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Air Quality, Featured

Humidity and an Indoor Moisture Inventory

Humidity and an Indoor Moisture Inventory It is our core purpose at HypoAir to help you bring what’s best about outdoor air, indoors.  Replicating outdoor air indoors, though, isn’t always easy.  Sometimes outdoor air can be overwhelmingly humid, supporting all kinds of mold and bacterial growth on surfaces.  There are differing opinions on optimal indoor
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Featured, Natural Home

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Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)

Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)Sometimes with natural disasters and “acts of God” I wonder, was this happening before with the same frequency/intensity while I wasn’t paying attention, or are they really becoming worse?  Hurricanes. Winter storms. Earthquakes. and…Corona Mass Ejections (CMEs).   This “corona” event
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Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)

Air Quality, Featured

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Plants as Air Purifiers?

Plants as Air Purifiers?IF you lived in a sealed environment like a spaceship or biodome, then plants could be extremely helpful in reducing harmful VOCs (check out NASA’s BioHome).  Since most of us live in a much more dynamic environment with many air leaks, entrances and exits, a new study calculates you would need a
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Plants as Air Purifiers?
Air Quality, Natural Home

How does indoor air pressure affect ventilation and air quality?

How does indoor air pressure affect ventilation and air quality?If you’ve read

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May 23, 2022

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Passive Ventilation versus Controlled Ventilation: our recommendations

Passive Ventilation versus Controlled Ventilation: our recommendationsIt may sound like a drippy register, but “trickle vents” are a type of passive ventilation designed to provide “background ventilation” and remove condensation from a house.  In the UK and Europe, trickle vents are frequently offered on new window frames and have options for retrofitting them into existing …
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May 19, 2022

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Air Quality Myths–debunked!

Air Quality Myths–debunked!Don’t worry, at HypoAir we’re learning everyday too.  Whether the myth comes from the media, or your family, or just what you assume happens, many of the things we believe about air quality–are not true!  Let’s dive in and get to the bottom of these myths…My old, leaky house has better air quality …
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May 11, 2022

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Would you rent or subscribe for clean air?

Would you rent or subscribe forclean air?Ok, I’ve heard of all kinds of rentals and subscription plans. But, air is public domain, right?  How on earth does such a subscription get delivered?  Certain companies have air purifier machines that can be rented by the day or week, etc., which can be really helpful if you …
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May 10, 2022

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How to live with minimal AC and maximum ventilation

How to live with minimal AC and maximum ventilationFor decades (five to be exact), home design focus has been on sealing homes in order to reduce energy costs of heating and cooling.  Such energy efficiency has come at a price of air quality, because unlike, say, water, air cannot be “recycled” over and over without …
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May 9, 2022

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Increasing our bodies’ resistance to mold–naturally

Increasing our bodies’ resistance to mold–naturallyThere’s no “silver bullet”, but regarding exposure to mold, there’s a lot we can control, like humidity, water leaks that can be stopped and remediated, air purifiers, etc. Sometimes, though, there are things we just can’t control, like having a new work assignment in a moldy area, or having a …
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April 28, 2022

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Should I Clean my HVAC Ducts?

Should I Clean my HVAC Ducts?We all want to have clean rooms, windows, and nice fresh paint and decor.  But what about those spaces behind the walls and ceilings, like the HVAC ducts?  You would think that accumulated dust in HVAC ducts would be a major health concern.  Surprisingly….in most cases it isn’t.There is a …
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April 27, 2022

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Window AC units need (Deep) Spring Cleaning too!

Window AC units need (Deep) Spring Cleaning too!We still have cool evenings in the eastern US as I’m writing this (late April), but the days are heating up quickly.  My parents and I have central air conditioning in our homes, but their workshop has a window unit.  It’s an older unit, still very good at …
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April 20, 2022

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Carpet Care: How to get a Non-Toxic Refresh

Carpet Care: How to get a Non-Toxic RefreshThis is not a fear campaign, I promise!   I just want to give some facts on carpeting before we get down to how to keep it in your house.  The first three facts of the following  are from forceofnature.com, a trusted non-toxic cleaning product we recommend. The California …
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April 14, 2022

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Taking our Homes Back from Mold

Taking our Homes Back from MoldWhy is it that our grandparents rarely had issues with mold toxicity?  Our homes became more toxic after 1973 (oil embargo and energy crisis), due to building regulations aimed at saving energy.  Reducing outside air exchanges with our home saves energy, but it seals toxins in and also increases mold …
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April 11, 2022

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Cozying up to Smart Vents

Cozying up to Smart VentsI’ve stockpiled blankets in the downstairs bedroom closets for years.  Every winter, I layer them on beds and apologize profusely to guests, explaining that my ventilation system can’t keep the downstairs and upstairs temperatures evenly warm, and in the summer evenly cool.  It’s very frustrating to have to overheat or overcool …
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April 6, 2022

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Renovation Nation: what is the toxic cost?

