Young family playing building blocks radon free home peace of mind

HAVEN meets Ecosense: Joining Forces to Revolutionize Radon Solutions

Empowering healthier homes by transforming indoor air quality management capabilities

San Jose, California – March 12, 2023 – Ecosense, the global leader in radon detection and monitoring, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with HAVEN, a leading innovator in smart indoor air quality (IAQ) management solutions. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the mission to improve indoor air quality, with a focus on preventing radon-induced lung cancer and empowering users with cutting-edge responsive technology.

The heart of this partnership is the integration of Ecosense’s award-winning EcoQube radon monitor into HAVEN’s IAQ monitoring and management platform.

Based on globally patented radon sensor technology and validated by trusted radon authorities, EcoQube delivers readily accessible radon data with accuracy and precision. Radon fluctuations are captured in real-time and seamlessly integrated into the HAVEN IAQ app, where users can view their home’s particle, chemical, and humidity levels for a holistic view of their home’s air quality. With HAVEN’s control capabilities, users will be able to automate ventilation equipment to respond to rising radon levels for a true smart home experience. Since radon originates from the ground, the addition of EcoQube’s localized radon readings to HAVEN’s own in-duct IAQ data provides the most accurate and effective whole-home solution.

Radon reduction system HAVEN air quality monitor IAQ app radon mitigation EcoQube radon detection

This groundbreaking integration ensures a safer and healthier indoor environment for each brand's homeowner and professional customers. HAVEN customers can now benefit from the addition of radon insights and mitigation strategies to the HAVEN IAQ management system, while EcoQube users can pair their devices with HAVEN’s patented whole-home Monitor and Controller for 24/7/365 air quality monitoring and management, encompassing a wider array of air quality contaminants.

"At HAVEN, we are committed to providing unparalleled air quality solutions that enhance the health and comfort of our users. Partnering with Ecosense allows us to address one of the most significant concerns in indoor air quality – radon exposure," said Kevin Hart, Founder & CEO at HAVEN. "The integration of EcoQube signifies a major step towards achieving our vision of being a brand-agnostic platform, offering smarter whole-home IAQ automation."

Ecosense shares HAVEN's commitment to safeguarding health and well-being through innovative, comprehensive indoor air quality management solutions. The collaboration aims to advance Ecosense's mission of reducing the alarming toll of radon-caused lung cancer deaths, which currently stands at 24,000 per year across North America.

“With this future-forward partnership, we are advancing our mission of safeguarding public health by implementing cutting-edge smart radon monitoring to provide one of the most comprehensive indoor air quality management systems," remarked Insoo Park, Founder & CEO of Ecosense. "Collaborating with HAVEN underscores our commitment to not only prevent lung cancer but also empower individuals and families with the best indoor air quality monitoring and control system for the most significant indoor health concerns.”

The integration of EcoQube into the HAVEN ecosystem marks the first of many planned collaborations between the two patented IAQ industry leaders. Incorporating radon monitoring into IAQ management aptly reflects HAVEN's commitment to bringing all-encompassing IAQ controls to their users, and perfectly showcases Ecosense’s cutting-edge technology and expertise in the field. Together, HAVEN and Ecosense are pioneering innovative solutions to revolutionize indoor air quality solutions, setting a new standard for excellence and creating a future where radon-induced lung cancer becomes a relic of the past.

About Ecosense:

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, Ecosense is a leader in and trusted provider of both professional and consumer radon detection and monitoring solutions that are easy to use, accurate, and fast. The company’s smart real-time radon detectors utilize a patented detection technology with high accuracy, delivering reliable results in minutes, not days. The EcoQube was named to TIME’s List of the 100 Best Inventions of 2021 and previously was recognized as a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree in the health and wellness category. Ecosense’s patented ion chamber technology performance has received independent validation from the University of Michigan (Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science) and the Kansas State University Radon Chamber. Both studies concluded that Ecosense’s Patented Technology performed comparably to premium research-grade detectors.

Additionally, the 2023 Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) study on the intercomparison of consumer continuous radon monitors positioned Ecosense as the leader in accurate and precise radon detection within the industry.

About HAVEN:

HAVEN is the first and only smart whole-home air quality solutions provider. With proprietary sensor technology that detects airborne particles, chemicals, and relative humidity levels in real time, HAVEN delivers air quality updates to its users and can even activate equipment in response to the readings for smarter IAQ management. Already installed in thousands of homes across North America, HAVEN’s technology has been tested by 3rd party labs including LMS Technologies Minneapolis, the University of Utah, and the U.S. EPA. It also achieved recognition as an IAQ category finalist in the 2022 AHR Innovation Awards.

