly. You can use filters with activated carbon, which is very effective as pollutant gases are attracted by and stick to the carbon.

— Open the windows. That will allow the exchange of indoor air with fresh air letting many pollutants to escape. Create an air cross draft to clean the air faster.

—You shouldn’t rely solely only on outdoor air to refresh your space. Outdoor air isn’t completely clean; it contains many pollutants as well. The best way to keep air healthy is to eliminate the source of pollutants as much as possible. Be on the lookout and remove all products that contain petrochemicals.

Scientific research has shown increased evidence that indoor air pollution is one of the biggest environmental risks we face. Public-health experts coordinate to bring solutions, but meanwhile, take precautions, such as the ones listed above, to protect yours and your family’s health.

Did you know that many of the products we use routinely to clean our homes contain toxic chemicals? I didn’t until I started reading about it. Did you know that our government allows this?

Why Vents are Important in Improving Indoor Air Quality?

It is important to have good indoor air quality. Because we are indoors a great deal — at home and at work — it is important to make sure that the indoor air we are breathing is as healthy as possible. The truth of the matter is that in some cases, the air we breathe indoors is worse than what we breathe outdoors. This is because the air inside is constantly re-circulated, and because it is in a confined space. Outdoors, the air is more dilute, and the particles not so concentrated (except in high pollution areas).

Vents are often collection places for particles that can aggravate allergies and asthma and that can cause other respiratory irritations. Not only do vents collect dust, dander, and hair of all sorts, they then release them into the air. Whether through the heating processing or by forced air conditioning, all the little particles are expelled into the air to float around and eventually be inhaled by members of the household. In order to avoid this, it is possible to use air filters. There are HEPA filters that are made from a special fabric that traps particles and prevents them from getting into the air. There are even filters that can prevent mold spores from spreading through the air and trap the particles that cause odors. These special filters can be placed in the vents, and also at the source of the blowing air in order to prevent particles from circulating through the house.

Another culprit of bad indoor air is the vacuum. So often what is vacuumed up is re-circulated in the process. Small particles are blown back into the air as one vacuums the floor. The number of particles in the air can be significantly reduced by using a vacuum specially fitted with a HEPA filter. Some vacuums also have special bags that are made from HEPA material that prevents even the smallest particles from drifting out of the bag. Multiple filters only help the vacuum more effectively trap irritating and potentially unhealthy particles.

Furniture is an ideal gathering place for all sorts of small particles. And, every time you sit down or your children or pets hop up onto the piece of furniture, the small particles are released into the air, waiting to be inhaled. You can reduce this occurrence by vacuuming your furniture using your upholstery attachment. By doing this every month or so, you can help keep the allergen in the air of your home to a minimum. And if your vacuum has a HEPA filter on it, so much the better. What you get off your furniture will not simply re-circulate through the air as you are vacuuming. Make sure you lift up any cushions and vacuum the undersides.

Keeping your respiratory system healthy can be hard work, especially if you have allergies or asthma. However, you can go a long way toward keeping the air indoors clean with the help of filters on your vents and vacuums.

We are a society of people who want an alternative to various items. We want everything made simple and easy because we are so busy and have very tight schedules. We as a society need to make better choices. We take for granted things that have been used for generations without question. We don’t take the time to do any research because we don’t think we need too.

Now let me ask you, what are toxins? What do they do?

Toxins are chemicals and poisons placed in products and toiletries we use everyday. Chemicals like formaldehyde and dioxins are used to clean and sanitize our homes. They are disbursed in the air we breathe and absorbed into our skin. These chemicals and poisons weaken our immune system, which slows our bodies’ ability to fight off germs. It takes longer for your body to fight off a cold. Toxins are everywhere.

We have become a world of "chemical soup” so to speak and we are inadvertently letting it happen. The reason why?

- It’s convenient to just grab it off the shelf without thinking.

- We are creatures of habit. We do what our parents have done before. “My mom uses whatever so I will too.”

- We accept and trust what is on the shelves of our local stores. We blindly think the products are safe.

- We are under the assumption that the government is protecting us against these dangerous products, when in fact - they are not.

- We don’t look for an alternative until either we are lucky enough to become informed prior to trouble or… maybe not so lucky, when it has already affected you or a family member through a worrisome disease process.

