We all hear about the dangers of outdoor air pollution, such as car emissions. What a lot of people don’t recognize is that the air inside the normal home is approximately five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors, whether it is at home or in a store. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental hazards. A few common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a few common terms regularly used when speaking about indoor air quality, so make sure you’re familiar with these:
HEPA
You’ve likely seen or heard this term used, but do you grasp what it means? HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air” or “high-efficiency particulate arrestance”. HEPA filtration systems are created and certified to capture at least 99.97% of .3-micron (.000012” or 300x smaller than the diameter of human hair) particles from the air that goes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other pollutants can all be captured, greatly increasing your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is an acronym for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in easier terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be anywhere from 1-16 with the higher rating removing more contaminants and allergens without impacting the airflow of your home comfort system. We can work with you to determine a filter with a MERV rating that will work best for your system.
We breathe on average 11,000 liters of air a day. We want to help you understand the importance of indoor air quality and help ensure the air in your home is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a shout at 928-263-8570 to set up an appointment with us.