Founded in 2013 in Vancouver, Canada, HAVEN was established by former journeyman electrician Kevin R. Hart, through a desire to make healthier air more accessible. HAVEN’s data-driven approach to IAQ enables its homeowner and HVAC professional users to achieve fact-based and personalized air quality improvements, for clean air and peace of mind.

Published at The Globe and Mail

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HAVEN Meets TrickleStar:

Introducing Wireless IAQ Integrations

We’re excited to announce that the HAVEN Central Air Monitor is now compatible with TrickleStar’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat! Our new IFTTT integration makes it easier to maximize savings, optimize comfort, and breathe cleaner air for happier and healthier homes.

How it works

HAVEN's Central Air Monitor allows homeowners to track whole-home Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The TrickleStar Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat provides smart control over a home's HVAC system for optimal comfort. When combined, the HAVEN and TrickleStar solution enables homeowners to maximize savings, optimize comfort, and improve indoor air quality.

The integrated solution uses IFTTT to wirelessly connect HAVEN's air quality monitor with TrickleStar's smart thermostat for a simplified installation – without additional wired controls for activating HVAC equipment, and improving IAQ.

1. HAVEN’s in-duct Central Air Monitor continuously tracks air pollutants within a home.

2. HAVEN sends a wireless signal to TrickleStar’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat when pollutants cross safe thresholds

HAVEN's Central Air Monitor detects air pollution; The TrickleStar Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat activates forced air equipment; Responsive filtration improves indoor air quality

3. TrickleStar’s thermostat then automatically activates the home’s HVAC system to filter and freshen the air.

Homeowners have clean air peace of mind with the HAVEN IAQ app, which shows when their system has been activated to address IAQ issues automatically.

The solution is professionally installed, and available here.

A proven indoor air quality solution

IAQ issues can cause harm to health, and to a home itself.
IAQ Issue	Common Causes or Indicators
Particulate Matter (PM2.5)	Dust, pet dander, combustion particles from cooking
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	Chemicals from cleaning products, paints, and furniture off-gassing
Relative Humidity (rH)	Mold, cracked wood, peeling paint

When these issues cross safe thresholds, the HAVEN Monitor can now alert a connected TrickleStar Thermostat to activate equipment and improve air quality, according to the three pillars of IAQ.

What are the three pillars of IAQ?

Wireless IAQ Integrations improve indoor air quality through filtration, ventilation, and humidity control: the three pillars of IAQ

Filtration: Helps capture harmful airborne particles on a whole-home scale – unlike room air purifiers, which only service one room at a time. Without effective filtration, Particulate Matter buildup can damage critical organs like the heart and lungs.

Ventilation: Proper ventilation replaces stale air with new outdoor air: removing any built up VOCs, and CO2 from breathing. Chemical buildup in the body has been linked to liver, kidney, and nervous system damage.

Humidity Control: Optimizing temperature and relative humidity is key for human health, as well as limiting microorganism and virus survival.

The new HAVEN & TrickleStar integration wirelessly transforms a home’s HVAC system into a smart IAQ solution, enabling the delivery of clean air automatically through the three pillars of IAQ.

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Schedule a demo today to learn more about how the TrickleStar and HAVEN partnership can help you to solve indoor air quality issues in your customers’ homes:

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By Christina S, Marketing Coordinator
Vancouver, British Columbia

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Working with wildfires

How the HVAC industry can become the hero of wildfire season

With unprecedented droughts and wildfire season already well underway in many states, it's never been more crucial to consider the impact of wildfire smoke on your customers' Indoor Air Quality at home. Let's take a look at how HVAC can help in wildfire season, the effects of wildfire smoke on IAQ, and the steps you can take to keep your customers safe in their homes until the smoke subsides...

As of June, the 2023 wildfire season is already the worst since 1995.

- Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre

Why is wildfire smoke dangerous to health?

Wood smoke can linger in the body for 40 times longer than tobacco smoke, increasing the risk of developing cancer or a respiratory illness¹. As wildfires and forest fires get worse each year, the long-term effects on human health will escalate over time. This becomes a double-whammy of prolonged exposure over each individual event, and repeated exposure over each year, combining to jeopardize the health of your customers and their families in the very place they should be safest. Those with asthma are particularly susceptible to the health risks of inhaling Particulate Matter (PM) such as fire smoke — and given that 13% of Americans suffer from asthma² the chances are that some of your customers fall into this vulnerable category.