The following is a summary of information from Kay Hizer, Director of "Healthy Choices", a non-profit organization comprised of doctors, nurses,environmental scientists and educators committed to teaching the publicabout the hazards of chemicals in our homes and how we can avoid or minimize the risks.

50% of all illness is due to poor indoor air quality
(Source: 1989 State of Massachusetts Study)

The top cancer causing products in the average home include the following:
Johnson and Johnson Baby powder with Talc
Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste
V05 Hair Conditioner
Clairol Nice N Easy Hair Color
AJAX Cleanser
Lysol Disinfectant
(Source: The National Cancer Prevention Coalition)

Liquid Dish Soap is the leading cause of poisonings in the home for children under the age of 6 (over 2.1 million accidental poisonings per year) (containsformaldehyde and ammonia in most brands)

Of the chemicals found in personal care products:
884 are toxic
146 cause tumors
218 cause reproductive complications
314 cause biological mutation
376 cause skin and eye irritations
(Source: United States House of Representatives report, 1989)

Over the last 20-30 years, as more toxic chemicals have been introduced in greater amounts, the level of toxins stored in adipose tissues (fat cells) of ourbodies has risen. Bio-accumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our bodies for life. Greater and greater amounts are being stored at younger ages.

Diseases that used to occur later in life are now appearing at younger ages. Diseases that used to be rare are more frequent. For Example: There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of pesticides into household products.
(Source: National Cancer Institute)

In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men; 82% for women-the higher rate for women is believed to be due to women's longer exposure times to household chemicals)
(Source: Center for Disease Control)

Due to the increase in toxic buildup in our bodies, including the toxic buildup of formaldehyde, dead bodies are not decomposing as fast as they used to.
(Source: National Institutes of Health)

There is an increased risk for leukemia in children where parents have used pesticides in the home or garden before the child's birth
(Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute)

Over 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities.
(Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

They are caused by toxins and poisons absorbed through our skin. That’s why they make the patch for so many different health issues. It works. There are other times when we don’t want it to work or we don’t even know it’s doing damage. Let me ask you? How do you feel after you clean the bathroom? Do you have to open a window? Do you have to leave the room until the smell clears out? Are you a little dizzy?

If you knew there was an alternative, would you buy it? If that product saved you 30%-40% off retail, would you buy it? If you could help others, would you share the information?

What Is That Funny Smell?

The possibility that mildew has been causing that strange odor you smell in you home may not have crossed your mind, but the fact is that mildew typically emits a very distinctive odor. For you, this may mean that you’re spending a great deal of time, effort and money tying to make your home smell good, only to find yourself facing the same battle day after tiring day. Take a minute to consider some facts about mildew and you may realize that you’ve been going about this problem the wrong way.

Most people know that mold and mildew can cause some serious health issues because of the recent media attention to the problem. What you may not realize is just how easy it is for mildew to get a start in your home, and that not all mildews are going to cause the family to become ill. In fact, one of the first signs that you have mildew may very well be right in front of your face – your nose, actually.

The degree of the odor will depend on several factors, including the amount of mildew infestation and the kind of mildew. Most common mildews that you’ll find around your home are relatively harmless, but the fact that there could be health issues coupled with the tendency for odors makes it a good idea to take control of mildew in your home.

So how do you tackle the problem of mildew odor? Candles, air fresheners and anything else along these lines will simply hide the odor for a short period of time. As soon as you aren’t spraying or burning, the smell will permeate the air once again. Instead of trying to hide the odor, you should be searching for the source and eliminating all the mildew you can find.

Don’t know where to start looking? If there’s moisture and no light, you’ve got a good breeding place for mildew. That doesn’t mean that it has to be pitch black. Mildew can grow in some relatively light areas as long as it’s dim at least some times.

Start in the bathrooms and kitchens. Remember that it’s possible for mildew to hide. If you’ve been thoroughly infested, you may even need to remove floor coverings and baseboards in order to get at all the mildew. Leaks are mildew’s friend. Be sure to repair leaks as quickly as possible and don’t allow water to stand on floors or cabinets.

One place where mildew sometimes thrives is the laundry hamper. If you aren’t washing clothes on a near-daily basis, it’s a good idea to put washcloths and other wet items somewhere to dry. A wadded up washcloth in the middle of a hamper is a great place for mildew. Not only will your hamper soon smell funny, mildew stains are very difficult to remove.

