How to improve indoor air quality
3 things that are good to know about your indoor climate
The stack effect
The stack effect is the movement of hot indoor air from the bottom level to the top floor. During the winter, cold air will enter your ground level, rise as the temperature increases, and escape through the attic or the top floor. The air escapes through small cracks and gaps in the building. Aside from any drafts in your home, you'll notice this escape of air on your utility bill. The typical home loses up to 40% of the energy used. And that's not all; air pollutants will infiltrate your home and reduce the air quality.
- It’s important to know what affects indoor air quality, including the stack effect (movement of hot air upwards), humidity, and pollutants and irritants in the air.
- Roof windows improve indoor air quality due to improved ventilation. Monitoring air quality with our VELUX Active with NETATMO kit allows you to maintain a healthy indoor climate.
- There are many health benefits to improved indoor air quality, including comfort, reduced allergen-risk, and increased productivity.
Humidity
Having the right humidity level at home is important. Between 30- 40% humidity is ideal in the winter and between 50 –60% in the summer. Dry air leaves your lips, well, dry! It can also cause static in hair and clothes. In the summer, humid air can cause problems for asthmatics and people with allergies, mainly due to the increase in dust mites. Knowing your house's humidity level is a good place from which to start upgrading your indoor climate. Avoiding high levels of humidity will ensure a better indoor environment.
Indoor air quality
Good indoor air quality may be defined as the air that is free of pollutants that cause irritation, discomfort, or ill health to occupants. Good indoor air quality has a major impact on us. High-quality indoor air can improve our mental well-being.
Roof windows will improve your indoor climate
Better air quality
To get the most out of your roof windows in terms of indoor climate, you can add VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO, which links to your VELUX electric or solar-powered roof windows. It automatically tracks air quality and temperature to keep your indoor climate fresh. It's a sensor-based ventilation system that tracks CO2 levels. VELUX electric and solar-powered roof windows also have inbuilt rain sensors which will automatically close roof windows in the event of rain.
Ventilation
The most straightforward way to get rid of harmful indoor air substances is to ventilate: opening the windows allows you to quickly solve many inconveniences. Ventilating allows excess humidity to escape. It will prevent any structural damage caused by condensation, mould, and building failures, and help avoid respiratory diseases that derive from these issues. Frequent ventilation is vital to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Adding a roof window that automatically opens and closes is an easy way to ensure proper ventilation for a healthy indoor climate.
Health benefits of fresh air in your home
Comfort: Fresh air just feels pleasant! You can immediately feel it when you enter a room.
Health: Breathing in poor indoor air can have negative health effects. House dust mites thrive in damp environments. Having good indoor air quality can reduce the risk of allergies and asthma.
Performance: High-quality indoor air can improve general well-being. It will also support your ability to concentrate. If you're working from home, remember to ventilate frequently throughout the day.
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