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Purifying Your Indoor Air

Indoor air quality

If you suffer from allergies or find that odors get trapped in your home then this blog is for you! We’ve put together 4 methods to freshen, filter, and purify the air in your home so you can escape allergy woes and breathe easier. 

Freshen Your Indoor Air

According to the EPA, “…the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”  The air we breathe gets recirculated through our HVAC system along with any pollutants that our HVAC system doesn’t block. And because homes are being built to higher energy standards they are more airtight, preventing outside air from entering and indoor air from exiting. Making for the perfect storm of bad air quality.

 

It may seem obvious, but simply removing sources of indoor air pollutants and opening your windows to flush stagnant air can help relieve some allergy symptoms.  However, if outdoor air quality is poor, due to smoke, pollen, smog, or dust/dirt, this may not be the most effective solution. 

 

Filtering Your Indoor Air

Using a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air [filter]) with a higher MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) will prevent smaller debris and particles from entering your air system.  The higher the rating of your filter, the more restrictive air flow can become. Restricting the airflow can also cause your HVAC system to work harder, so be sure not to exceed the recommended rating of your HVAC system. Also, inspect your air filter routinely (every 1 to 3 months depending on indoor and outdoor air quality) to ensure your HVAC system is receiving the proper airflow. To inspect your air filter, remove it from your HVAC system, hold it up to a light source, and check if you can see light through it. If you can’t see light through it, then it’s time to replace it. 


Going Beyond Filtration with Purification 

UV Light Purification to Help Prevent the Spread of Illness in the Home

While filters are great at catching small particles, they can’t catch everything. That’s where a whole-home air purifier like a Reme Halo or an Air Scrubber with ActivePure Technology can step in. These in-duct air purifiers use powerful UV lights to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi in your HVAC system. On top of that, they emit low levels of hydrogen peroxide that weigh down airborne particulates. Those particulates settle on surfaces where you can easily clean them up. These  purifiers also eliminate smoke, cooking odors, mildew odors, and more.

 

Portable Room Sized Air Purification

Portable room air purifiers like a Winix 5300-2 are a great option for allergy sufferers seeking relief in small areas. Portable air purifiers of this grade are typically designed for single rooms. These purifiers use a series of screen, HEPA, and activated carbon filters to trap particles and remove odors from the air.  These compact devices can be moved from room to room, providing localized air purification where it’s needed most. 

Manufacturers like Daikin and ActivePure also make portable room purifiers that utilize more advanced technology. Daikin has portable air purifiers that include UVC LED light that inactivates bacteria and viruses that are trapped in the HEPA filter.

ActivePure also has portable advanced filtration options that utilize their ActivePure technology as well as HEPA filtration, activated carbon, and negative ionization technology. 

Keeping your indoor air fresh and free from allergens can make a huge difference in quality of life. From inexpensive portable room devices to whole home air scrubbers there are several options to help you breathe easier. If you find that your indoor air needs improvement, feel free to reach out to a comfort advisor at Black Diamond Experts.

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