Renovation Nation: what is the toxic cost?We are suckers for new countertops and open-plan architecture, and TV shows sometimes make it look oh-so-easy to do yourself!  Renovations come with a toxic cost, however, when you consider the materials you are removing and the new ones that get installed.  We hope you take these into consideration …
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April 5, 2022

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Low-E window films: The “fixer-upper” for old(er) windows!

Low-E Window Films: the “fixer-upper” for old(er) windows!As a former resident of New Orleans and renovation show connoisseur, I appreciate old windows.  Before there were vinyl windows and double-glazing, there were wood frames with lead weights integrated into the walls to counterbalance the heavy weight of the window, to keep them positioned while open.  Brilliant!What’s …
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April 4, 2022

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The double edges of the “wonder material” Graphene in water and air filtration, food processing and drug delivery

The double edges of the “wonder material” Graphene in water and air filtration, food processing and drug deliveryGraphene has grabbed a lot of attention lately, being termed a “wonder material” because of its unique properties.  Some of these are (graphene-info.com):The thinnest material known to manApproximately 200 times stronger than steelExcellent heat and energy conductorLight absorption …
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March 31, 2022

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Silver and Copper: Age-Old Antimicrobials

Silver and Copper: Age-Old AntimicrobialsSilver and copper have been used for millennia as antimicrobial elements in cooking, healing and storage in homes.  There are certain elements that give credence to health claims, and silver and copper are two of them.  Let’s dig into the “why?”!Silver has long been considered an anti-microbial because of the way …
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March 24, 2022

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How to deal with body odor, with a focus on charcoal!

How to deal with body odor, with a focus on charcoal!True (but embarrassing) story:One day while renovating a gutted house in post-Katrina New Orleans, I stood in the checkout line at a home-improvement store with only a pipe about 4” long in my hand.  Suddenly I was aware of an odor.  What is that stink? …
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March 24, 2022

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Which light bulbs are most like natural daylight?

Which light bulbs are most like natural daylight?The quote by Ben Hogan, “All a golfer needs is more daylight” could be said the same of an artist!  As an oil painter, I am frequently disappointed when sunlight starts to fade and I must put up the brushes for the night, because working with artificial light …
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March 23, 2022

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Home automation makes for a healthier home

Home automation makes for a healthier homeConfession: I have not made it a priority to automate my home via smart technology.  Being an artist, I tend to allocate my budget more for aesthetics, like a nicer couch or new faucets.  There are some devices in which I’m not remotely interested, like a smart toilet (TMI …
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March 14, 2022

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What non-toxic multipurpose spray cleaners really work?

What non-toxic multipurpose spray cleaners really work?If it wasn’t on your mind before 2020, it most likely is now…. is it CLEAN?  Many people wonder before touching surfaces, outside and inside the home.   The solutions for  “concern” over cleanliness are also being absorbed into our skin, drying out our skin, being inhaled into our lungs, …
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March 10, 2022

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Wildfire Smoke: Not just for California anymore

Wildfire Smoke: Not just for California anymoreHistorically most wildfires happened between May and October, and USDA Forest Service employees were traditionally trained knowing that the four months of June, July, August and September have the worst risk.  However, now the Forest Service is shifting to the concept of a fire year.  Because winter snows are …
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March 10, 2022

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HVAC filter changes are vital to your indoor air quality!

HVAC filter changes are vital to your indoor air quality!It can be a little confusing.  Some people call them furnace filters, some call them AC filters, but they are the same!  Your HVAC system uses one filter, and it was originally designed to protect the working parts of the HVAC from damage and reduced efficiency.  …
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March 8, 2022

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It’s the Season…to stand strong against allergens!

It’s the Season…to stand strong against allergens!Just like the song (and the Bible verses that inspired it): For everything, there is a season.  In this case, there is a perfect time in nature to send out pollen, make flowers, plants and fruit, send more rain, make mold, dry out the ground (make dust), and send …
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March 7, 2022

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Termiticides: Safe for Indoor Use?

Termiticides: Safe for Indoor Use?Termites are tough buggers.  Having lived in New Orleans for 10+years, it is hard to understand how any wooden structures are still standing, considering that the city is the perfect climate for them: hot and humid!  I learned without any formal research that the Formosan species of termites does not need …
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March 4, 2022

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Indoor Pesticides–why you should get rid of Raid!

Indoor Pesticides–why you should get rid of Raid!Confession: I carried the rascals in!  While preparing to move from my last home, I looked at the price of cardboard boxes and said to myself, this is a big city.  Someone else just moved here, so why not ask for their boxes?  Craigslist had several postings a …
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March 1, 2022

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Ewww! How can I get rid of that smell?

Ewww! How can I get rid of that smell?Hopefully you’ve read our first post about smell, “Why does that smell make me happy? Or sad”  because it gives some background about how our sense of smell affects the rest of our body.  I mentioned some good smells like peppermint and eucalyptus oil, but of course …
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February 23, 2022

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What is Sick Building Syndrome?

