The Great Indoors

Ramona Madhosingh-Hector  
Urban Sustainability Agent  

The weather is warming up and we’re more inclined to head outdoors but don’t forget that it’s time to do some indoor work too! As we plan our spring-cleaning adventures in and around our homes, here are a few things to consider -

Declutter your Home
We have so many “things” in our homes and we’re often running from activity to activity that oftentimes we don’t have enough time to dedicate to organizing our homes. For many of us, spring energizes us and we’re more likely to declutter our homes by sorting closets and kitchens. I like to use the following rules when re-organizing -

• If I haven’t used it in 6 months, do I really need it?


• If I keep it, will I use it in 6 months?


• If I don’t want it, will someone else be able to use this item?

This translates easily into the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce your unwanted items by donating where possible. Reuse old clothes by turning it into dusting cloths or drop cloths for painting jobs around the home. Recycle old electronics and kitchen appliances. Together these actions will help to lighten your home’s carbon footprint.

Household Cleaning
No spring-cleaning event is complete without the use of some cleaning agent. For a “green” spring cleaning event, consider switching to a green cleaner or making your own cleaners to use around the home. Vinegar and baking soda work wonders in your bathrooms, kitchens and laundry! Natural cleaners do not introduce toxic fumes in your home and, for those of us with allergies, that’s an added bonus. Check out this link on how to make household cleaners.

Go Paperless
As you organize your homes, consider organizing your electronic life as well. Sign up for online banking and bill pay to reduce the amount of paper you receive. Also, if you have the latest e-reader gizmo, consider switching your magazine subscriptions to an electronic format. Don’t forget to remove yourself from mailings that you are no longer interested in! If you have books lying around the house that you’ve already read, donate it to a library or see if you can do a book-swap with your neighbors.

Indoor Air Quality
During the winter months, our homes are kept tightly sealed to conserve warmth but as the weather changes, it’s a good time to promote air exchanges before we head towards the warm summer months. Frequent air exchanges lead to humidity problems so be sure that you check humidity levels before beginning natural ventilation. Check out this article for more great information on indoor air quality and do’s and don’ts when ventilating.

Landscape
Don’t forget that your landscape also needs cleaning. Check out this recent blog on how to do just that!

Good luck and have fun spring-cleaning your home!


Resources:
Indoor Air Quality
Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs
Where to recycle in Pinellas County?
Yellow Page Opt Out
Green Seal Products
Green Guard

What’s in the Air?

By: Vestina Crayton, Extension Specialist

Controlling the source of the problem is the best defense against poor indoor air quality. Maggie Murphy, Environmental Specialist II with Pinellas County’s Department of Health has identified the top ten sources that can be controlled to optimize your indoor air environment.

Here’s five of the top ten:
1. Don’t allow smoking indoors – According to the US EPA second hand smoke also known as environmental tobacco smoke ETS) can cause lung cancer and heart disease.

2. Install a carbon monoxide detector- Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas, it is important to install a detector to monitor the levels of carbon monoxide. Gas stoves and exhaust from automobiles stored in an attached garage are sources of carbon monoxide.

3. Test for Radon- US EPA and the Surgeon General recommends that homeowners have their homes tested for radon. Second to first hand smoking, radon is a leading cause of lung cancer.

4. Control Moisture- Identify and fix all leaks. Hot and humid climates are the perfect environment for mold growth, dust mites and other pollutants. Keeping the relative humidity indoors between 30% and 55% is recommended.

5. Maintain Pets- Along with giving lots of love, our furry friends shed fur and release dander that contains allergens. These allergens can cause symptoms that range from sneezing to eczema.

To see the remaining five and to learn more, click here to hear the full presentation “Breathe Easy - Top Ten Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality” by Maggie Murphy, Environmental Specialist II, with the Pinellas County Department of Health.

References
florida’shealth.com
Indoor Air Quality in Florida series
US Environmental Protection Agency

How To: Save Money, Go Green I: Air Conditioning

James Stevenson, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

The summer air is buzzing with the sound of cicadas, signaling that we are well-into the sultry days. The air is also buzzing with the sound of a million air conditioning units, doing their best to keep us cool and collected in our homes and businesses.

