We all recognize the dangers of outdoor air pollution, such as car emissions. What a lot of people don’t know is that the air inside the regular home is around five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, whether it is at home or in the office. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental hazards. Some common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a couple common terms normally used when discussing indoor air quality, so make sure you’re familiar with these:
HEPA
You’ve probably seen or heard this term used, but do you grasp 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 goes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other contaminants can all be captured, greatly boosting 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 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 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 make sure the air you’re breathing is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a call at 540-636-3396 to schedule an appointment with us.