Whether you’re an excellent housekeeper or merely do enough to get by, mildew is a possibility. The next time you’re encountering a not-so-fresh odor around your house, consider that the culprit could be mildew.

Your Home may be polluted without an Air Purifier

Why should we bother with air purifiers? Many people are very good housekeepers and yet we hear and read about how the home environment in such bad conditions. So how can it be dirty and yet you spend time daily cleaning? One of the problems is today’s homes are such tight specifications what gets in can not get out. They are more energy efficient than 20 years ago but that also increases home pollution. You’re conserving energy but you’re polluting your home. Your strict cleaning routine may make the use of an air purifier even more important. This is because of the cleaning solutions and chemicals that you are using.

Here are some other reasons that your home may be polluted without an air purifier. The family pet is a very big source of home pollution since pet dander contains allergens. Having an air purifier in the rooms that the pets stay is very beneficial. If you allow them in your bedroom run an air purifier constantly and wash your bedding daily if possible. Vacuum several times a week and run your air purifier on high for several minutes after you get finished with the vacuum.

Forced air furnaces are also a culprit as they re-circulate dirt, often containing allergens from pet dander and other airborne pollutants. Changing the filters of whole house filters in the spring and fall is a must, and it is even better if you add electrostatic filters to them.

Continuous room fresheners are another source of home pollutants that an air purifier would be able to assist you with removing.

Tobacco is another very common pollutant that also has some severe health risks. If at all possible smokers should go outside. At the very least they should smoke in non key areas of the home.

Outside pollutants the have entered such as industrial discharged particles, gases, and other odor associated with industry. These pollutants have entered and have no way to escape so you are breathing them with each and every breath.

The type of home air purifiers that you use depends on which kinds of home pollutants you’re most worried about. Different air purifiers work on different types of pollutants. Some are better with removing air borne particles and others are better as absorbing odors, cleaning chemical smell and gases. Some of your high end air purifiers will do a equally good job with all types of indoor pollutants.

Home air purifiers (particularly those with HEPA technology and activated carbon) can be of great assistance. By placing a high quality unit in your bedrooms and main living areas, your home will be as clean as it looks. It will also be healthier since the air purifiers have taken the majority of allergens out of the air you are breathing.

A New Regulation That Erin Brockovich Can Appreciate

It’s safe to say that in the U.S. that your drinking water is treated, filtered, and safe for consumption. After all, with the advancements in water treatment chemicals and the governing rules of the EPA the water you receive at home is guaranteed to be potable. Even though our water is at a clean and safe level the spread of waterborne diseases is still a threat, and the EPA continues to study and research to find more ways to protect public health by ensuring that there are fewer contaminants in our drinking water.

In January of this year, the EPA introduced a new rule to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. This rule requires that water systems be monitored for levels of cryptosporidium. Its purpose is to improve the quality of drinking water and to reduce the number of illnesses caused by crypto and other disease causing microorganisms that may be present in drinking water as well as uncovered finished water reservoirs.

Cryptosporidium is often present in systems in which the E-coli results of a total coliform bacteria test exceed the specified concentration level. The results of the total coliform bacteria test are used as the primary indicator of the water’s potability.

The microscopic parasites of cryptosporidium cause the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. In recent years, recreational water facilities have been implicated in several outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis. Crypto is transmitted into the water via fecal material from humans or animals. Young children are extremely susceptible to contracting cryptosporidiosis from a contaminated recreational water supply since they often swallow quantities of water while swimming. In addition, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are also a great risk if crypto is contracted.

The cryptosporidium parasites create a challenge when trying to keep water clean and disinfected since the parasites are resistant to many chemical disinfectants including chlorine. Filtration is currently the only conventional method of removing crypto from water supplies. Sand filtration has proven to work the best. The water is disinfected after filtration and then it is deemed consumable.

The monitoring of large water systems, those servicing at 100,000 people, for cryptosporidium will begin in October of this year according to the EPA’s LT2 Rule. Smaller systems, which service less than 10,000 people, will not be required to begin monitoring until October 2008. This monitoring is an extension of current regulations and it will increase the level of protection over drinking water supplies.

Allergen Free Sleep

Free Environment Using Air Filters

If you have allergies caused by substances and microorganisms in the air, air filters are the solution to your needs. Allergy sufferers will want to grab the product which will improve their suffering. If you are allergic to airborne substances and microorganisms like dust mites or pollen, using an air purifier or an air filter can help you.

