August 19, 2020

A new national consumer study confirms that COVID–19 has drastically changed the way Americans clean, live in and use our home, but it also has consumers worrying about another airborne threat we can’t shelter in place from: the air we breathe. Continuing their mission to ensure everyone can Come Home to Fresh Air, Broan-NuTone conducted a national survey to reveal the major changes this extraordinary pandemic has had on consumer habits and attitudes in the place we breathe most.

According to the national study, nearly two-thirds of consumers stated that they are feeling more concerned about indoor air quality (IAQ) than before, yet few recognize the negative impacts our new cleaning, lifestyle and precautionary behaviors can have on our home and health.

According to the EPA, indoor air is five times more polluted than the outdoors. A staggering majority (85 percent) of Americans reported experiencing one or more symptoms of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in their own home, with nearly 30 percent listing one or more household members suffering from respiratory and/or sinus symptoms linked to poor IAQ.

COVID-19 has dramatically intensified consumers’ daily cleaning routines, many of which have a negative impact on IAQ. The vast majority of respondents reported frequently wiping down surfaces and items brought into the home, using aerosols, vacuuming frequently and/or using strong chemicals to clean. But fewer still (39 percent) associate using these chemical-based cleaning products with having a negative impact on the air they breathe, and only 21 percent recognize the lingering or harsh smell of these products as a symptom of poor IAQ.

Safer-at–home orders have also forced Americans to turn to a dining destination closer to home: their own kitchen. This this rise of home cooking at home may smell delicious but cooking without proper ventilation can quickly create damaging fumes, moisture and smoke that can quickly infiltrate every room. Range hoods are the most effective solution for airborne removal but the study shows that nearly 40 percent of consumers fail to use them on a regular basis.

“With the home serving as the epicenter during this unprecedented time, indoor air quality will continue to play a vital role in consumers’ safety and well–being,” said Dave Jones, senior marketing communications manager at Broan-Nutone. “As we carry on adapting routines to remain ‘safer at home,’ Americans should consider introducing fresh air and proper airflow via ventilation into the place we breathe most.”

Pandemic–Proof Solutions: Introducing More than a Breath of Fresh Air to Our “New Normal”

For those wanting to confront the changes lingering in the air, air flow and proper ventilation are vital to sustaining healthy indoor air. Educating homeowners on the causes and signs of unhealthy air is the first step towards empowering them to take action. Broan–Nutone offers several simple solutions to customize to the way you live and breathe. Come Home to Fresh Air with simple habit changes and Spot (local) Ventilation to complete Fresh Air Systems.