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Wildfires Threaten Air Quality of Homes

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California is currently being ravaged by wildfires and has been a fixture in news headlines for wildfire outbreaks the past three years. They are a national problem. In areas with large vegetation and dry conditions, they can spark up quickly from human error, lightning strike, or a spark from a power line or a car.

 

Wildfires Are Product of Climate Change

 

In its 2020 State of the Air Report, the American Lung Association (ALA) reported that wildfires are a major driver of poor air quality.

 

“This shows growing evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect human health. All three years ranked among the five hottest years in history, increasing high ozone days and widespread wildfires, putting millions more people at risk and adding challenges to the work cities are doing across the nation to clean up” – ALA, 2020 State of the Air Report

Wildfires are responsible for upticks in PM 2.5 particulates and they can create ozone.

 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated that the smoke from the recent wildfires in Northern California may impact the air several thousand miles away in Iowa and Minnesota.

 

Since they generate so much air pollution, homeowners will not be able to open their windows for fresh air ventilation. Whole-home air purifiers and mechanical ventilation systems can help.

 

Solutions to Air Pollution

 

A mechanical ventilation system can provide important change-outs to help homeowners bring in fresh air. An air purifier can help capture any other stray airborne contaminants.

 

As temperatures continue to rise, the possibility of wildfires and their harmful byproducts also increases.

 

AirNow, a collaboration of researchers from NASA, the NOAA, EPA National Parks Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other state and local agencies helps provide constant updates on air quality in your area.

 

The organization also has an interactive map to track wildfires, among others.

 

This resource helps provide insightful information to local homeowners so they can protect their indoor air.

Healthy Fresh Air | Healthy Humidity | Healthy Clean Air

Airborne Viruses and Healthy Air

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UPDATE: We’ve recently added a brand-new flyer for contractors to use with customers that provides an overview of the preventative measures covered below, as well as solutions they can provide to help create healthy air in the home. Check it out HERE, or order it from the AprilAire Partner Toolbox.

 

 

AprilAire has Healthy Air Solutions including air filtration, humidity control and fresh air ventilation products to help protect your customers from the spread of the airborne viruses. We have been a proud member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for more than 50 years.

 

 

Due to the spread of coronavirus and respiratory infections, there is an increased conversation surrounding the topics of health and safety, especially indoor air quality and the promotion of Healthy Air. Many of your consumers are looking for options to protect themselves not only from the coronavirus but from other airborne viruses like the common cold and the flu.

 

Air Filtration
Proper filtration of both the air in your home and incoming ventilation air is key to removing particulates from the air.

 

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM), the coronavirus nominally has a particle size of 0.13 microns and most airborne viruses range from 0.03 to 0.3 microns.

 

AprilAire MERV 16 Allergy & Asthma Filters provide the highest rate of effectiveness. They can capture up to 98%* of airborne particles the size of viruses.

 

Our whole-home AprilAire 5000 Electronic Air Cleaner is an effective product to capture airborne viruses. It is up to 99%* efficient at trapping airborne virus-size particles.

 

 Healthy Humidity Solutions
Proper Humidity reduces the transmission of viruses. ASHRAE promotes keeping humidity between 40-60% to minimize virus survival rates.

 

AprilAire provides humidifier products such as the 600, 700, and 800 and the 1850 dehumidifier to help keep the home between this optimal range.

 

Fresh Air Ventilation

Having a properly functioning whole-home ventilation system is critical to maintaining a healthy home environment. Fresh air is not only clean and refreshing but ventilation also helps dilute and remove contaminants.

 

Homeowners should use a ventilation system to bring in fresh air from the outside to dilute stagnant indoor air. The air inside the home can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. Products such as the AprilAire Model 8126X Ventilation System or Model 8140 Fresh Air Ventilator bring in the recommended amount of fresh air. They also have patented control logic to minimize energy usage.

 

Coupling these systems with our IAQ thermostats allows homeowners to easily adjust the amount of fresh air being brought (into) their home.

 

 

Whole-Home Product Control
AprilAire whole-home products work with our IAQ thermostats to provide easy user experience and control through the thermostat and AprilAire app.

 

 

Professional

Help combat airborne viruses and particulates in the home with AprilAire Products. Our products are not only manufactured in the United States, but our engineers and manufacturers maintain the highest standards in design and assembly. Contact our leading experts at 1-800-334-6011 for further assistance.

 

 

Please note: AprilAire products are not intended to cure or treat any known airborne viruses but can help in the reduction of airborne viruses in your home.

*Contaminants removed based on air passing through the filtering system.