But, the degree of relief depends upon many other factors that are under your control. One type of air filter is the ionic air purifier. There are other kinds of air purifiers that may better suit your needs. There are filters that use electric attraction, and carbon filters to further cleanse and remove the impurities in the air. There are also filters which are placed in your home’s A/C unit. Through this, the filter cleans the air that is ventilated throughout your house. This would definitely increase the air quality in your house. If you are allergic to dust, then you should know the most effective ways to remove dust in your home. Using air purifiers is one solution. These aim to reduce the allergenic substances in your environment that is surrounding your home.

So what is an air purifier? An air purifier is equipment which is normally located in one room or area, and its primary job is to cleanse and filter the air. An air purifier may work differently depending upon its model and what it is made of. There are those units that you are obliged to clean and check on every once in a while and need replacement periodically. Some purifiers use a method of ionization to capture and remove allergen particles in the air and force airborne particulates to stick to exterior surfaces and the air cleaner sucks them up later on.

Using air purifiers is very beneficial to many families. Some families have air purifiers in each of their rooms and bedrooms. These filters, however, require regular cleaning. Some doctors recommend not using carpets and using vinyl flooring instead. Dust mite encasements are advised for use on all beddings in the house to prevent dust mites. Some families even have a portable air filter they take with them while they are on their vacation to ensure that they stay in a hotel room that is as safe as their house.

If you are using an air filter that needs some replacement or cleansing on a regular basis, you should examine it periodically to lengthen the life of your equipment. However, be careful in examining and checking the equipment. Follow the instructions or hire heating or cooling personnel to check it and replace parts. To ensure that you completely remove the dust, be sure to steam clean the carpets or remove carpeting altogether.

There are many benefits to using air cleaners. Nowadays air cleaners are quite affordable and every home should have one particularly if you live in large cities where the pollution levels are quite bad.

If you or your family members are suffering from allergies, an air cleaner is a necessity in your home. The reason being an air cleaner can help to remove allergens in the air by filtering and recycling the air thereby reducing the possibility of allergy attacks.

If you are suffering from asthma or sinus problems, an air cleaner will really help you. An air cleaner will dramatically reduce the amount of dust and debris in the air. Other particles that irritate the lung are also removed thereby reducing the rate of asthma attacks. A doctor recommended this to me since he told me for asthmatic patients to reduce the chance of asthma attacks, I should get an air cleaner. Really, if you considered the small price you pay for an air cleaner versus your health, I think it is a worthwhile investment.

An air cleaner can also reduce the number of air-borne germs. It can used particularly useful for those with a weak immune system who are prone to illness and other diseases. For babies and young toddlers, it is equally useful since their immune system is not developed fully yet.

There are various types of air cleaners available on the market these days that do not cost a lot of money. Some air cleaners require you to replace the air filter periodically. The newer models of air cleaners use what's known as an ionic system. An ionic system does not need to replace the air filter but instead by regularly washing the air filter similar to your air-conditioner. In my opinion, an ionic air cleaner is a better choice since you can save a bit of money in buying replacement air filters.

Air cleaners are well worth your investment if you consider your health or your family health is more important than anything. An air cleaner can cut down the chances of a allergy attack or an asthma attack. If you are living in an urban city, chances are the air is a lot more polluted than you think. I got a shock when I saw how dirty the air filter was after a period of time. More than anything, I have cut down the number of times I visit the doctor for my asthma. So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself an air cleaner today.

In addition to the regimen related to the internal functioning of the body such as diet and exercise, the Naturopathic system of healing makes use of several remedial procedures external to the body. These procedures are designed to achieve two aims: (1) accelerating the process of healing and (2) providing relief to the patient from the painful symptoms of the disorder. Among these external remedies prescribed by Nature Cure, hydrotherapy is of special importance. Water is an integral factor of our life processes. Actually water makes up 70 per cent of the human body.

Do They Help or Hurt?

Cold weather brings dry homes. And dry homes bring itchy skin, scratchy throats, and irritated sinuses. To counter the effects of "dry house syndrome," the first thing homeowners and contractors often reach for is a central humidifier.

If you happen to be an admitted germ-phobe, central humidifiers aren't for you. Think swamp-environment. That's the best way to describe the conditions inside your furnace-attached humidifier; a breeding-ground for bacteria, viruses, and molds.

