  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.
Written by: Charles Kassotis
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