 

Healthy Clean Air | Healthy Fresh Air | Healthy Humidity

COVID-19 Changes How Contractors Conduct Business in the Present and Future

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COVID-19 has placed an important spotlight on indoor air quality and established HVAC businesses as an essential group to help combat the transmission of the coronavirus. Due to current social distancing and quarantining guidelines, many HVAC businesses across the country have been forced to rethink the way they conduct business and to do so with as little social contact as possible. Despite the benefits of a Healthy Air system, a 3-part strategy that reduces customers chances of contracting and transmitting airborne viruses in their home,  many around the country are hesitant to let strangers in to their homes.

 

 

HVAC businesses need to find a way to communicate to consumers about the precautions they are taking while also touting the benefits of installing a Healthy Air System. You can assure customers through emails, newsletters or other marketing materials about the safety precautions your company is taking to limit exposure. Some companies are taking the temperatures of their employees while others are outfitting their employees with face masks, gloves, trash bags, and disinfectants. Whether the former is your company’s policy or if you’re still working through your company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll want to craft a response that will make homeowners feel safe and respected.

 

 

You want to make sure that the message is transparent, clear, but is open to questions and concerns from homeowners due to circumstances such as someone in the home who may be immunocompromised. You can share these updated policies on social media or through targeted emails and newsletters.

 

 

It’s best to include pictures or videos so customers know what to expect when someone shows up at their door. To best do that, your company will need to stay informed about COVID-19, particularly with how a Healthy Air System will work in the prevention of airborne viruses including COVID-19.

 

 

There is currently not a vaccine for COVID-19, but there have been multiple reports from both healthcare and university researchers about the important role humidity control plays in the reduction of airborne viruses. Our Engineering Fellow John Bloemer said that humidity control along with air filtration and fresh air ventilation provide the best defense against the transmission of airborne viruses.

These three work together to create a Healthy Air System for effective virus protection.

 

 

One company is getting creative in delivering products to customers. They are waving all delivery fees for purchased air filters. They will drop-off the air filter with the customer and the customer will have a new air filter without an installer entering their home. There are plenty of creative measures you can find to provide service to customers in your area.

 

 

Your entire marketing campaign does not have to be about equipment and statistics. Just like you’re focusing on finding the best way to conduct business, now is also a great time to focus on your company’s marketing. While your company may provide the best products to effectively eliminate airborne viruses like COVID-19, you can also communicate your company’s efforts in the community, your customer service, or reputation. People may not be able to purchase a Healthy Air system right now, but may do so in the future so you’ll want to establish a level of trust and confidence now.

 

 

No one knows when this pandemic will end or the ramifications it will have on consumer behavior moving forward. Your company will continue to be an essential business in combating airborne viruses, but the way you conduct and operate may not be business as usual. It’s expected that these policies will likely remain in place for the next several months and may become the new normal.

 

 

Despite these challenges, indoor air quality is an emerging market as more homeowners are made aware of the role HVAC systems play in creating a healthier indoor environment for both the present and the future.

Healthy Fresh Air | Healthy Clean Air

The Growing Need for HVAC Solutions in the Face of Allergy Season

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As an HVAC contractor, you’re no stranger to the challenges posed by seasonal allergies for your homeowners. However, what you may not realize is that the worsening allergy season is not just a personal inconvenience but a symptom of a larger issue—climate change.

 

With temperatures rising consistently year after year, pollen seasons are becoming longer and more intense. Recent studies indicate a significant shift in the duration and intensity of allergy seasons, with pollen counts soaring to record levels.

 

Amidst these changing environmental conditions, homeowners are seeking relief. As an HVAC contractor, you can offer solutions beyond conventional symptom management. By providing tailored HVAC systems and services, you can help homeowners adapt their indoor environment to minimize the impact of allergens.

 

Addressing the Root Cause

While medications offer temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying issue of Indoor Air Quality. You can implement solutions that tackle the root cause of allergies—poor IAQ.

 

Temporary allergy relief is neither sustainable nor cost-effective for homeowners – spending up to $16,000 on treatments in their lifetime, there’s a clear need to shift focus toward addressing the root cause. By advocating for proactive solutions like Healthy Air, homeowners can invest in long-term relief from allergy symptoms while ensuring the health and productivity of everyone in the home, all while avoiding the financial strain of continuous temporary treatment.

 

Ready to Deliver Healthy Air?

What key steps can you take to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms for homeowners and protect them from the dangers of poor Indoor Air Quality? Discover our top Healthy Air solutions:

 

AprilAire Whole-House Fresh Air Ventilation

Indoor air is often five times more polluted than the air outside. With an AprilAire Whole-House Fresh Air Ventilation System, airborne contaminants in the home can be diluted as it brings fresh air into the home.

 

AprilAire Whole-House Air Purification

Designed to trap and eliminate common airborne pollutants, like pollen and dust, an AprilAire Whole-House Air Purifier protects the home while extending the life of their current HVAC system.

