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Health & Fitness

Fresh Air

Just Breathe...

As we fall into the doldrums of winter, good indoor air quality is a vital part of our health and happiness.

Relying solely on natural air movement, in the form of small cracks and air holes that show up as nefarious drafts and air leaks in the home, results in poor indoor air quality. This type of air flow is unregulated; too much air leaks in during the cold weather, while not enough air circulates during the warm weather. Unruly air movement allows nefarious drafts and its partner in crime excessive moisture to roam freely. Both need to be captured and guided through a well designed ventilation system. If not, unruly air will push excessive moisture up as they make a break for freedom. Air escapes through the small cracks and air leaks, but moisture gets trapped in the attic. This creates another set of issues. 

In summary, nefarious drafts and air leaks and excessive moisture are the prime suspects as the causes of moisture and frost on windows and moisture in your attic. Both of which contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Next time, we will dive into how to control excessive moisture, thwart condensation and improve indoor air quality.

SOMETHING YOU CAN DO NOW: A NASA Study recommends one six inch house plant per 100 square feet. A quick search on the internet will lead you to many lists of ideal houseplants. Hmm, might I suggest starting a neighborhood or office space plant cutting swap! 

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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