We all know 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 approximately 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 couple normal indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also some common terms normally used when talking about indoor air quality, so make sure know about these:
HEPA
You’ve probably 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 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 easier terms, it states 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 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 system.
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 in your home is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a call at 239-241-5318 to schedule an appointment with us.