For those of us who live in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield, our home is our refuge. It is where we relax in comfort with family and friends. On a more basic level, it is also our shelter where we seek safety from outside weather and elements.
Yet here’s what many people do not know: The air we breathe within today’s tightly built houses is full of contaminants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it can be even more polluted than urban smog.
That’s hard to fathom. Even more, visible impurities such as dust and dirt are only the start of what’s in the air. We also breathe a microscopic stew of mold, bacteria, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, dead skin cells and, if there’s a smoker, cigarette toxins.
The EPA further identifies gaseous poll
utants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They leach from floori
ng and furniture as well as chemicals from pesticides and cleaning products. They can even be found in air fresheners and computer printers.
Over time all of these impurities can become irritating and even hazardous to health. This is particularly true for people with allergies, coughs, sinus problems or breathing difficulties. The question may then become whether you need a whole-house air purifier for your HVAC system.
What Is a Whole-House Air Purifier for HVAC?
The standard air filters we use in our heating and cooling equipment help remove dust from the air in our homes. Some filters are also made to trap other unwanted particles, a capability often measured by a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating.
However, even more-sophisticated standard filters reach limitations in improving air quality. Whole-house air purification involves the installation of filters in your HVAC system’s return-air ductwork. They filter the air that passes through them when the blower fan is running.
The following are a few common whole-house air purification components:
High-Energy Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter. These filters can trap larger particles (.3 microns and bigger) such as dust from entering your home’s air.
HVAC Ultraviolet Light Air Purifier. UV technology often accompanies HEPA air filters. Where the HEPA filter will capture larger particles, the ultraviolet light air purifier can rapidly neutralize microorganisms such as bacteria that might otherwise enter your air.
Carbon Activated Filter. This is a good choice if your main concern is removing odors, smoke and VOCs. These filters contain tiny absorbent pores for trapping contaminants as they pass through.
Electrostatic Air Purifier. Many air purifiers include electrostati
c fields to capture pollutants as small as .1 micron. Electrostatic air purifiers trap the particles with static electricity generated by air passing through static-prone fibers.
Ionizing Air Purifier. An ionizing air purifier uses negatively charged particles to attract positively charged air pollutants. As the polluted particles gather, they gain weight, fall from the air and attach to surfaces.
True Believers in Air Quality
Here at Air Dynamics, we’re passionate about the quality of your indoor air, particularly as it concerns today’s advanced technology. Working with us, you can greatly improve your air at home in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield. This can be especially helpful in winter, when illnesses such as the flu become more pervasive.
Do you need a whole-house air purifier for your HVAC system? Perhaps now is the time to ask yourself. Beyond cleaning the air you breathe, a whole-house air purifier benefits your system. Dirt, dust and debris are major causes of equipment failure. By cleaning air before it cycles through your home, you help keep your equipment in top condition throughout the year. This benefits performance life as well as your annual energy costs.
Contact Us Today
Air Dynamics is your partner in better, cleaner air that is good for you while it cools or heats your home. We can help you determine if you need a whole-house air purifier for your HVAC system, as well as advise you about the right type. Give us a call at (630) 731-1550 to speak with an air-quality specialist who can serve you in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield.
