TYLER, Texas - Nearly 75 percent of homeowners admitted their houses had unwanted piles of dust, pet hair, and other particles known as dust bunnies, according to those surveyed in 20 major U.S. cities for the first-ever Dust Bunny Barometer from American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning.

The Dust Bunny Barometer found that 82 percent of Pittsburgh and Seattle residents battle dust bunnies in their homes, the most of all the cities surveyed. Sacramento reported the fewest dust bunnies but still claimed a significant presence with 69 percent of residents admitting to having them in their homes.

“The Dust Bunny Barometer tells us that homeowners know they have dust bunnies and they’re concerned about the air in their homes,” said Joyce Warrington, national brand director, American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. “Families want solutions to get rid of dust bunnies once and for all so that they can breathe easier in their own homes.”

More than half of the total surveyed residents said that someone in their home suffers from an allergy-inducing ailment and three out of four households own a pet - both scenarios underscoring the importance of air quality.

Despite citing high numbers of particulates and allergens, only one out of four households currently uses an air purifier or humidifier and only 58 percent reported changing their air filters in the past six months when it’s recommended most air filters should be replaced monthly.

The survey findings revealed that 75 percent of respondents expressed concern about the air quality inside their homes, but only 11 percent feel they have their dust bunny population under control.

For more information, visit www.americanstandardair.com/dustbunny.

Publication date:09/03/2007