We all hear about the dangers of outdoor air pollution, such as car emissions. What a lot of people don’t realize 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 nearly 90% of their time indoors, whether it’s at home or in the office. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental dangers. A couple normal indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a few common terms normally used when talking about 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 contaminants can all be captured, greatly boosting your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is an acronym for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simpler terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can range from 1-16 with the higher rating removing more contaminants and allergens without restricting the airflow of your home comfort system. We can work with you to figure out 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 realize the importance of indoor air quality and help be sure the air inside your house is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a ring at 636-206-4250 to arrange an appointment with us.