Understanding Indoor Air Quality During Winter

As winter tightens its grip, homeowners often seal their residences to keep the cold at bay. While this practice conserves heat, it can inadvertently compromise indoor air quality, leading to discomfort and potential health issues. Understanding the challenges and implementing effective strategies can ensure your home's air remains fresh and healthy throughout the colder months.

Understanding the Winter Air Quality Challenge

During winter, increased use of heating systems and reduced ventilation can lead to a buildup of indoor pollutants. Common culprits include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from household products. Exposure to these pollutants may cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues, often referred to as "sick building syndrome."

Effective Strategies to Enhance Indoor Air Quality

1. Regular Ventilation: Even in cold weather, it's essential to allow fresh air to circulate. Briefly opening windows or doors can help disperse indoor pollutants. Utilizing exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms further aids in expelling contaminants. 

2. Maintain Optimal Humidity Levels: Aim to keep indoor humidity around 50%. Excess moisture fosters mold growth, while overly dry air can irritate respiratory passages. Using humidifiers or dehumidifiers as needed can help maintain this balance.

3. Regular HVAC Maintenance: Ensure your heating system is serviced annually. Clean or replace filters every 1-3 months to prevent dust and allergen accumulation. Consider having your air ducts inspected and cleaned to remove any built-up debris that could circulate throughout your home.

4. Consider Using Air Purifiers: Air purifiers can be a powerful tool in maintaining indoor air quality during winter. Look for models equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are designed to capture small particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Many purifiers also include activated carbon filters to remove odors and VOCs from the air. Placing a purifier in frequently used spaces, like the living room or bedroom, can significantly reduce airborne pollutants and help create a healthier home environment.

5. Incorporate Indoor Plants: Certain houseplants can naturally purify indoor air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen. Plants like sansevieria (snake plant) are known for their air-cleaning properties and can be a beneficial addition to your home with very low maintenance needs.

6. Use Natural Cleaning Products: Traditional cleaning agents can emit VOCs, degrading air quality. Opt for natural or eco-friendly cleaners to minimize chemical exposure. Additionally, store chemicals safely and ensure proper ventilation when using them.

7. Monitor for Radon and Carbon Monoxide: Install detectors to monitor levels of these colorless, odorless gases. Regularly test and maintain these devices to ensure they function correctly, safeguarding your household from potential hazards.

8. Keep Your Home Clean: Regular dusting and vacuuming can significantly reduce indoor pollutants. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter ensures that dust and allergens are effectively captured and not redistributed into the air.

9. Be Cautious with Scented Products: Air fresheners and scented candles can emit VOCs. Opt for unscented or naturally scented alternatives, and ensure proper ventilation when using them.

By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a healthy indoor environment during the winter months, ensuring that your home remains comfortable and safe.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Inspiration for Creating the Basement of Your Dreams

Last week we talked a little bit about the logistics of a basement remodel, so now it’s time to have some fun. A basement is a big, open space that can be transformed into a quiet sanctuary or a spectacular play place for everyone to enjoy. All you need is a little imagination to create an exciting space for everyone in the family to look forward to coming home to. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

Games Galore

The Gamers

Traditional rec rooms conjure up images of big screen TV’s for movie nights and some serious video game competition. These are fantastic ways to make the most of a winter day, but I also like the idea of keeping active with Wii Sports or enjoying some downtime without a screen. The ideal game room should have a mix of digital entertainment and old school board games, checkers, or chess that can be enjoyed by both kids and grandparents. Of course, a foosball or pool table makes for great family fun all year round.

Craft Corner

The Artists

Designing a space for creative kids is a great way to allow them to explore art without making a huge mess of the house. It’s also a versatile idea that can be updated and upgraded as the young ones grow. A simple table with coloring supplies can easily be replaced with easels for the budding Picasso or even a pottery wheel for the ceramicist in training. Best of all is that art spaces don’t need a lot of fancy renovations and can be kept rawer for easy cleanup with no stress.

Party Time

The Entertainers

This one is for the adults. If your house is the go-to spot for a fun Friday night, a custom bar and entertaining area is a great way to keep the party going without spending the weekend cleaning the whole house. I’d suggest installing a kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, and mini dishwasher to keeping running up and down the stairs to a minimum. A small wine storage unit adds a sophisticated touch and be sure to design plenty of storage to keep bottles and glassware off your countertops.

Work It Out

The Fit Fam

A home gym is a great way to stay in shape all year round, but exercise equipment is bulky, unsightly, and not exactly a home design dream. Luckily, the basement is the perfect place to create a fun fitness retreat that can be enjoyed by the whole family. My own home gym occupies a good part of our basement and I can go downstairs to get my morning workout in without disrupting everyone else in the house. Plus, no one gets upset if I forget to rack the weights.

A Quiet Retreat

The Zen Masters

While most rec rooms are used for fun and festivities, many people like the idea of using the extra space as a retreat to get away from the world. With yoga and meditation rooms gaining in popularity, designing a zen space for quiet contemplation can offer huge mind and body benefits. Best of all, it can be easy to transform a dull nook into an inspiring oasis. Giant floor pillows and warm Moroccan lanterns add ambiance while candles and curtains create a warm intimacy that can help the day melt away. Up your relaxation game with an infrared sauna and you’ll be far away from the real world in no time.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only. 

Say So Long to Solar Panels with This Latest Invention

You’re probably familiar with Tesla, the luxury car company that made a name for itself by introducing solar energy cars to the market. Now, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has turned his attention to a different use for solar energy by announcing the launch of solar shingles which officially went on sale last week. So if you’ve been considering solar energy for your home but don’t like the look of massive panels stuck to your roof, this game changer might just be the solution you’re looking for.

If you know anything about Tesla cars, you know that they aren’t cheap and neither is the new solar roof. Installation on an average 1,800 square foot house will set you back more than $68,000, but Tesla estimates that over the roof’s 30-year life span, the solar shingles will generate over $88,000 in energy production. The 30% federal tax credit, known as the Solar Investment Tax Credit, will be available for the product and can be applied to the cost of the solar portion of the roof as well as the cost of the required Powerwall battery. Based on that percentage for this example, you’d be looking at a tax credit of $20,000 which, according to the company, brings you to around $40,000 in net earnings over the 30 year period.

The roof configuration is made up of both solar and non-solar panels, with Tesla recommending a 60-70% ratio of solar to non-solar units depending on the individual home. Unlike those unsightly solar panels we’ve come to accept as the best way to harness energy from the sun, solar roofs look very similar to a regular roof with both textured and smooth panel options which are approximately the same size as a regular roof shingle. Units designed to mimic the look of slate and Tuscan style terra cotta will both be launched in 2018.

But with our brutal seasons, will these new glass panels really be able to stand up to the weather? Tesla says yes and has given the product an infinity warranty based on the lifetime of the house. The panels also get the highest rating for wind, hail, and fire damage.

So when might you be able to get your hands on a solar roof? Tesla says they’ll begin installations in California starting in June, with a nationwide rollout planned to follow. While we aren’t sure when the product will be available yet in this area, I’m interested to know if it’s something homeowners here would want to know more about. Does a solar roof pique your curiosity? I’d love to know more. Message me on Facebook to tell me what you think at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.