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 approximately five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, whether they are at home or in a store. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental dangers. A few of the usual indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a few common terms normally used when speaking about indoor air quality, so make sure you understand these:
HEPA
You’ve likely 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 created 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 increasing your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is an acronym for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simpler terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be anywhere from 1-16 with the higher rating removing more contaminants and allergens without inhibiting 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 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 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 ring at 530-885-8081 to set up an appointment with us.