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 average 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 running errands. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental hazards. A few common indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a couple common terms regularly used when talking about indoor air quality, so make sure you’re familiar with these:
HEPA
You’ve likely 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 passes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other contaminants can all be captured, greatly increasing your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is short for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in easier terms, it tells you the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be between 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 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 recognize the importance of indoor air quality and help ensure the air you’re breathing is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns about your home comfort systems give us a call at 847-362-0262 to arrange an appointment with us.