TEST IT

The more educated about Carbon dioxide and other harmful toxins in our home the more we wonder, how much of that stuff is in my house? Can I get a number? The answer is yes, you can.

CO2 sensors have transmitters, hooked up to the HVAC system. The idea behind getting a CO2 sensor, is to keep the fans and air conditioners from continuously running, and limit them to only coming on when the CO2 level raises. This is cost-effective and more ecologically friendly.

www.co2meter.com has indoor sensors ranging from one to three hundred dollars. These sensors are usually installed with your HVAC to automatically keep CO2 Levels regulated. But sometimes they're not. -You'll know when you start falling asleep at your desk, or can't seem to leave the house, as raised carbon dioxide levels can make you tired.

If you are in a LEED certified building there is a CO2 sensor in place. What the sensor will do basically, is turn on the fan and shut the fan off when people come in and out of the room. But if you really want to get into it, you can purchase a portable CO2 meter for about 1,000 dollars, and monitor everywhere you go if you like.  At the very least, a cheap wall mounted sensor will be able to tell you when to open a window.

Why stop there when www.greendepot.com has home test kits for allergens and mold, a carbon monoxide detecter that runs on batteries, a carbon monoxide, propane gas and natural/methane gas detector, an asbestos test kit, bacteria in water test kit, lead paint and lead dust test kit, lead in water, lead surface, Long Term radon. Oh, and my favorite, the microwave oven leakage detector. Yes, you can 'catch radiation leakage with this easy to use test kit.' Most kits were in the 11.95 range, fancier gas and carbon monoxide test kits were around 60 dollars. Happy testing!