It should be no surprise that in Florida air conditioning (AC) consumes more energy than any other electrical appliance. In fact, AC accounts for 40% of your monthly energy bill.

Would you like to see your energy bill shrink? There are three ways to cut costs that are easy, affordable and can make a BIG difference.

Start by making sure your AC unit is working at its utmost efficiency level. An annual inspection and cleaning of both the indoor (air handler) coil and outdoor (condenser) coil. Dirt and debris make these gizmos work harder and draw on more energy.

Check your refrigerant charge. The “blood” of your system has to be maintained at a certain pressure. Higher or lower can cause problems (this requires a professional inspection.)

Reduce the cooling load to the structure by providing shade or drawing blinds on east and west-facing windows.

Don’t invite trouble! Keep doors and windows shut tightly.

Use ceiling fans, but use them wisely. In summer ceiling fans work best when operated in a counter-clockwise rotating position. Ceiling fans work by making inhabitants FEEL cooler. They do not actually COOL a room; only run them when the room is occupied. In fact, ceiling fans can make the room feel 4 degrees F cooler.

Consider upping the setting on your system. 76 degrees F is the “sweet-spot” where the most energy is conserved, comfort is not sacrificed and mold/mildew is not encouraged.

Finally, consider installing a programmable thermostat. These inexpensive devices can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Simple to use, you can control the times of operation with as many settings as you wish (depending on the model.) We recommend using a model that has been certified by Energy Star® as evidenced by carrying its distinctive logo.

OK, here is your list of things-to-do, we will be contacting you in a month’s time to see if you made any of these changes in your home/office. Everyone saving just a little energy will add-up to a huge impact now and for the future. But in the meantime, you might just like those few extra dollars in your pocket!!

Keeping Your Family Healthy Room by Room

Vestina F. Crayton, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability.

Your family’s health is a top priority for most. One way to keep your family healthy is by understanding and managing the sources that affect their indoor air quality. Since the average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, it is important to take a closer look at the areas or items that may compromise the quality of your indoor air environment. Depending on the level of exposure to certain indoor air pollutants, acute or chronic health concerns can occur that may range from mild eye irritation to death. Research has shown that air pollutants indoors can be greater than those found outdoors.

This chart highlights some of the common indoor air pollutants, associated health effects and control measures (reactions vary from person to person)

Indoor Air Pollutant	Health Impacts	Control Measures
Mold	Sneezing, Coughing, Asthma	Keep house cool, dry and clean
Carbon Monoxide	Symptoms similar to flu: nausea dizziness; brain damage	Install a CO alarm
Lead	Slows physical, behavioral, and learning development	If your house was built in 1978 or earlier have it tested by a professional
Radon Gas	Lung Cancer	Have house tested Call 1-800-SOS-Radon
Asbestos	High levels can cause lung problems	Consult a professional for testing, repair and removal
Tobacco Smoking	Second hand smoke increase the risk of disease and death in children and non-smokers	Eliminate or reduce exposure
Formaldehyde	Watery, burning eyes, breathing problems	Eliminate or reduce exposure to pressed-wood products
Volatile Organic Compounds	Dizziness nausea; neurological and reproductive disorders	Follow the instructions on proper use and store appropriately
Pesticides	Dizziness nausea; neurological and reproductive disorders	Follow the instructions on proper use and store appropriately

Take a tour through the US Environmental Protection Agency virtual home to learn about some of the most common sources of indoor air pollutants.

If you would like to test the levels of indoor air pollutants in your home, contact your local health department.

For more in-depth information about how to minimize indoor air toxins to create a healthier indoor environment, Pinellas County Extension will be offering a Healthy, Home, Healthy Family seminar September 12, 2009. Please check back for more details and to register at Pinellas County Extension.

References

Hyun-Jeong Lee, Audrey Norman, “My Florida Home Book 2.2: Keeping Your Home Healthy”FCS3294

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Web site