The Importance of Ventilation

With the growing concern of rising energy prices, people everywhere are looking for ways to reduce their heating and cooling costs. One of the most popular DIY projects for improving energy-efficiency is by sealing air leaks around the house. Armed with weatherstrips and caulking guns, homeowners are obsessed with turning their home into an air-tight fortress.

What they do not realize is that by doing this, they have virtually eliminated natural ventilation, giving the harmful contaminants in their house no place to escape to. The average home is ten times more polluted than outdoor air, and poor indoor air quality is linked to all kinds of diseases and health problems.

Good airflow is essential in removing harmful toxins in your home, keeping your family healthy and free from allergies and respiratory infections. Ventilation is also needed to remove unwanted smells (pet odors, rotten food, etc.) and control moisture. When there is an adequate supply of fresh air moving through your home, it will prevent your floors, walls, and ceilings from accumulating excess moisture.

When there is too much moisture in your home, mold will soon follow. Mold can grow anywhere moisture is present, and is very common in homes; especially in bathrooms, basements, and ceilings with leaky roofs. Mold grows by reproducing microscopic spores, which can be inhaled and cause reactions such as sneezing, wheezing, irritated eyes and throats, fatigue, headaches, and nausea. If you have asthma, it could trigger an attack or even infect your lungs. Mold can also cause structural damage to your home by ruining your hardwood floors and weakening support beams.

Ventilation can be achieved naturally by opening your windows or doors, or through equipment installed in your home, such as exhaust fans. If you have a central air conditioning unit, it is constantly working to cycle air in and out of your home. Unfortunately, however, HVAC ductwork is a common yet unsuspecting place for mold to grow. If you have mold in your air ducts, its spores could be constantly circulating throughout your house.

If you have not had your air ducts professionally cleaned in more than three years, call the professionals at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We offer duct cleaning and mold removal services to homeowners across Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk counties. Call us today for a free quote at 631-940-8100.