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 normal 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 they are at home or in a store. 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 discussing indoor air quality, so make sure know about these:
HEPA
You’ve possibly 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 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 goes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other pollutants can all be captured, greatly improving your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is an acronym for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simpler terms, it tells you the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can range 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 figure out a filter with a MERV rating that will work best for your home.
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 inside your house is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns about your home comfort systems give us a shout at 951-299-9853 to schedule an appointment with us.