The Environmental Protection Agency has created the “Indoor airPlus” program (www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
It is important to note that this is a new program, for new homes that are being built today and homes that will be built in the future. Unfortunately, this program doesn't apply to the over 130 million existing homes in the United States. However, the good news is…the new guidance on how to build a healthy home, can be applied to existing homes as well.
A checklist of 37 requirements is necessary to earn the “Indoor airPlus” designation for a new home. The EZ Breathe Ventilation System fulfills seven of these requirements for new construction and also as applied to an existing home in an effort to have a “healthy home”.
"1.4 Basement/crawlspaces insulated & conditioned"
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement as it exhausts damp, contaminated air out of the space, and conditions the basement or crawlspace with upstairs conditioned air.
"2.1 Approved radon-resistant features installed"
EZ Breathe is a proven method of reducing radon levels in the home. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer death, according the American Lung Association. Radon-resistant features will keep radon from entering the home. However, in existing homes it difficult to implement these features as they are often implemented during initial construction. Therefore, in existing homes, radon is most likely entering the home. EZ Breathe captures radon at its entry point, the lowest level of the home, and exhausts it to the outside, removing the harmful gas from the home.
"4.5 Whole house ventilation system installed to meet ASHRAE 62.2- Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low Rise Residential Buildings" requirements"
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement. The national standard for ventilating homes, ASHRAE's table for determining the appropriate air flow rates for homes varies from 30 cubic feet per minute(cfm), and up to to 165 cfm for homes larger than 7500 square feet. The EZ Breathe System can be adjusted with a simple turn of the speed dial to accommodate the entire range!
"4.6 Local exhaust ventilation to outdoors for baths, kitchen, clothes dryers, central vacuum systems, etc."
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement. Exhausting moisture and contaminants at their source is the best way to ensure removal from the home. The EZ Breathe system is a ventilation appliance that rests on the floor of the lowest level in the home (basement, crawlspace, slab) and removes the water vapor, soil gases and other pollutants that naturally enter a home through this foundation. In addition, EZ Breathe can be used near any contaminant source for example: aquarium, pet area, nail salon, art studio, indoor pool, etc.
"4.8 Additional dehumidification system(s) or central HVAC dehumidification controls installed ( reccommended for warm-humid climates only)"
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement. The EZ Breathe Ventilation System dehumidifies by exhausting the humid air from the basement or crawlspace and draws the dry, conditioned air from the upper levels down to replace the humid air. The EZ Breathe does so at one-tenth the electric usage of a traditional dehumidifier.
"5.6 Exhaust fan (minimum 70 cfm, rated for continuous use) installed in garage & vented to outdoors (controls optional)"
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement. EZ Breathe has an adjustable speed fan with a capacity up to 176 cfm. Automotive exhaust, and other fumes off-gassed by a car, lawn mower, weed wacker, etc. in a garage can accumulate to dangerous levels. In addition, if the garage is attached, those fumes will naturally be drawn into the home, unless garage ventilation is provided.
"7.2 Home ventilated before occupancy OR initial ventilation instructions provided for buyer"
EZ Breathe fulfills this requirement. EZ Breathe is one of the most cost effective strategies that provide whole home ventilation. Materials inherent in the building process are extremely harmful and toxic such as formaldehyde, glue, epoxy, resin, carpet fiber, varnish, paint, etc. Exhausting those contaminants prior to occupancy is critically important. That "new home" smell is actually a dangerous "cocktail" of chemicals!
So, if you want your home to be as healthy as the best homes being built today and in the future, EZ Breathe is the best choice to help you have a healthy home!
Friday, September 9, 2011
The new EPA Indoor airPlus program
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
EZ Breathe Exhibiting at Indoor Air 2011 & The 2011 Healthy Homes Conference
Indoor Air 2011 is being held at the University of Texas in Austin, TX from June 5-11, 2011. The Conference was started in 1978 and is the Triennial signature conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate. Indoor Air moves around the globe, and was most recently held in Copenhagen (2008) & Beijing (2005).
This is an enormous opportunity for EZ Breathe to gain international exposure, as the technical program will involve over 40 hours of special forums & 600 presentations by speakers hailing from 51 different countries.
If you find yourself in the Austin, TX area during this time, stop by & visit us at booth #25.
For additional information on the show visit www.indoorair2011.org.
The 2011 National Healthy Homes Conference (NHHC) is being held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver CO. It will run from June 20-23, 2011. The NHHC is the housing industry's most comprehensive, progressive & educational forum on the issue of healthy, safe & sustainable homes. The technical programs feature industry leaders & nationally renowned speakers with multiple learning tracks that will offer over 150 diverse educational sessions.
If you want to be the "go-to" person in the field of Healthy Homes, then consider attending the NHHC. While there, come visit us at booth # 601.
For more information, visit www.healthyhomesconference.org.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
E●Z Breathe Offers a Breath of Fresh Air for Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
Home Ventilation System Provides Relief from Environmental Irritants
Asthma and allergies are at epidemic proportions this spring. Asthma, a serious life-threatening respiratory disease, affects over 20 million individuals while allergies affect as many as 40 million Americans.[1] According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the number of Americans with these two chronic conditions has at least doubled in the last twenty years. Currently, there are around 60 million people who suffer from either allergies or asthma and this number is on the rise. May is known as the peak time for seasonal allergies with pollen counts skyrocketing and sufferers seeking relief. Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month was put into effect to create awareness about these conditions and educate the public about ways minimize exposure.[2] Understanding these health risks, the E●Z Home Ventilation System, (www.ezbreathe.com) seeks to help families improve the quality of air in the homes during the month of May.
The development of asthma and allergies can be caused by several factors including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Although there is no cure at this time, asthma and allergies can be controlled through medical treatment as well as management of environmental factors. Awareness and prevention are the best defense against asthma and allergies. It is important for people to become aware of the triggers that can lead to allergy and asthma attacks and to minimize exposure to them. The most common allergy triggers include pollen, dust mites, mildew and mold, pet dander, smoke, cleaning products, and fragrances. E●Z Breathe combats all of these issues by exhausting harmful contaminants in the air and replacing it with fresh ventilated air from outside.
Studies have indicated that home intervention in the form of a ventilation system is an effective, preventative approach to asthma and allergy symptoms.[3] The E●Z Breathe Home Ventilation System improves quality of air within the home significantly, making it a safer, healthier place for the entire family. E●Z Breathe is designed to rid the home of harmful moisture and humidity, not re-circulate polluted air. E●Z Breathe ventilates by drawing moist, stale, contaminated air out of the home, replenishes by replacing moist air with fresh dry air and regulates airflow to reach and maintain a desired level of humidity.
In addition to the unpleasant effects of asthma and allergies, the costs involved are significant. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the annual cost for asthma treatment is estimated at nearly $5,000 per person.[4] The E●Z Breathe Home Ventilation System offers families the option of making a onetime investment towards their family’s health.
“It is very important for people to become aware of what pollutants are in the air that they breathe every day since these contaminants can trigger allergic reactions and/or asthma attacks” states Erika Lacroix, President of E●Z Breathe. “EZ Breathe offers a simple solution to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of illness related to indoor air pollution.”
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Come Visit us At The National Green Building Conference in Salt Lake City May 1-4, 2011
EZ Breathe will be exhibiting at the National Green Building Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The annual conference is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders and will attract builders, remodelers,architects, land planners, contractors and marketers from around the country.
Our booth # is 112.
The cost to attend the show is $95. If you would like to attend, contact Tim at EZ Breathe & we would be happy to send you a complementary ticket.
For additional information on the show, visit www.NAHB.org/GreenBuildingConference.