There are three primary categories of indoor air pollution you should be aware of. Maintaining your health and the health of your family can depend on it. Eliminating each type requires a unique approach, though there are some systems that can be effective against them all. These three groups include:
- Floating particles: Dander, dust, and pollen
- Gaseous vapors: Off-gassing of building materials, cleaning vapors and pet smells
- Biological life and aerosols: Viruses, bacteria and mold
Air Filters
Different types of filters can remove particles, microbial life and gaseous vapors. Some varieties can potentially get rid of all three types of indoor air pollution. They are available in portable systems or more commonly, as add-ins to your existing forced-air air conditioning system. Filtration is accomplished by a variety of means, including:
- Electrostatic filters
- Mechanical filters
- Activated carbon filters
UVGI
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is another common method of reducing indoor air pollution. The ultraviolet lights in these systems are fatal to many household microorganisms when the lights are installed in ductwork to shine on the air stream, or positioned to shine on vulnerable A/C components such as the evaporator coil. They can provide relief for those suffering from allergic reactions or other illness related to organic pollution. They often work as a supplement to other types of pollution removal as part of a comprehensive air-cleaning strategy.
Absorbents
Many gases, especially those released by the off-gassing of construction materials including paint, drywall, and wood, are difficult to remove from the air. One of the most effective solutions is the use of absorbent materials that draw harmful compounds in and hold them. They are often installed in combination with filters on preexisting air conditioning systems, but they also come in portable versions. However, absorbent materials must be replaced more frequently than primary filters since they begin to release gas into the air once they are full.
You and your family deserve clean air. For professional advice or information about what you can do to improve air quality or general home comfort, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We provide superior HVAC services to the Dayton-Springfield area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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