Indoor Air Quality


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"If you could see what you are breathing in your air, it would scare you to death! You probably would not want to take another breath... without wearing a respirator."

Indoor Air Quality Specialist

Indoor Air Quality

Taking 30,000 breaths each day, we breathe in up to 200,000 millions of these pollutants, particles so small that the majority (about 99%) of these irritants can not be seen with the naked eye.

Today, "indoor air quality" (IAQ) is the "Hot Button" in enhancing the quality of life in homes throughout the country. This remarkable upgrading in the comfort, convenience and health of the family is usually accomplished with the installation of several accessories to the regular heating/cooling system, notably a filtering and purifying system to remove pollutants and contaminants.

It would be much simpler if we could point to one culprit in the battle to improve air quality but as the 40 million people who suffer from allergies and asthma can attest, there are thousands of different kinds of particles floating around in your house.

These pollutants cannot be captured by ordinary "throwaway" filters (the kind you buy at the hardware store). To be fair, these filters were never designed to provide IAQ but to protect the equipment and at best can only catch the larger particles. This allows the smaller ones, tobacco smoke, pollen, dust mites, bacteria and pet dander to name a few, to circulate around in your house.

Now even in this time of allergies and smog alerts that can cause headaches, nausea, and other significant health problems, you can still come home and catch a breath of fresh air. Your HVAC system is the best way to provide the crisper, cleaner, safer air that is the hallmark of good indoor air quality as it circulates treated air throughout the entire house. Even with the furnace and/or air conditioner off, you can still enjoy the benefits of your air cleaner around the clock if you wish, by setting the fan on the thermostat to the "on" instead of "auto" position.

Like most things, filters come in different models and are rated by the efficiency (percentage) in which they remove the particles of contaminants. The higher the percentage rating, the smaller the particle the filter will stop. Ratings of the most popular types of filters are as follows:

FIBERGLASS: Most HVAC equipment is shipped with this type filter. It is the most inexpensive filter you can buy. It's 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 normally fits the same space as a Fiberglass filter, but does require modification to the ductwork and wiring to be installed in your HVAC system.

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.

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.

Regardless of the filter system you choose, the main idea is to filter all the air you circulate in your house and to remove as much particles and other indoor air contaminants needed to breathe cleaner air.