Since indoor air quality is a major concern today in the country (the EPA estimates that the air inside a home is often 3 to 4 times worse than that outside) people are looking for an effective way to remove the many contaminants that may be floating around their air. There are many solutions to poor indoor air quality, but the most common is the installation of media air filters, which trap particles as they try to move through them. These filters use no electrical power, and if properly matched to the HVAC system by professionals they will not reduce air flow or place strain on the air conditioner or heater.
These filters will not stop all contaminants in a home, but they will catch more than 99% of those larger than 0.3 microns. Here are some of the indoor air pollutants that they are effective at combating:
- Dust: The most common polluting particle moving through a house is easily caught in most media filters, even ones with lower MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating.
- Dust mites: The small arachnids (no, they aren’t insects) flourish inside homes and are a cause of allergies and asthma. Even dead dust mites are a problem, since their exoskeletons can cause allergic reactions.
- Animal dander: Few particles in the air can trigger as negative an allergic reaction in people as the skin dander from cats, dogs, and birds. If this is a particular concern for your home, look into special high MERV filters designed specifically to combat dander.
- Pollen: Pollen is a major enemy during the spring for people with asthma and allergies. Thankfully, pollen is easily stopped with most mechanical filters.
What pollutants can escape a media filter? Gases and odors, as well as organic contaminants such as bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. If these are in your home’s air, you should look into installing an electronic air cleaner or UV air purifier along with a media filter.
OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. offers indoor air quality services in Fairfax, VA. Let us help you find the right air filter or air cleaner for your home.
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