Here at Allred Heating and Air Conditioning we understand the importance of clean air. This is why we supply and install Trane, Honeywell, and General Air brands. There are many products in the market today that can control and eliminate many of the pollutants found in the air we breathe. Products such as Electronic Air Cleaners (EAC), Media Filters, Humidifiers, Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) and Ultra Violet Lights are a few of the products we use to clean and purify your air.
In recent studies, the EPA reported that the air inside your home could be up to 40 times more polluted than the outdoor environment. Since the average person spends 80-90% of their time inside, indoor air quality has become a great concern in North America. Over 50% of all illnesses come from the air we breathe. Asthma, allergies and breathing problems have increased at alarming rates
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
In a recent study, the EPA reported that the air inside your home could be up to 40 times more polluted than the outdoor environment. Since the average person spends 80-90% of their time inside, indoor air quality has become a great concern in North America. Over 50% of all illnesses come from the air we breathe. Asthma, allergies and breathing problems have increased at alarming rates. Why has this happened and what can we do about it?
In the mid 1980's, building codes became much more stringent on sealing homes from the outside environment to conserve energy. Our success in sealing our homes from the outside elements also prevents natural air exchanges. Pollutants are never allowed to be expelled to the outside. This is especially true in winter when we rarely are able to open up windows.
There are four main categories of indoor air quality problems:
- Particulars - dust, smoke, pollen, etc.
- Bio-aerosols - micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, mold, etc.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) - chemical or odor causing gases etc.
- Humidity - Too much or too little humidity can cause mold, cracks in wood and an uncomfortable home to live in.
The question that most people have is, "What can I do about it?" There are different solutions for each of the types of indoor air pollutants.
Solutions:
- Particulars - Media Filters
- Bio-aerosols - Ultra Violet lights, (UV)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) - Electronic Air Cleaners (EAC)
- Humidity - Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
- Overall Air Quality - Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV)
Most particulars are 1 micron or larger (There are approximately 25,000 microns in an inch) and can be filtered out of the air stream with a good 6 inch media filter. The standard 1-inch filter that comes with a furnace is designed to keep the furnace safe; it is not designed to keep the air we breathe safe.
Bio-aerosols are living things and are best killed with UV light technology. Most bio-aerosols are less than 1 micron in size, and a 6-inch media filter will not remove them from the air stream, which is why it is important to have a UV light to kill them.
Volatile organic compounds are generally smaller than 1 micron and are not filtered out by a 6-inch media filter. UV lights do neutralize some VOCs, but not all. VOCs are as small as .01 microns, and the best solution to remove them from the air is an EAC air purifier. EAC air purifiers constantly filter a portion of the air as it moves through the duct system, removing particles as small as .01 microns.
For more information please contact us.