We all recognize the dangers of outdoor air pollution, such as car emissions. What a lot of people don’t recognize is that the air inside the regular home is approximately 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 concerns. A few normal indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a couple common terms traditionally used when speaking about indoor air quality, so make sure know about 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 passes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other pollutants can all be captured, greatly increasing your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is short for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simple terms, it says 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 inhibiting 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 home.
We breathe on average 11,000 liters of air a day. We want to help you understand the importance of indoor air quality and help be 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 940-202-1184 to set up an appointment with us.