What is Sick Building Syndrome?According to the EPA, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.  If a specific illness or cause is identified …
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February 23, 2022

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Why does that smell make me happy? or sad 🙁

Why does that smell make me happy?  or sad 🙁Here are some facts you may or may not know about your sense of smell:“Taste” is mainly dependent (80%) on smell.  If you eat something while pinching your nose, you will not get the full “taste”.  The only tastes that persist without smell are sweet, salty, …
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February 23, 2022

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Clutter is not just annoying (it affects our health!)

Clutter is not just annoying (it affects our health!)Last week our team at HypoAir discussed what images come to mind for a fresh, clean home.  Almost immediately I had to say: “clutter-free!”  I am also an artist exhibiting in a local shop, and I have a deadline at the end of each month to have …
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February 18, 2022

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What’s the deal with those big ceiling fans?

What’s the deal with those big ceiling fans?You may remember when Big Ass Fans appeared on the market years ago…of course the name grabbed attention, as the company was one of the first to offer industrial-size fans for the home. We’re talking about HVLS fans.  HVLS stands for High Volume Low Speed.  HVLS fans have a …
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February 16, 2022

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How does my home’s lighting influence my health?

How does my home’s lighting influence my health?Lighting has important psychological effects on us as human beings, from when we wake up til the time we go to bed.  Examining the three characteristics of light, brightness, saturation and hue, helps to better understand what is going on. Brightness  (scientifically called luminance) is important when you think …
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February 16, 2022

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The Matrix of Mattresses

The Matrix of MattressesMattresses are quite a broad subject; no wonder it can seem overwhelming when shopping for one!   When you decide to replace your mattress, there are a number of factors that ergonomically narrow your choices (ie. being a side sleeper vs. a back sleeper, being a petite vs. heavy person, preferring soft …
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February 16, 2022

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Adding fresh-air ventilation through your HVAC system

Adding fresh-air ventilation through your HVAC systemHow can you get that “fresh air” feeling in your home if bringing in outside air means bringing in the cold or humidity?In order to improve IAQ, the EPA recommends that homes receive “0.35 air changes per hour but not less than 15 cubic feet of air per minute …
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February 16, 2022

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Air Quality inside your car

Air Quality inside your carAhh, I remember my days of commuting to work in northern Virginia…with NPR and a cup of coffee for 45-50 minutes, the little cabin of my Ford Ranger hugged around me like a safety blanket against the traffic and elements.  For many commuters, their car is a sanctuary of control, from …
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February 16, 2022

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Are there any virus-detecting air sensors-out-there?

Are there any virus-detecting air sensors out there?This is the stuff of movies: virulent strain of pandemic arrives and infiltrates everywhere except the safehouse, where a super-sophisticated detection system alerts the ventilation to shut down with sealed doors and pinpoints the germ(s), trapping them in a sticky filter and eradicating them with a non-toxic (to …
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February 10, 2022

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Hypoallergenic Hotel Suites?

Hypoallergenic Hotel Suites?During my peak travel days in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, there were only 2 options of hotel rooms: smoking and non-smoking.  If I walked into my room and detected smoke, of course I could go back to the desk and ask for a smoke-free room.  For those who suffer with allergies, however, …
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February 7, 2022

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Why Wear My Sunglasses at Night?

Why wear my sunglasses at night?More people are sporting yellow-tinged glasses indoors.  They’re not rock stars.  Those “in the know” have discovered that some types of artificial light, specifically “cool” or “bright white” lamps, emit more UV radiation than others, which can be a cause of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  This Australian study …
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February 4, 2022

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Plants as Air Purifiers?

Plants as Air Purifiers?IF you lived in a sealed environment like a spaceship or biodome, then plants could be extremely helpful in reducing harmful VOCs (check out NASA’s BioHome).  Since most of us live in a much more dynamic environment with many air leaks, entrances and exits, a new study calculates you would need a …
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February 4, 2022

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Bedding for Better Sleep

Bedding for better sleepAh, there’s nothing like laying down on clean, soft sheets.  It goes beyond the feeling, though, because cleanliness and material of our bedsheets really do make a difference in our sleep! A 2012 study by the US National Sleep Foundation found that 73% of us sleep better on fresh (clean) sheets.  How often …
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February 4, 2022

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Maximizing Your Sleep

Maximizing Your SleepFor many of us, sleep is the “margin” in our day; everyone and everything that needs more time usually sucks it out of our sleep time.  It’s not supposed to be that way, but until you can put a lock on your sleep time, there are ways to maximize the hours you do …
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Our Technologies 

We have two primary proprietary technologies that provide the most powerful protection available.  Air quality is complex.  No single technology or product is optimal for every situation or contaminant type (despite what some may claim).  Our current array of products utilize various combinations of technologies depending on the application. These technologies allow our products to far out perform all of our competitors.  Most don't even claim to do what our technologies have been proven to accomplish.  Find out more what makes us different, effective, and safe. 

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