If you have leaky ducts that run through an unconditioned area, such as the attic, warm "humidified" air is able to escape and condense on the cold roof-deck, causing costly moisture-damage and/or rot.

If you want to maintain comfortable winter humidity levels (+-40 percent RH), here's a more "holistic" approach:

1.) Reduce your homes air-leaks. Cutting the homes air-infiltration rate reduces the amount of moisture that gets lost to the outside. Reducing air-leaks also reduces drafts and saves energy.

CAVEAT: In our opinion, there's no such thing as an "overtight" home. That said, if you don't have adequate ventilation, excess moisture can be a problem in tight homes. Additionally, overtightening the home in a manner that seals-off a furnace' or water-heaters source of combustion air increase the risk of back-drafting the chimney and introducing carbon monoxide into the home.

2. Consider an energy-recovery ventilator (ERV). ERVs like their close-cousin, the heat-recovery ventilator (HRV), are 'balanced' ventilation systems. Conventional exhaust-only ventilators (i.e. standard bathroom fan) get their make-up air by pulling it through the cracks and leaks in the home. Not a very well-controlled method, and certainly not the best for indoor air quality.

Balanced ventilators, like ERVs and HRVs, bring fresh air into the home by way of dedicated ducts. As an added bonus, HRVs 'recover' a portion of the heat that normally gets exhausted and returns it back inside the home, a nice energy-efficiency feature. ERVs have an added-added bonus. They recover heat AND humidity and help keep clean, fresh-air circulating through the home without drying-it out in winter. Controls prevent the unit from causing excessive humidity-levels that can lead to condensation build-up on windows, or more serious moisture problems.

Balanced ventilators, like ERVs and HRVs, also help minimize the risk of chimney back-drafting. Some models have built-in HEPA filters for even better indoor air quality.

You'll have to spend more money in the short-term, but the benefits of this two-pronged approach are multi-fold -- cleaner air, a safer home, lower energy bills, and greater comfort. And believe us, the goopy, sticky stuff that's sticking to the bottom of your humdifier is nasty.

Mold is a fungus growth, which begins with a minute spore. Toxic black molds can be found anywhere a dark and damp environment allows them to grow. Spores can be breathed in, absorbed through the skin or ingested on our food. Young children, senior citizens and anyone with immune deficiencies caused by disease, chemotherapy, etc are particularly vulnerable to grave illness following exposure to microbial contamination.

A Healthy Home Improvement

Your air duct system functions as the respiratory system of your home. When it becomes contaminated and congested, it should be cleaned so it can "breathe" normally and efficiently.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it may be time to have your air ducts cleaned.

-Does anyone in the house have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems?

-Does anyone in your family suffer from headaches, nasal congestion, or itchy eyes?

-Is there a smoker in the house?-Do you have dogs, cats or other pets?

-Do you notice "musty" or "stale" odors when the furnace runs?

-Do you notice dust on your furniture shortly after cleaning?

-Does your furnace utilize a standard throw away filter?

Important Facts About Indoor Air Quality And Your Family's Health!
The quality of the air we breathe indoors has become an increasingly important environmental concern. Following are facts that have been determined by recognized authorities in the fields of health and air quality:

-Most people spend 60-90% of their time indoors. (American Lung Association)

-50% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air. (American College of Allergists)

-The levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air.

-Studies have shown that two out of three indoor air quality problems involve the heating ventilation system.

-One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. (Total Health and Better Health Magazines)

-10-12 million Americans suffer from Asthma (American College of Allergists)

-Children and the elderly are especially affected by polluted indoor air. (Department of Consumer Affairs)

Dust, dirt, pollen, animal dander and other airborne contaminants are pulled into your air duct system every time the furnace runs. These contaminants build up inside the duct work over time and can help make your duct system an ideal breeding ground for mold spores, bacteria, fungus, mildew and other microbes. Each time the furnace is turned on, contaminants are spewed out and circulated throughout your home and affect the health and comfort of your family.

The removal of contaminants from the entire air duct system is recognized by industry experts as the most effective way to eliminate air duct pollutants.

The removal process is something that should never be attempted by the homeowner, as there is a huge risk associated with agitating the dust without completely extracting it. Always hire the services of a qualified air duct cleaning technician for the complete and safe removal of all ventilation system contaminants