Healthy and Efficient Homes

On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, so indoor air quality is critical to the health of families. Through the new Healthy and Efficient Homes campaign, the American Lung Association is promoting practical short- and long term solutions to the health risk of indoor air pollution from gas, propane, oil and wood-burning appliances.

How to Protect Your Health

If you rely on combustion appliances for heating, hot water and/or cooking, there are some immediate steps you can take to reduce your risk from exposure to harmful pollutants: 

• Make sure your gas appliances are in proper working order. 
• Install carbon monoxide monitors. 
• Use ventilation, either a range hood that vents to the outside or an open window or both. 
• For homes that rely on wood burning for heat or cooking, an air cleaning devise that uses HEPA filtration can provide some protection from the soot and smoke.

Working for Practical Solutions

Federal, state and local government entities can take steps to reduce building emissions, improve air quality and advance energy efficiency and climate goals: 

• Increase appliance efficiency and safety standards, including setting zero-emission appliance standards.
• Establish building codes and building performance standards for ventilation, energy efficiency and reduced direct emissions. 
• Expand incentive programs for the purchase and installation of cleaner more efficient appliances, with a focus on equity. 
• Eliminate industry subsidies for expansion of gas lines into new communities. 
• Transition to healthy, all-electric construction in new buildings and major renovations.