Spring break season has officially begun. For many people, this is a time to travel and take a break from work, school, or both. Unfortunately for asthma- and allergy-sufferers, spring break isn’t exactly a break. In fact, traveling with allergies and asthma can prove to be hard work. Luckily, there are multiple mobile phone apps available to make traveling with allergies and asthma a little easier: Read more about mobile phone apps that can make traveling with allergies and asthma a little easier
Like most people, I am always looking for ways to save money, take advantage of tax rebates, and be a better global citizen. Recently, I found this awesome website that is filled with advice, information, and resources for helping make your home more energy efficient. EnergySavvy.com is a comprehensive website created to help people find the answers they are looking for regarding home energy use. Read more about how EnergySavvy.com can help you
Your pet isn’t just a potential source for allergies — in fact, your furry friend might be an allergy- sufferer as well. If your pet scratches or sheds incessantly, vomits, or has chronic respiratory problems, he or she may have an allergy.
Most people, especially those of us allergy- and asthma-sufferers out there, know that air purifiers can filter and cleanse the air in your home to provide much-needed relief from pollen, dust, ragweed, pet dander, chemical odors, and other airborne particles. But did you know that new air purifier models like the Germ Guardian AC6000 Hygia 6.0 offer even more benefits than traditional air purifiers? Furthermore, with all of the air purifier models available today, do you know how to choose the right one for you? Find out more about germicidal air purifiers and get answers to your air purifier questions
With a home occupied by two dogs, carpet, and loads of potential allergy triggers, I am always on the lookout for a great vacuum. For their March issue, Consumer Reports tested and rated 67 different vacuum cleaners. Two upright vacuum cleaners offered by Sylvane were chosen as CR Best Buys and an Electrolux canister vacuum ranked among the top five for canister vacuum cleaners.
Vacuums were compared and ranked among similar models based on price, weight, replacement bag costs, and overall score. The ratings also figured in test results based on carpet cleaning, bare floor cleaning, total airflow, noise, emissions, handling, and pet hair removal. Learn more about top-rated vacuums from Sylvane
Finding ways to protect and preserve our environment seems to be on everyone’s minds these days. So, if you’re searching for new ideas to add to your green routine or just feel like you aren’t doing enough, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pick 5 for the Environment program.
Pick 5 encourages people to commit to five actions that promote conservation of the environment. The EPA provides a list of ten actions to help you choose your five. These actions range from using less water to eCycling. If after scanning the list, you’re still feeling stumped, Sylvane can help. Here are a few suggestions that help conserve the outdoor environment by treating problems in your indoor environment. Read more about ways that Sylvane can help you do your part for the environment
Cockroaches. They’re creepy, crawly — and a leading cause of allergies and asthma!
Cockroach allergens are found in the feces, saliva, and body parts of the insects. They cause allergy symptoms, such as irritated skin, itchy eyes and nose, scratchy throat, and can exacerbate asthma conditions. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, there is a correlation between exposure to cockroach allergens and the development of asthma in children. Read more about controlling cockroach allergy symptoms and asthma
Maintaining an optimal climate in museum collections can be extremely tricky. Everything from the general climate of the region to types of items in the collection to the comfort of museum visitors and employees must be taken into account. Relative humidity is one key consideration.
According to an article by the Northern States Conservation Center that addresses temperature and relative humidity levels for museum objects, “there is no single relative humidity range that is ideal for all museum objects.” However, NSCC does recommend maintaining a non-fluctuating relative humidity (RH) above 25% and below 65% for mixed collections — noting that many museums maintain an RH of 45%.
Keeping a consistent relative humidity is crucial, as an RH below 25% “can cause embrittlement of hygroscopic materials such as leather and paper,” and an RH above 25% can lead to mold growth and metal corrosion. Read more about controlling humidity in museums
Once used primarily as sources of light, candles are a staple in most of today’s homes. They can be used to create ambiance in a room, to add fragrance, and to add soft lighting to a space. However, did you know that these symbols of serenity could actually be damaging your indoor air?
The National Candle Association reports that U.S. retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $2 billion annually. With candle sales and usage growing, it’s no wonder that consumers and indoor air quality experts have started studying the effects of burning candles. Read more about the impact of candle-burning
For many of us, the chill of winter makes us long for the snap, crackle, and pop of a cozy fire. However, installing a fireplace in our homes isn’t always an option due to financial reasons or property constraints (i.e., condos and apartments). Luckily, Sylvane has the next best thing (which, in some cases, may be even better). This week, we added a group of stylish and economical electric fireplaces to our extensive collection of portable heaters.
