Indoor Air Quality Division
In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are often those most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups include the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Sinclaire Enterprises offers a full line of Indoor Air Quality Products, including; high efficiency air cleaners, HEPA filtration, Energy Recovery Ventilators, UV Lights and more. We can design and install systems that are free-standing, or are incorporated into your existing HVAC system.
Ventilation Products
If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort
problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and
constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher
pollutant levels than other homes. However, because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount
of outdoor air that enters a home, pollutants can build up even in homes that are normally considered "leaky."
US Environmental Protection Agency
Energy Recovery Ventilators allow you to bring fresh air into your home or office while recovering the energy from the removed air to save on heating and cooling costs.
Dehumidification Products
Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement
floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in
your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold
less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water
form on the inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.
There are many ways to control moisture in your home:
- Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.)
- Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
- Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well ventilated.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
- Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
- Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on
the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to
closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces.
Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat
circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
- Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological
pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be
installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete
and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
- Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South
is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems.
For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants.
In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from
running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the
different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.
US Environmental Protection Agency
We can add dehumidification systems to dry your basement, your whole home, or your place of business. Beyond keeping
your contents dry and safe from moisture, a dehumidifier can help you achieve your ideal comfort level by
reducing the relative humidity without turning the thermostat down, thus reducing air conditioner run time.
Air Cleaning Products
As reported by the US EPA, one of the three basic strategies to improve indoor air quality is the use of air
cleaners. We can offer a variety of options and products to adapt to your home or office. Systems can be designed
and installed as stand alone units or incorporated into your existing HVAC system which supply filtering efficiencies as high as
99.97% (HEPA). With our wide range of distributors, we can accommodate you with almost any product that's on the
market today.
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| Aprilaire 1700 Dehumidifier |
Aprilaire 550 Air Cleaner |
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| Aprilaire Energy Recovery Ventilator |
Ultra-Aire XT150H |
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| SantaFe dehumidifier |
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