Air pollution from wildfires have a 10x greater impact on health than similar pollution levels from other sources.

- Nature Communications

How HVAC can help in wildfire season

The majority of wildfire smoke exposure occurs while we are inside, despite the visible effects often remaining outside the home. Leaky home syndrome and negative air pressure can contribute to smoke infiltration into a home, which is why we believe that HVAC pros are best placed to assess and advise on IAQ issues for their customers (we'd like to see a counter-top monitor factor in a building envelope!). Once inside, smoke particles linger longer and settle into soft furnishings, carpeting and rugs, posing a fresh risk each time these surfaces are disturbed by everyday activities or vacuuming without a HEPA filter — meaning that all those health risks we just covered don't disappear when the smoke clears.

Installing a high MERV filter (13 or above) is the simplest step to ensure that smoke particles are captured — but without airflow, even the best filter is ineffective. Here's where HAVEN comes in...

How can HAVEN help with managing wildfire smoke?

Our duct-mounted Central Air Monitor tracks Particulate Matter levels across the entire home: whereas your average counter-top monitor would only alert spikes within its immediate environment, the HAVEN Monitor will pick up on the presence of wildfire smoke whether it's from one broken window seal or a wider building envelope issue.
The NEW Central Air Controller adds smart capability to existing equipment: we recommend wiring it to the air handler, and setting the automations to toggle the blower fan when high Particle levels are detected. This ensures that airflow is activated when needed, so the filter can effectively capture harmful smoke particles.
The HAVEN Pro Web Portal logs and displays crucial customer IAQ data to help you identify spikes or trends over time, giving you the evidence you need to back up further equipment solutions like a media air filter to ensure your customer's home isn't compromising their health through the smoky season.

Since many mechanical ventilation solutions rely on intake of outdoor air, it's also crucial that this equipment is deactivated during fire smoke events in order to minimize the risk of PM being drawn into the building. With IFTTT integration, HAVEN can also automate these shut-downs in response to PM spikes! Click here to learn more about our IFTTT integrations.

Find out more about how HAVEN can help level-up your IAQ strategy and protect your customers' health:

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How to keep your home wildfire smoke free

Make sure your home is a safe HAVEN™ this wildfire season

Wildfire occurrences are expected to increase 25% by 2030

- Forest fire occurrence and climate change in Canada

As much of North America faces its worst droughts in recent history and memories of last year's wildfires still rage in the minds of those affected, people are increasingly considering the risks of wildfire smoke on their health and their homes. But what steps can be taken? How can you make sure your family isn't breathing smoky, polluted air inside the home? Can you remove wildfire smoke from home? Or better yet - stop it getting in in the first place? Let's dive in...

What are the health risks of wildfire smoke?

Studies have shown that wood smoke can remain active in the body for 40 times longer than tobacco smoke, increasing the chances of developing cancer or a respiratory condition¹. As wildfires and forest fires continue to get worse year on year, the long-term health effects will escalate over time: creating a double-whammy of prolonged exposure over each individual event, and repeated exposure over each year.

Those with asthma are particularly susceptible to the health risks of inhaling Particulate Matter (PM) from sources such as fire smoke - and an estimated 13% of Americans suffer from asthma². Research suggests that long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can even cause asthma (more on that here). It's clearer than ever that we need to take Indoor Air Quality seriously for the health of ourselves and our loved ones - whether or not there is an existing health concern at play.

Can wildfire smoke affect me at home?

Though the air in your home may not become visibly smoky, if the levels outside are concentrated and air quality warnings are in place, the chances are that wildfire smoke particles have made it inside. There are many factors which affect this - from the obvious, such as doors and windows being left open or damaged sealant allowing for infiltration, to the obscure (such as the tightness of your home's construction or negative air pressure inside causing polluted air to be drawn in).

Setting your HVAC system to 'recirculate' and turning off outdoor-venting fans is a good start - but for more thorough tips, check out our infiltration checklist. Once smoke particles have made it into the home, they can remain over time in soft furnishings and carpeting, causing further risk to your family's health each time these surfaces are disturbed and the particles become airborne once more. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and mopping can help to reduce the risk - but ideally, we don't want these unwanted guests in your home in the first place. So what else can be done?