Electric fireplaces, like those manufactured by Southern Enterprises, are quickly becoming safer, low-hassle alternatives to built-in fireplaces. With traditional fireplaces, you have to consider what type of fireplace and features you want, where it will fit in your home, who will install it (Will you install it yourself or hire contractors?)—plus, you may need a building permit, which could take weeks to get! Read more about electric fireplaces
Do you want to learn more about IQAir’s number-one-selling air purifier for allergy and asthma relief? Great! We’re happy to teach you. Now, you can get an up-close tour of the IQAir HealthPro Plus by watching our new HealthPro Plus video.
This first installment marks our jump into the world of online video. In the coming months, we’ll be bringing you lots more videos about some of our bestselling indoor air quality products. Be sure to visit the Sylvane YouTube Channel regularly to catch our new additions and to learn more about crafting a healthier indoor environment.
Here in metro Atlanta, many residents are in clean-up mode after a historic eight days of continuous rainstorms plunged parts of the city and the city’s suburbs underwater. State officials estimate that Georgia flooding has caused an estimated $250 million worth of damage. While watching the news coverage, I was astounded by videos, photos, and stories of the damage done to homes, schools, businesses, and roadways. These telling snapshots stick out most in my mind:
• On the west side of the city, a stretch of Interstate-20 was completely flooded with water – and schools of fish – after floodwaters of the nearby Sweetwater Creek overflowed onto each side of the highway.
• Clarkdale Elementary School in the northwestern Atlanta suburb of Austell became submerged as floodwaters reached the roof of the 46-year-old school.
• Scores of Atlanta city residents had to take boats into their neighborhoods to survey flood damage done to their homes.
• A total of nine people died after being swept away in rushing floodwaters. Read more and learn how to recover from a flood
The summer of 2009 has officially begun. To help increase your comfort level this season, we have introduced another option for weathering those toasty – and often unforgiving – temperatures. Along with our wide variety of freestanding portable air conditioners, we offer a great selection of highly efficient and economical window air conditioners.
Window AC units are room air conditioners designed to cool areas in your home, office, or business evenly and comfortably. These self-contained appliances are most often installed inside standard double-hung windows, but some units can be configured to install through a wall if you don’t have a window available. Read more about Sylvane's new line-up of window air conditioners
Drip…drip…drip. Does this situation sound familiar? You open your refrigerator, longing for a tall glass of clean water – only to be met with an empty water filter pitcher. Now, you’re going to have to refill it and wait for what seems like an eternity while your tap water slowly drips through the purifying filter before it’s ready to drink.
Drip…drip…annoying drip.
Well guess what? The time you have to wait for that satisfying glass of agua has been drastically reduced with the Clear2O Original Water Pitcher. Nabbing a 2007 “Good Buy” award from Good Housekeeping magazine, the Clear2O water filter pitcher puts clean, contaminant-free water at your fingertips in a record time of 34 seconds. Read more about the Clear2O Original Water Pitcher
Electronics-giant Sharp has introduced 2 super-quiet yet very powerful models into its series of sleek and attractive portable air conditioners. The new units – the Sharp CV-P12PX and the Sharp CV-P13PX – have loads of impressive features. They are equipped with four operating modes, three fan speeds, automatic draining technology, and advanced airflow louvers, to name a few. However, one quality that makes them stand out from the rest – and not to mention from similar models in their class – is that they are incredibly quiet. We’re talking “library quiet.”
When running on their lowest fan speeds, these units emit sounds that are only slightly louder than a whisper. At 41 decibels and 43 decibels respectively, the CV-P12PX and CV-P13PX can be operated in your bedroom, office, or living room with virtually zero disruption. That’s a long way from many first-generation portable AC models that, when operating, you swear sound like a plane shooting down a runway. Read more about our new Sharp air conditioners
Spring break season has officially begun. For many people, this is a time to travel and take a break from work, school, or both. Unfortunately for asthma- and allergy-sufferers, spring break isn’t exactly a break. In fact, traveling with allergies and asthma can prove to be hard work. Luckily, there are multiple mobile phone apps available to make traveling with allergies and asthma a little easier:
Your pet isn’t just a potential source for allergies — in fact, your furry friend might be an allergy- sufferer as well. If your pet scratches or sheds incessantly, vomits, or has chronic respiratory problems, he or she may have an allergy.
With a home occupied by two dogs, carpet, and loads of potential allergy triggers, I am always on the lookout for a great vacuum. For their March issue, 
Finding ways to protect and preserve our environment seems to be on everyone’s minds these days. So, if you’re searching for new ideas to add to your green routine or just feel like you aren’t doing enough, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 
Cockroaches. They’re creepy, crawly — and a leading cause of allergies and asthma!
Maintaining an optimal climate in museum collections can be extremely tricky. Everything from the general climate of the region to types of items in the collection to the comfort of museum visitors and employees must be taken into account. Relative humidity is one key consideration.
Once used primarily as sources of light, candles are a staple in most of today’s homes. They can be used to create ambiance in a room, to add fragrance, and to add soft lighting to a space. However, did you know that these symbols of serenity could actually be damaging your indoor air?
