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 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 dangers. A couple of the usual indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a few common terms traditionally used when speaking about indoor air quality, so make sure you understand 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 produced 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 boosting your home’s indoor air quality.
MERV
MERV is short for “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in simpler terms, it says the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can range from 1-16 with the higher rating removing more contaminants and allergens without impacting 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 system.
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 make sure the air in your home is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a ring at 402-509-5940 to arrange an appointment with us.