Vol. 8: Issue #14 Letter: #162 (Previous newsletters available in archives on web site)
"Comfort is our specialty...Quality is our method...Satisfying you is our goal".
Indoor Air What?
Part IV: The Solution (Finding the right air purifier for you).
 If you have read the previous, 3 newsletters (click here if you missed them and would like to read or review them), one thing has become abundantly clear. The solution to the problems of many people suffering from air borne pollution is not medical but is in reducing the pollutants in the air they breathe.
And while it may no longer be a secret “why” the air inside our homes is contaminated, choosing the air purifier best suited for your home…to make your living space free of pollution…can still be a challenge, especially with the information presented by so many glib salespeople and misleading advertising.
For example, one very popular “air cleaner” emphasizes its “quietness”. It is quiet! That’s because the unit has no fan to exchange and filter the DIRTY air in the room through the machine, in order to remove the pollutants from your indoor environment.
Systems like this can only remove a very small amount of particles onto its thin-narrow collector plate that is attached to the unit. This collector plate can only attract particles from a distance of approximately 1/8 of an inch away! The dust, smoke, pollen, dander, and other pollutants that are just a very short distance away from the collector plate will continue to float airborne for you to breathe…and if the collector plate is dirty, the plate is not able to keep collecting particles onto it. Then its function ceases all together!
Reminder: “
If it Sounds too Good to be True... It Probably Is”!
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Dilution. |
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Removal. |
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Neutralization. |
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Dilution. Introduce outside air. The introduction of outside air directly into your heating and cooling system is both inefficient and costly. |
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Removal. Airborne particulate filters physically remove some contaminants from the air. |
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Neutralization. The most effective way to neutralize air pollution is using a combination of technologies that include the ultraviolet (UV) lights, hydroxyl radicals, Negative Ions and a small amount of Ozone, the combination of which promotes the destruction of bacteria, viruses, bacteria, fungi and other pollutants, including mold spores, as well as sanitizing the air, controlling odors and reducing static electricity. |
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Here is a brief description, of the most common types of HVAC filters available and their effectiveness: |
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FIBERGLASS: Most HVAC equipment is shipped with this type filter. It is the most inexpensive filter you can buy. Its main function is to PROTECT THE EQUIPMENT from dust and large particles. Most people refer to them as the "throw away" type and can be purchased at hardware stores and similar outlets. They were never intended for improving air quality and only stop about 15 % of the largest particles in the air. Replace monthly. |
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PLEATED PAPER: These filters look like a paper version of drapery pleats and stop up to 45% of the particles in the air. This type filter is the easiest upgrade for the money spent. Replace every 1 to 3 months. |
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ELECTROSTATIC FILTER: As an upgrade to Fiberglass filters, these are made up of layers of synthetic material that generate an electrical charge to attract dust particles. Electrostatic filters come with guarantees from five years to life. There have been problems due to high restriction of airflow across the filter which in turn reduces system capacity and efficiency. Clean at intervals of between 1 to 4 weeks. |
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HEALTHY CLIMATE® 10 MEDIA AIR CLEANER: Provides whole-home filtration for optimal home comfort and air quality, with no additional energy costs. MERV 10 media filter removes up to 85% of particles and bioaerosols down to 3 microns. Effective filtration to protect the HVAC equipment. No ozone emissions, a known lung irritant. Compatible with your HVAC system. 5-Year Limited Warranty on covered components. Replace Media Filter once a year. |
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HEALTHY CLIMATE® 16 MEDIA AIR CLEANER: Provides whole-home filtration for optimal home comfort and air quality, with no additional power source. MERV 16 Precision Pleat™ media filter removes over 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns and over 90% of bioaerosols and microorganisms down to .01 microns. Effective filtration to protect the HVAC equipment. No ozone emissions, a known lung irritant. Compatible with your HVAC system. It would take at least six of the top-rated portable room air cleaners to equal the performance of one Healthy Climate® 16 Media Air Cleaner. (Source: Leading consumer magazine, May 2005.) Based on the published CADR which is a standardized measurement system to determine the cubic feet of clean air produced per minute. 5-Year Limited Warranty on covered components. Replace Media Filter once a year. |
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ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANER: An electrostatic grid is powered when the system is on and attracts particles to it. The grid is cleaned as needed with a water hose or in the dishwasher. This type of filter does require modification to the ductwork and wiring to be installed in your HVAC system. |
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TRANE CleanEffects: Removal of up to 99.98% of particles and allergens from your filtered indoor air. An industry-leading clean air delivery rate of 1,200. Low operating costs, with no replacement filters to buy. Easy installation. Quiet operation. Minimal ozone generated, less than 5 PPB (parts per billion), well below the 10 PPB FDA voluntary emission limit for medical devices and significantly below some ionic-type room appliances that may reach hundreds of PPBs. Low pressure drop. Cleaning indicators easily visible on the outside of the unit. Easy to clean filters–just vacuum or rinse once every 3 to 9 months (depending on usage). TRANE CleanEffects has a ten-year limited warranty on the system’s electronics, and a five-year parts limited warranty on the system filters. |
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PUREAIR™ AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM: Industry-leading air purification technology. MERV 16 PrecisionPleat™ media filter. Only single indoor air quality system to attack all three classes of indoor air contaminants: 1. Small, breathable particles such as dust, dirt, pollen and allergens. 2. Airborne mold spores, bacteria and viruses. 3. Odors and chemical vapors. Removes over 95% of particles ranging in size down to .3 micron, over 90% of bioaerosols ranging in size down to .01 micron, and destroys approximately 50% of household odors and chemical vapors in a 24-hour period (based on laboratory and field studies). Reduces and destroys ozone (a product of pollution and a known lung irritant). Effective filtration to protect HVAC equipment. No ozone emissions, a known lung irritant. 5-Year Limited Warranty on covered components. Replace Filter, UVA Lamps, and Metal Insert yearly. |
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As you can see, standard (throw away) cardboard frame filters are only about 15% effective in removing dust and particles from the air. They have little or no effect on pollen, micro-organisms, smoke or other similar pollutants.
Electrostatic filters do a slightly better job; they are around 20% effective in removing dust and particles from the air, provided they are rinsed off once a month. Because they can be cleaned and reused, they are more economical than disposable filters.
A media air cleaner can pay for itself by increasing energy efficiency and prolonging the life of your heating and cooling system. Media air cleaners are 80% to 95% effective in removing the airborne pollutants, including the smaller particulates which readily pass through standard cardboard and electrostatic filters.
These pollutants include pollen, dirt, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria, mold, and viruses. The Media air cleaner consists of a case and a Media filter. The filter should be replaced once a year… If it is not replaced, it will eventually become so clogged that it will restrict air flow to your heating and cooling system and the system will not be able to operate effectively.
There is this too… The same airborne pollutants which impact human respiratory health can also damage home entertainment centers and computer equipment and can compromise air conditioning equipment by forcing it to work harder, thereby reducing its efficiency and possibly shortening its lifespan.
Finally,
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
 The TRANE CleanEffects or the Lennox PUREAIR™ AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM.
If you really want to go to war against airborne pollutants in your home, Climatemakers will be happy to assess and assist you with your specific air purification needs and personalized recommendation.
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Or you can select from some of the most popular accessories like a programmable thermostat that automatically regulates the heating/cooling in your house to suit your lifestyle (click here) or an electronic air cleaner that removes dirt, dust and pollen to improve your health (click here) or an automatic humidifier to add moisture to the air in the winter (click here) or how to add a zoning system that will save you money as it increases or decreases the heating/cooling in those rooms where and when it is not needed (click here). |
