March 13, 2025
If you have poor respiratory health, you are not alone. About 10% of adults and nearly 7% of children have asthma, while 14% of adults have been diagnosed with some form of chronic lung disease, like COPD. Respiratory symptoms are common, and our homes are often to blame. Air ducts and other components can trap particulate matter and recirculate unhealthy fumes, leading to poor indoor air quality. Modern air filters can remove many indoor air pollutants from your home. We can help you understand your options and pick the right filters for the job.
You Need Clean Air
Poor air quality is a common consequence of modern lifestyles. Many household products, such as paint, glue, and cleaning supplies, release harmful fumes. Your furniture can also introduce volatile organic compounds into your home. Our pets contaminate the air with their dander, and dust can build up in any house. Most buildings contain a diverse collection of pollutants, and they can all cause serious health problems.
Air pollution contributes to some of the most frequent and irritating respiratory issues. Dust, spores, and pollen are common allergens that can cause coughing, congestion, and sneezing. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks or irritate your respiratory system. Volatile organic compounds can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, especially in concentrated doses. Dirty air can even disrupt your sleep and reduce your ability to focus. In the long run, poor indoor air quality will hurt both your physical and mental health.
Unfortunately, modern buildings make it easy for pollutants to accumulate. Architects often try to maximize energy efficiency, and they do that by reducing airflow. That leads to poor ventilation, which traps contaminants inside the structure. Frequent cleaning can remove some of the particles, but it is not enough to solve the problem. If you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality, you should use an air filtration system.
Whole-House Systems Provide Superior Protection
Some air filters offer more protection than others. While portable air purifiers are widely available, they may not meet your needs. They can clean the air inside a small room, but they cannot protect an entire building. Whole-house air purifiers are significantly larger and offer more coverage. They are the best option for homeowners who want a comprehensive solution to air pollution.
Traditional Filters Trap Particles
You can attach various air filters to your HVAC system. Most of them work by pulling air through a filtration medium, which is made of tangled fibers. Air molecules are tiny, which means they can pass through small gaps in the medium. Large particles cannot fit through those holes, so they get stuck on the outside of the filter. A few small contaminants can make it through the gaps, but they tend to adhere to the medium. While some particles may make it through the filter, most will get stuck.
Traditional air filters have a MERV rating, which measures their ability to trap small particles. A high MERV rating indicates a system that will eliminate most airborne debris. On the other hand, those filters can suffer from poor airflow. In general, we advise our customers to choose filters with relatively high MERV ratings, which will ensure adequate performance. You can also ask an HVAC professional to help you choose the right system for your home.
These conventional filters are the best tools for eliminating dust and other particulate matter. They can provide relief from allergic reactions and general respiratory symptoms. Unfortunately, they cannot protect you from volatile organic compounds or other gaseous chemicals. If you want additional protection, you need to combine several filters.
Carbon Filters Eliminate Fumes
Activated carbon filters use a chemical reaction to neutralize volatile organic compounds. They can also remove several other fumes and eliminate foul odors. As chemicals pass through the filter, they come into contact with the activated carbon. The two substances react, which creates a thin film on the filter. Air does not react with carbon, so it can pass through the system. The process is highly efficient, and you can rely on it to remove plenty of harmful chemicals from the air.
These filters are particularly important for painters, remodelers, and hobbyists. If you regularly use craft supplies, you will expose yourself to harmful fumes. They are likely to build up in your workshop and cause respiratory problems. A specialized carbon filter will allow you to enjoy your hobby without compromising your health.
UV Lamps Deactivate Microbes
Biological contaminants can also be significant threats to your health. Some bacteria and viruses spread through the air, and they are responsible for serious diseases. While traditional air filters can capture some microbes, others are small enough to escape the system. You can only destroy them with specialized tools. UV lamps are one of the most effective options for most homeowners.
Bacteria and viruses are highly vulnerable to light in the UV-C spectrum. The light can also destroy some fungi and their spores. It works by disrupting their DNA, which stops the cells from performing basic metabolic functions. That is enough to deactivate the cells and prevent them from reproducing. The process is unlikely to eliminate every microbe in the air, but it can deactivate most of the cells and reduce your risk of exposure.
You can take advantage of germicidal UV lamps without exposing yourself to UV light. We can install a set of lamps inside your HVAC system. They will disinfect the air, but the light will not escape from their sealed compartments. The UV lamps will also protect the rest of your HVAC equipment from fungal growth. That can improve your system’s lifespan and increase its overall performance.
Routine Maintenance to Protect Your Investment
All those air filtration systems benefit from regular maintenance because some minor issues are inevitable. For example, all air purifiers include moving parts, such as fans. Those components can wear out, and they occasionally loosen or jam. That can interfere with airflow, which reduces the system’s efficiency. Air filters can also suffer from clogs, loose connections, and other small problems.
You can boost your system’s performance by scheduling maintenance to address those issues. The process is relatively simple, but it requires specialized training. One of our technicians will inspect your air filter and identify potential problems. Our team will also clean the system and replace damaged parts. In most cases, we can finish the tune-up within a few hours. This is a quick process that will ensure that your air is as clean as possible.
Purify the Air
Air filtration is complicated, but you do not have to be an expert to have clean air in your home. You can leave all the hard work to our team. At Scott-Lee Heating Company, we provide comprehensive air quality services to the St. Louis area, including air filter installation, as well as residential and commercial HVAC installation and maintenance, HVAC zoning, metalwork, heat pump servicing, and more. Our technicians will work with you to find the best solution to your air quality problems.
Call Scott-Lee Heating Company to learn more about air filtration and other air quality services, including air filtration systems.