Thinking about remodeling? You're not alone. Americans spend nearly 200 billion dollars every year on remodeling projects. Experts say the most popular home improvement projects are room additions, sprucing up the kitchen and updating the bath.
Experienced renovators know that a home improvement project can generate lots of expenses - and lots of dust. But what about the millions of Americans who are allergic to dust yet want to dig in and remodel?
Don Freels of the Ohio Chapter of the National Board of Realtors offers some tips for avoiding airborne pollutants while remodeling. "Turning on an exhaust fan and opening the windows will help vent dust. If you close the doors in the rooms you're working in and put wet towels under the doors, little or no dust will escape to the other parts of the house. Use room air cleaners to capture the rest of the airborne dust particles."
Portable air cleaners help filter out common allergens like dust and pollen. More than 250 models have been certified and had their performance tested through the Clean Air Delivery Rate Program. You can choose an appropriate air cleaner by locating the CADR label on the models you are considering and comparing that information to the size of the room you want to clean.
The CADR testing program was developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers in 1988. This industry certification program has gone through peer review in both the scientific and public-health communities and has been recognized by the FTC and EPA.
Currently, 18 manufacturers participate in the program and comply with AHAM packaging regulations and requirements in the AHAM certification program. All tests are conducted at an independent lab to verify the manufacturer performance claims.
For more than 35 years, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has helped educate consumers on the benefits of certified products.
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