 

AprilAire MERV 16 Air Filters

Install the gold standard of air filters! AprilAire MERV 16 Air Filters clear the air by capturing up to 99%* of allergy and asthma triggers.

 

AprilAire is Healthy Air

As HVAC contractors, you’re on the front lines of ensuring our homes are havens of clean air. With longer and stronger allergy seasons predicted, the American Lung Association emphasizes that climate change is a significant health emergency. Not only are allergy seasons getting worse, but wildfires and flooding are making it even more difficult to maintain clean air indoors.

 

Despite these challenges, you can help homeowners take crucial steps to protect their homes, families, and budgets. AprilAire whole-house Healthy Air solutions not only enhance Indoor Air Quality but also offer these transformative benefits:

 

  • Better sleep
  • Reduced illness
  • Alleviated allergies
  • Increased home value
  • Improved energy efficiency

 

Contact your local AprilAire distributor to order AprilAire Healthy Air solutions. Need help locating your AprilAire distributor? Visit our distributor locator.

 

*Contaminants removed based on air passing through the filtering system.

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AprilAire, the Leader in Healthy Air Solutions, Reduces by 66% Environmental Impact of Dehumidifiers

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MADISON, Wis. (March 25, 2024) – AprilAire, the leader in whole-house Healthy Air solutions, announces it is once again advancing its Dehumidifier lineup to be more intuitive, easy to connect, simple to use and maintain, and environmentally friendly.

 

Customers fuel the AprilAire passion to continually raise the bar. In 2024, AprilAire is excited to phase in the following new features and benefits to its market-leading Dehumidifier product offering:

 

First, and most significantly, AprilAire is upgrading the refrigerant in its Dehumidifiers to reduce by 66% the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of all the models in its lineup. The transition to R32 is underway and projected to wrap up across the full product line by year-end.

 

Look for this seal on AprilAire Dehumidifier packaging to indicate the product is more environmentally friendly and contains the refrigerant R32.

 

 

In addition, AprilAire continues to make its Dehumidifiers easier to use and maintain by eliminating the On/Off switch in non-hardwired models, as well as introducing a new, tool-less filter door in the E080 and E100 models.

 

“Customers will continue to experience the same superior product performance and reliability they have come to expect from AprilAire Dehumidifiers. By providing a more environmentally friendly product, we strengthen our brand leverage in the whole-home category and retain our position as the leader in delivering best-in-class Healthy Air solutions to dehumidify homes,” said Katie Zagorski, AprilAire Senior Product Manager, Dehumidification.

 

About AprilAire

 

AprilAire is on a mission to make homes healthy. We believe everyone deserves Healthy Air and envision a future with Healthy Air in every home. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin since 1954, AprilAire has been creating and delivering Healthy Air solutions to manage air purity, humidity, fresh air supply, temperature, and mitigate radon and viruses in all types of homes, and all environments. We have an unparalleled reputation as the brand of choice among tens of thousands of professional contractors and make a Healthy Air difference in the lives of the millions of families who rely on our products every day. To learn how to turn a house into a Healthy Home with the AprilAire Healthy Air System® visit www.aprilaire.com.

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An Update on Indoor Air Quality from the Project Sustainability Podcast

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As a contractor, you know that Indoor Air Quality is a hot topic these days. With more and more people spending time indoors, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that the air inside homes and businesses for your customers is as clean as possible. The Project Sustainability Podcast is here to help.

 

Hosted by a team of experts in sustainability and environmentalism, the Project Sustainability Podcast aims to educate and entertain listeners about a wide range of topics related to the environment. Their episode, “An Update on Indoor Air Quality,” features AprilAire Senior Training and Development Manager of AprilAire Academy Chris Howells participating in a discussion on the many factors that can affect the air quality inside our homes and buildings.

 

From volatile organic compounds to particulate matter to the impact of the air in the home on your customers’ pets, Chris and Project Sustainability’s Peggy Smedley cover a broad range of information and provide an engaging, enjoyable conversation on environmental issues and Indoor Air Quality.

 

This episode offers valuable insights into how you can continue to improve the air quality in your customers’ homes as well as practical tips for choosing the right air cleaner for different spaces and advice on how to improve ventilation and humidity control. Chris also emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to Indoor Air Quality—there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and a combination of different strategies may be needed depending on the specific circumstances of the home and its location. For contractors, this is an important reminder that improving Indoor Air Quality requires a nuanced understanding of the unique needs of each client.

 

Tune in for a resource to stay informed on the latest trends and best practices in Indoor Air Quality plus the impact on the HVAC industry. If you are looking to stay ahead of the curve and provide the best possible service to your clients, give the Project Sustainability Podcast a listen today.