Why Is Air Filtration Important

Take a second to think about all the things you can see floating around in the air when you are outside. These things include pollen, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pet dander, mites, and other insects. If you can see so much of this just imagine what is floating around that you can’t see. These pollutants jeopardize our immune systems and cause illness or an allergic reaction. In the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, the effects can be even worse.

 

Pollutants can come from within our homes & from the outside. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a safe haven where none of these things can do your family harm? Because many come from within our home the solution is a bit more complicated than closing a window.

 

There is one way to ensure the air quality of your home is clean. A healthy home should be free of mites, bacteria, viruses, and pollen. The first step is to identify what can make the air quality in your home poor. Once we understand why the air quality is poor we’ll show you how to improve it.

 

 Pet Dander

 Do you own any animals? If the answer was no, surprisingly the dander from animals outside your home can still follow you in. Dander is dead skin cells that are constantly shed by humans and animals. The proteins of these cells cause allergies in many people and can affect the air quality of your home.

 

Mites are tiny arachnids that typically measure less than 1mm. They will cling to your animals and stick to your pant legs. Being so small you may not even notice they are there. Mites carry allergens that make some people have severe allergic reactions.

  

Pollen

Many San Diego, homeowners are allergic to pollen. In mid to late spring San Diego will tend to have high levels of pollen. If you suffer from allergies you likely dread this time of year

 

Exposure to pollen for many allergy sufferers can ruin the beauty of springtime. From the common runny nose to the itchy eyes and sore throat it can make you feel like you are dying. Each time you step out of your home these allergens attack. Why allow these allergens into your home as well? The air quality in your home should make it a sanctuary. Someplace where you can escape the seasonal pain associated with these nuisances

 

Many products we use to clean up our homes can actually make these issues worse. Once you bring a chemical into your home it can be impossible to end its harmful effects. These chemicals destroy viruses and bacteria what effect do you think they can have on you?

 

Bacteria and viruses are living organisms that cause diseases. Examples of this are the common cold or Coronavirus. Many viruses and bacteria can make diseases, like asthma or COPD, worse.

 

Bacteria and viruses have the ability to travel through the air due to their size. A sneeze or cough can send mucous droplets filled with viruses or bacteria into the air. Inhaling airborne viruses or bacteria can spread influenza, Coronavirus, and other infectious pollutants.

 

The air we breathe is full of bad things that our lungs and immune system are always trying to fight off. Our bodies are resilient and fight back and in most cases, people remain healthy. When you are outdoors there is plenty of fresh air. Indoors your windows, walls, and roof keep these contaminants inside. It’s a recipe that can affect your health each time you enter your home.

 

A proper air filtration system should be standard for every home. Filtering out these harmful particles will give you fresh air to breathe. This is how to ensure good indoor air quality and how you improve your quality of life.

 

It is important to note that each contaminant can be of different sizes. This can create issues maintaining the air quality of your home. Many of these particles are larger than say the Coronavirus. It’s very important to use the correct type of filter to trap or kill even the smallest of particles. Options exist that do exactly this.

 

Every home comfort system has a filter but not all will filter out these contaminants. Filter’s have a minimum efficiency reporting value otherwise known as MERV. This number tells you exactly what type of contaminants it will filter out. The higher this number is the better your air quality will be.

 

 

MERV rating from 10 to 12:

Will filter out lead and auto emissions and the above pollen, mites, and bigger particles.

 

MERV of 16 or above:

Will filter out all the above and also bacteria, insecticides, and viruses. This amounts to more than 92% of all contaminants.

 

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for! To get the best possible air quality in your home you will need to go high on the MERV scale. Doing this will reduce your family’s exposure to illness, allergies, and toxins. Installation of a filtration system that removes contaminants will keep your family safe.

 

Uv Sanitizers are designed to kill bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungal spores. These pollutants can be floating around everywhere in your home. When they are present they can make you sick when you’re exposed to high concentrations of them. The most common type of sanitizer is a UV light device.

 

Aka “high-efficiency particulate arresting.”

 

These filters are good at pulling things out of the air so that they can’t recirculate in your home. HEPA filters are designed to trap particles as small as .01 microns in diameter. This is far smaller than human hair.

 

UV light devices, don’t actually remove anything. These devices kill any viruses, bacteria, or mold spores floating around by design. By exposing them to ultraviolet light this is achieved.

 

The Coronavirus is a very tiny virus placing it at the lower end of a HEPA filter range. This means it likely is not 100% effective on a single pass. When a HEPA system is run over time, it can and will take out a big chunk of viruses. Industry estimates are in the 99.94 to 99.97 percentile. Exposure to UV light in an air purifying device can disable many viruses. This includes COVID-19 but it must be exposed long enough.

 

To get started with at-home air filtration you need to have the right equipment installed. Your system must be compatible with a high efficient, air filtration system. For help selecting the best air purification equipment Call Hamel’s Air Conditioning and Heating today. We will walk you through the steps it will take to filter the air in your home. Our HVAC techs will assure your system supports the new equipment. As a homeowner, your home should be a refuge from the harmful pollutants we have discussed. We’ll ensure you have an air filtration system that suits your needs so your family can breathe easily.