In last month's blog, we discussed ventilation and the three methods for bringing fresh air into the home. You can read that blog HERE. At the end of the article, a comment was made about the recent ventilation code updates in Nashville-Davidson County, which stated: new homes are now required for the first time to be equipped with either a supply-only or a balanced mechanical ventilation system.

That statement needs to be corrected and clarified.

January is Radon Awareness Month. Although radon is probably the most popular indoor air contaminant, there are others we should be aware of. Particulates from mold, dust, dander, and pollen as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and combustion gasses are often found inside our homes. Exposure to indoor air contaminants is inevitable, but proper ventilation can help reduce our exposure and help homeowners in Nashville, TN create healthier homes. 

Have you noticed condensation on your windows lately? What does this mean? If you see condensation, you likely have high humidity levels in your home. Condensation can accumulate particularly in the kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, or in bedrooms with adjoining bathroom. The cause? Insufficient ventilation. It’s important to address high humidity or those subtle warning signs of condensation can turn into expensive repairs.

When we see the buildup of air pollution over the city, we are reminded that the outdoor air may not be as fresh as we think. Have you ever wondered how your indoor air compares to the outdoors? Which one is actually “fresher?” Some studies have shown that indoor air contaminants can be as high or higher than outdoor air in large cities! Clean air is an essential component of health, just like nutritious food, clean water, and regular exercise. So, how clean is the air inside your home and could it be affecting your health?

Winter is in full swing. Frosty days and frigid nights bring most of life’s activities indoors where we spend nearly 90% of our time during the winter. This makes indoor air quality (IAQ) a hot topic during these cold months! Good IAQ is important because it protects our health, while poor IAQ can cause a host of ill-effects, including asthma, allergies, headaches, dizziness, and even poor sleep to name a few.