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 regular home is nearly 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 dangers. A few common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a few common terms traditionally used when discussing indoor air quality, so make sure you understand these:
HEPA
You’ve likely 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 produced 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 heads through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other pollutants can all be captured, greatly improving your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is a shortened version of “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simple terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be between 1-16 with the higher rating eliminating more contaminants and allergens without inhibiting 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 realize the importance of indoor air quality and help make sure the air inside your house is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns about your home comfort systems give us a call at 715-352-4052 to set up an appointment with us.