Energy Efficiency in the Winter

With winter usually comes a large electricity bill and, more than likely, an even larger gas bill (this I know from experience!). Here are some tips that can help you become more energy efficient:

1. Try to use EPA-approved Energy Star products. Energy Star rated units can help you save hundreds per year, and they help reduce gas emissions!


2. Seal up your home! By closing up holes, cracks, and openings, you can refrain from using more heat than you need. However, by sealing up your home, you are preventing air circulation. As a result, you might need an air purifier to keep the air flowing.


3. Be wise about heating and use a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats let you customize when the heater turns on/off and how high you want the temperature to go! Best of all, there are many that are Energy Star approved and can save you even more money!


4. Rachael McAdams made a great point when she told Conan O'Brien that she turns off all appliances and even unplugs them when they are not in use. It may be wise to follow her example because this not only helps reduce your energy bill (because I really don't think you need your computer on 24/7!), but it also helps the environment. Many people don't know that many appliances use energy even when they are switched off but not unplugged!

Mold Growth During the Winter

I always thought that mold only grew in houses during the summertime due to high humidity, but it turns out I was wrong! Mold does indeed also grow during the wintertime. During the warmer months, mold usually grows on floors or flat surfaces that are too wet or humid. However, during the colder months, mold is usually found as a result of leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, damp floors, and excessive flooding. Here are some tips to help prevent mold, or to tackle a mold problem you might have right now:

- When you find water damage in your home, whether it is a leaky roof or a plumbing problem, make sure you keep the area dry right after you clean it. It's crucial to keep the area dry; otherwise, you will be facing some serious mold growth.

- If you already find mold, wear a mask, some rubber gloves, and eye goggles before start cleaning. After you're done, make sure you clean your clothing with soap or detergent in hot water. Throw away all sponges or washcloths that you may have used. Then, make sure to dry the area completely with a fan or a dehumidifier. Drying moldy areas can take anywhere from days to weeks, so be patient.

- Use an air purifier that has a HEPA filter or a UV light to prevent mold from reproducing and to keep your air feeling and smelling fresh at all times.

Keep It Clean!

Two months of summer have already come and gone, yet it seems like the symptoms of winter and spring are still present. Allergies usually last throughout the year, but only because we let them. Allergens and pollutants remain airborne, causing allergic reactions and even asthma attacks! An easy solution to this problem is an air purifier. Most air purifiers, also known as air cleaners, can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles, leaving you fresh, clean air to breathe.

Air purifiers feature many different types of technologies that target different types of particles to capture as many airborne particles as they can. Purifiers can feature up to seven forms of technology for maximum efficiency. One of the most common features is HEPA technology, which is most efficient for capturing smaller, finer particles, such as pet dander and dust mites. The best feature of HEPA air purifiers is the silence - on silent mode, these air purifiers barely make a sound. Air cleaners like the AllerAir AA-4000ExecUV use UV light to destroy bacteria, viruses and microorganisms by damaging their DNA and prohibiting them to reproduce. The AirSoPure MS-980 features photo catalytic oxidation technology, which uses UV intensity 10,000 times stronger than comparable sunlight! On the other hand, the IQAir HealthPro Plus uses an activated carbon filter to trap gases and eliminate odors. Ionizers are similar to activated carbon, but ionizers use negative ions to remove dust particles in the air rather than use a filter to capture the gas and odor particles. From these different types of technologies, air purifiers are able to remove allergens such as pet dander, mold spores, pollen and dust from the air. This helps prevent sickness and asthma attacks, as these pollutants are common asthmatic triggers.

No matter how large your room is, there is an air purifier out there for you! Many air purifiers can cover up to 900 square feet at the very least - some, like the Biozone BI-2000, can cover up to 2000 square feet! That can cover large offices, commercial spaces and even a whole house!

Don't miss out on clean, healthy air - start using an air purifier today!