The Grand Portage Reservation is at the northeastern tip of Minnesota. The Air Quality Program has many ongoing projects in order to maintain healthy indoor and outdoor air. These projects include monitoring for regional haze and particulate matter, indoor air quality, invasive plant removal, public outreach, environmental education, alternative energy, and climate change.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality

Now that winter is here most of us are trying to find ways to keep our heating bills down, but many people are unaware of the mold issues that can arise from trying to save money on heat.

Often I see people hanging heavy drapes or blankets over windows to block heat loss. While this does stop some heat, the moisture in the room goes right through the blanket and condenses on the cold surface of the window. This creates an ideal habitat for mold growth. A much better solution for window insulation are the plastic window film kits. The plastic stops the moisture from getting to the window, and generally the plastic will stay above the dew point temperature so little condensation will form.

I have also seen people detach the dryer hose from the outlet to keep the heat indoors. This practice leads to far too much humidity in the home, which will find a cold surface to condense on and lead to mold growth. It seems a shame to blow heat outdoors, but mold can cause serious health issues and can be difficult to eradicate.

If you would like more information on saving energy while improving indoor air call me at 475-2415 ext. 35 or stop by my office at Trust Lands, 27 Store Road.

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