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 average home is nearly five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend around 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 dangers. A couple common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also some common terms normally used when speaking about indoor air quality, so make sure you’re familiar with these:
HEPA
You’ve possibly seen or heard this term used, but do you know 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 short for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simple terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be anywhere from 1-16 with the higher rating getting rid of more contaminants and allergens without impacting the airflow of your home comfort system. We can work with you to determine a filter with a MERV rating that will work best for your home.
We breathe on average 11,000 liters of air a day. We want to help you understand 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 related to your home comfort systems give us a ring at 520-200-1048 to arrange an appointment with us.