Healthy Clean Air | Healthy Fresh Air | Healthy Humidity

What is Off-gassing?

2 minute read

Share

Off-gassing occurs when Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs) are released into the air we breathe. VOCs can live anywhere in the home in the form of solids or liquids. Common sources, like paints, furniture, carpeting, cleaning supplies, and more, can create some of the most well-known VOCs including formaldehyde, chloroform, acetone, ozone, and more. So, what can you do?

 

How to Tell if Something is Off-gassing

 

Sometimes, odor can be a sign that something is off-gassing. While it’s not always present or an indicator of off-gassing, it’s not uncommon to experience odors. For example, a new car smell—a smell that most of us actually enjoy—is an example of off-gassing chemicals from manufacturing glue. The same is true for that ‘clean’ smell we all love after a day of disinfecting. These smells can create long-lasting health problems. All VOCs (and people) are different, so it’s possible that you won’t even recognize an odor or even know that something around you is off-gassing, but that doesn’t mean VOCs aren’t releasing themselves into the air we breathe.

 

You can use an Indoor Air Quality Test to see if off-gassing is occurring in someone’s home or you can ask if the residents are experiencing any health problems.

 

What Are the Health Risks of Off-gassing?

VOCs are known to affect Indoor Air Quality; these symptoms can worsen due to the polluted air surrounding you. If you are exposed for a substantial amount of time, you may find yourself experiencing the following:

 

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Long-term symptoms, including:
    • Vision problems
    • Memory problems
    • Respiratory issues
    • Heart disease
    • Cancer

 

How to Prevent Off-gassing

  • Bring Fresh Air In: With the air inside our homes being 5 times more polluted than the air outside, bringing in fresh air can help replenish your indoor air. Run a ventilation system to increase fresh air.
  • Install an Air Purifier: Air purifiers and the right air filter can help remove VOCs from the air and boost the amount of circulating Healthy Air.
  • Practice Healthy Humidity: High humidity can actually make items off-gas quicker. A dehumidifier can help you regulate your humidity and slow the off-gassing process.

Clean air is Healthy Air, pure and simple. And when it comes to your home, breathing the highest quality air is important for the health of you and your family. Creating a Healthy Home environment is easy when you have the right tools

Healthy Home

Optimizing Indoor Air: The Role of Humidifiers in Energy-Efficient Homes

< 1 minute read

Share

Modern homes are built for maximum energy efficiency, reducing natural ventilation, and limiting the amount of dry outdoor air entering the home during the heating season. This has led to a misconception that humidifiers are unnecessary in newer homes. Research shows that without a humidifier, indoor humidity levels drop below what’s needed to maintain comfort and preserve the home. HVAC professionals play a key role in addressing this issue by recommending and installing humidifiers to ensure proper Indoor Air Quality and balanced moisture levels for customers.

 

Learn more about this study here.

Partners Homepage Blog Display AprilAire Partners

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

2 minute read

Share

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.

Healthy Clean Air

The Growing Need for Better Indoor Air Quality

< 1 minute read

Share

With 1 in 5 Americans suffering from asthma and allergies, Indoor Air Quality is a major concern. HVAC professionals play a key role in addressing this issue by recommending effective air filtration solutions.

 

Whole-Home Electronic Air Cleaners: A High-Performance Solution

Unlike standard mechanical filters, electronic air cleaners (EACs) use an electric charge to capture even the smallest airborne particles, providing superior filtration throughout the home. Installed within the HVAC system, they effectively remove allergens, dust, and other contaminants.

 

Why Recommend an Electronic Air Cleaner?

  • Higher Efficiency – EACs outperform traditional filters, especially for tiny airborne particles
  • Comprehensive Air Filtration – Integrated with the HVAC system, they clean air in every room
  • Ideal for Allergy & Asthma Sufferers – Helps reduce triggers like dust, pollen, and pet dander

 

While industry testing standards for EACs are still evolving, independent studies confirm their effectiveness. Offering whole-home electronic air cleaners gives contractors a high-value solution to improve IAQ and enhance customer satisfaction.

 

Learn more here.