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 around five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, whether it’s at home or in a store. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental concerns. A couple common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a couple common terms normally used when discussing indoor air quality, so make sure know about these:
HEPA
You’ve possibly seen or heard this term used, but do you understand what it means? HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air” or “high-efficiency particulate arrestance”. HEPA filtration systems are manufactured 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 passes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other pollutants can all be captured, greatly increasing your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is a shortened version of “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simpler terms, it tells you the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can range from 1-16 with the higher rating eliminating more contaminants and allergens without restricting the airflow of your home comfort system. We can work with you to decide on a filter with a MERV rating that will work best for your needs.
We breathe on average 11,000 liters of air a day. We want to help you recognize the importance of indoor air quality and help ensure the air you’re breathing is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns about your home comfort systems give us a ring at 614-879-9091 to set up an appointment with us.