Blue Ox Explains Why Indoor Air Quality Minneapolis Is Dropping and What to Do About It

Minneapolis based Blue Ox Heating & Air would like local homeowners to know that the indoor air quality of their houses is dropping even though they themselves may not be aware of it. The company also wants homeowners to understand what they can and should do about it to rectify the problem.

Most people are aware that there are pollutants in the air when they are out and about but almost everyone tends to think that they are safe from this problem within the confines of their own home. The chances are, however, that they are not as safe as they think.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the levels of indoor pollutants are very often two to five times higher than outdoor levels. In extreme cases these pollutants can be 100 times or greater than that found outside.

Harvard University has stated that 100% of homes tested had toxic compounds which included pesticides, cleaning compounds, chemicals found in furniture and building materials and so on.

Putting it quite bluntly, the quality of indoor air in most houses is more dangerous than that of the air outside and this is a real problem. The American College of Allergists says that as much as 50% of illnesses are caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. That is not good news for anyone, but it is particularly bad news for those at risk such as asthma sufferers.

The reason for this problem of poor indoor air quality is that modern homes simply do not get enough fresh air through ventilation. The houses are designed to be energy efficient and that effectively means they are airtight. Older homes did not have this problem at one time because they were far from airtight and were adequately ventilated. That has changed, however, as owners upgraded to energy efficient windows and doors and/or had siding fitted all around the house with house wrap underneath the siding.

Modern or old, air quality within the home is now a cause for concern. Homeowners are not helpless however, and there are steps they can take to rectify the situation and improve their indoor air quality. The first step is to call a qualified contractor who can determine the extent of the problem with Air Advice™ which will enable them to accurately quantify indoor air quality health, comfort, and safety issues.

Air Advice ™ is a monitor that can check for particulates and carbon monoxide as well as the temperature and relative humidity. In addition, it will check for toxins and chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, solvents, benzene and more. So much that people buy nowadays contain plastic in one form or another. These products put out airborne chemicals that the people in the house will not even be aware of. They will then breathe them in and not know it.

Blue Ox Heating & Air’s technicians are trained, certified and licensed by Air Advice ™ to use the monitor. Blue Ox’s experts can quickly and efficiently test a house to see what problems exist and then offer solutions dependent on what the issues are. The quantity of pollutants found, almost without fail, comes as a surprise and shock to most homeowners, especially when some of the figures are literally off the charts.

Blue Ox solutions can include ultra-violet (UV) light, air purifiers, air exchangers, humidifiers or dehumidifiers, and ozone products, among others. The company has solutions for alleviating the problems encountered and returning a house’s air to an acceptable and healthy quality.

Jason Page, Operations Manager for Blue Ox Heating & Air, said, “It takes just 30 minutes and we’ll generate a thorough report. We want to do everything we can to raise awareness to consumers. Many people are improving their health simply by addressing their indoor air quality.”

More information about the dangers of indoor air quality issues and how to schedule an appointment with Blue Ox to check for them can be found on its website.