August 7, 2015

Taking the steps to improve on indoor air quality will go a long way towards protecting the health of your family.

Indoor air quality is a hot topic in the HVAC industry right now. As homeowners scrambled over the last couple of years to air tighten their homes to save energy, they often created breeding grounds for all types of irritants. Fortunately, the industry has recognized this, and is now constantly working on ways to improve the quality of air in the home.

Poor indoor air quality can cause a host of problems, as the same polluted air is continually being circulated throughout your house. Not only can it irritate the lungs, and become dangerous for people with respiratory ailments like asthma, but it can cause mold and fungus growth. There are dozens of particles floating unseen in the air around you, but the most common irritants include:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Dust mites
• Cigarette smoke
• Mold spores

In order to help eliminate these from your St. Louis home’s breathing air, you now have a number of options to choose from.

HVAC Filters

Any forced air HVAC system relies on filters to remove large particles from the air. This was originally meant as a way of protecting the equipment and to keep the indoor components of the machinery clean, but they also work at keeping the particles out of the breathing air. If you are using basic filters for your HVAC system, talk with your HVAC technician about upgrading to a higher quality material that will trap smaller particles as well. In either case, HVAC filters are only effective if they are replaced as necessary.

Extended Media Filters

Extended media filters are designed to fit inside of your ductwork in order to trap particles before the air is released through the vents. These are around 8 inches thick and need to be installed professionally by your St. Louis HVAC company. The problem with them is that their thickness slightly obstructs air flow, putting extra strain on your blower fans. Like with standard filters they also need to be changed in order to continue being effective.

Electronic Air Cleaners

This type of device relies on creating an electric charge in order to rid the air of unwanted particles. This is an effective method that doesn’t need to be replaced the way that filters do. They will require cleaning by your HVAC tech during routine maintenance calls in order to ensure that they are giving your HVAC system maximum performance.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Rather than trapping airborne particles, an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system kills any organic materials like mold spores and bacteria. This, used in conjunction with a high quality filter will improve on your indoor air quality. Your HVAC technician will examine your current system to help determine the best location for their placement.