In an attempt to conserve energy, buildings are increasingly being constructed more and more airtight. Specific to homes, storm windows, insulation, caulking and weather stripping cracks are a few ways we have managed to keep air, hot or cold, from escaping. Unfortunately when air is trapped in a building, pollutants are also trapped.

According to the National Safety Council, people, on average, spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Of that 90 percent, 65 is spent at home and to make matters worse, those who are most susceptible to indoor air pollution are the ones who are home the most: children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do. EPA studies have found that pollutant levels inside can be two to five times higher than outdoors. After some activities, indoor air pollution levels can be 100 times higher than outdoors.

According to the National Safety Council, there are many sources of pollutants in the home. Obvious ones are chemicals, cleaning products, and pesticides. Less obvious are pollutants caused by such simple tasks as cooking, bathing, or heating the home. Fortunately, there are easy steps that everyone can take to reduce the potential for indoor air pollution and to improve the quality of the air they breathe.

There are three different types of indoor air pollutants.
Particulates: dust, pollen, dust mites, animal dander, carpet fibers, and lint.
Micro-organisms: mold, influenza, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and germs.
Toxins (gases): benzene chemical vapors, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, paint, pesticides, carpet fumes, pet odors, ozone, cleaning vapors, and smoke.

According to the National Safety Council, it is difficult to determine which pollutant or pollutants are the sources of a person's ill health, or even if indoor air pollution is the problem. Many indoor air pollutants cannot be detected by our senses (e.g., smell) and the symptoms they produce can be vague and sometimes similar, making it hard to attribute them to a specific cause. Some symptoms may not show up until years later, making it even harder to discover the cause. Common symptoms of exposure to indoor air pollutants include: headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, itchy nose, and scratchy throat. More serious effects are asthma and other breathing disorders and cancer.

According to the National Safety Council, children may be more susceptible to environmental exposures than adults and, because of their developing systems, particularly vulnerable to their effects. Asthma is a case in point. About 4.2 million children in the United States, and more than 12.4 million people total, are affected by asthma each year. A recent study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine concluded that 65 percent of asthma cases among elementary school-age children could be prevented by controlling exposure to indoor allergens and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). By controlling biological contaminants (e.g., dust mites and cat allergens), asthma cases could be reduced by 55 to 60 percent.

Here at F.H. Furr, we have an entire team dedicated to improve the quality of life for our customers starting with the air you breathe. We offer a variety of solutions to suit your individual needs to improve your indoor air quality. Our process consists of addressing your concerns, in home consultation and installation. A phone call is all that stands between you and improved home indoor air quality. Give us a call today and breathe easier tomorrow!!!

At your schedule appointment time, our IAQ Consultant will arrive at your home, driving a clearly marked F.H. Furr vehicle, with a fully displayed identification badge. Our IAQ Consultant will walk with you throughout your home to observe existing conditions while listening to your experiences and concerns about your indoor air quality needs. We use current State of the Art Technology Sensor Equipment to determine the particulate count of various pollutants that are in your indoor atmosphere. Our IAQ Consultant can then provide you with information based on the Micron Size of the pollutants, not only what volume of these exist but also what type of pollutants, such as Pollen, Dirt, Dust, Viruses, Mold Spores and Bacteria as well as Carbon Monoxide. Our IAQ Consultant will sit with you to prepare the proposal based on the needs you have expressed. This proposal will state the products and the exact cost figures of each. At this time, you will have the opportunity to sign the contract, and you will be given a date of installation based on your schedule.

You will receive a reminder phone call from our office the night before your appointment, if we are unable to reach you, we will leave you a message. Our Installation Team will arrive at your home in uniform, driving a clearly marked F.H. Furr vehicle and introduce themselves to you. The Installation Team will begin the process of installing your IAQ products. Upon completion, you will be asked to sign the service ticket and any other paperwork that is applicable to your installation. Our Installation Team will clean up and address any final questions you may have.