When outdoor pollutant levels are high, ventilating the indoors with outdoor air can make your pollution worse.

- IQAir

How can I avoid wildfire smoke getting into my home?

In addition to staying informed with the Air Quality Index and following official guidance during fire smoke events, we recommend taking steps to monitor the levels of indoor air pollution so that you and your family aren't blindsided by invisible smoke particles in your home. Counter-top monitors have their place - but if the source of infiltration is from a particular room where a monitor isn't present, the chances are this will go undetected. Many go in search of the best home air purifier for wildfire smoke, but the effectiveness of certain models under real-world conditions, and health concerns relating to side effects³ are added worries that no-one needs during wildfire season. For a cost-effective short-term solution, try our DIY tutorial to create a box-fan air purifier.

A professionally installed air quality monitor (located in the return duct of your home's central HVAC system) has the ability to assess airborne pollutants across your whole home - giving you peace of mind that they're not slipping under the radar, and giving your HVAC professional the insights they need to assess whether further filtration or ventilation is needed to keep you and your loved ones safe. An effective furnace filter for wildfire smoke (like MERV 13) is also a must, and keep in mind that your filter’s lifespan will be much shorter during smoky season.

HAVEN calculates filter lifetime based on your system runtime, and pollution levels detected. That's how we know when to remind you to replace your filter, and stop the smoke from creating unsafe conditions in your home. With a HAVEN Controller installed, we can also activate airflow when high particulate levels are found. This increases the amount of particles that your filter is able to capture, before they reach your lungs instead.

Find out more about making your home a safe HAVEN:

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HAVEN™ is your professionally managed air quality solution, helping you and your family

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I'd like to provide HAVEN as a part of my services

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Can indoor air pollution cause asthma?

Since May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at the links between air pollution and asthma - the causes, culprits, and changes you can make within your home to reduce the chances of an asthma attack.

Allergic asthma can be triggered by common factors within the home such as dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. These airborne particles are known as Particulate Matter (PM). Without proper air filtration and ventilation within a home, they can remain floating in the air over extended periods of time. When inhaled, PM causes irritation and inflammation to the airways, triggering asthma symptoms.

Though the science is still evolving, it's believed that continued exposure to poor indoor air quality can be a cause of asthma in itself due to the long-term irritation of airways. This is of particular concern regarding children, whose lungs are still developing and whose lung function can be compromised by such conditions.

Indoor air pollution increases the risk of childhood acute respiratory infections by 78%

This leads to a million deaths in children under 5 years of age every year

Can keeping your home clean reduce asthma triggers?

If dust and pet dander can cause asthma symptoms, then cleaning and vacuuming should help… right? Unfortunately the answer isn’t quite that simple. While a thorough cleaning routine is advisable, there are other factors at play here: unless your vacuum has an in-built HEPA filter, the process of vacuuming can disperse these pesky particles back into the air — right back into the danger zone, where they’re more likely to be inhaled by you or your loved ones. Similarly, cleaning sprays and aerosol products introduce irritants known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the home — which are sources of air pollution and often asthma triggers in themselves.

“It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home, even if symptoms are not noticeable”

- Environmental Protection Agency

Can air quality testing help?

Air quality isn’t static: an assessment of your home’s air on a weekday while your family are at work or school will give a very different picture to, say, testing on a busy Saturday morning with a full house and breakfast cooking away on the stovetop, or after a spring cleaning blitz.

Actions such as using your kitchen range hood and opening windows can help to reduce concentration levels of air pollutants under the right conditions — but outdoor factors such as pollen, traffic pollution or wildfire smoke can introduce further harmful substances into your home’s air and risk an asthma attack.

Continuous monitoring of your home’s air gives you the full picture of pollution levels, with the data to spot trends so you can problem solve your air quality issues and pin-point events that may have sparked an asthma attack, or recognize those long-term poor air quality indicators and address them before noticeable health effects set in. With an estimated 1.6M deaths per year linked to indoor air pollution² and no medical cure for asthma, it’s clear that awareness needs to be raised on the issue and the impact of the invisible on human health.

Ready to learn more about indoor air quality monitoring?

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HAVEN™ is your professionally managed air quality solution, helping you and your family

Breathe Better

I’m an HVAC Pro

I'd like to provide HAVEN as a part of my services

BECOME A PRO

I’m a homeowner

Interested in finding the best indoor air quality monitor & solutions

GET STARTED