Residential Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Filtration

An air filter is one of the most important parts of the HVAC system. It is designed to stop airborne contaminants from the entering the system and causing failures. It is often the most overlooked aspect of making sure the system continues to operate at factory fresh condition. Most homeowners neglect to replace their air filters when the system really needs it and instead default to the time recommendation on the actual air filter. The life expectancy of an air filter should not be determined by the estimation on the package, but by the demand in the home. Homeowners don’t have the expertise or tools to determine when an air filter needs to be replaced. So, homeowners can continue to replace their air filters when they remember to, or they can now use an air filter that will last a year and can be changed by their HVAC contractor during the annual maintenance on the HVAC system.

A media air cleaner is the best option for a homeowner that doesn’t remember to change their filters regularly. It is commonly installed at the base of the furnace in either the attic, basement, garage, closet, or mechanical room. It is much better than a 1” filter at keeping the system clean, all while removing respiratory irritants from the air like dust mite feces, skin flakes, pollen, and pet dander.

Purification

For decades, ultraviolet light has been used to destroy harmful microbes. UV technology can be added to home HVAC systems to protect the health of those vulnerable to respiratory illness. In addition to protecting respiratory health, ultraviolet light is also used to protect the HVAC system. The evaporator coil is cold, dark, and damp for most of the year, which is the perfect breeding ground for organic growth. By irradiating that space with UV light, we keep the system running at its peak efficiency.

Ventilation

Homes today are built very tight in order to be more energy efficient. The downside to a tightly built home is that the same stale, stagnant, sick air gets recirculated by the HVAC system. When the air inside homes becomes so contaminated that occupants start to get sick is what the E.P.A. calls this “sick building syndrome.” ¹ In a home with “sick building syndrome” occupants experience acute health or comfort related illnesses, directly related to spending time in the home. Often times, no specific illness or cause can be identified. The E.P.A. has identified inadequate ventilation as a common cause of “sick building syndrome.” Adding a fresh air ventilation system helps minimize the impact of sick building syndrome by bringing in fresh outdoor air into the home to dilute the polluted indoor air that families would normally be breathing. Ventilation has become so important that it is a code requirement in most jurisdictions that new homes have adequate ventilation systems installed due to how tight and energy efficient the home is.

Humidification

The amount of moisture in the air determines the overall comfort and health of the air. Extremes in humidity (high or low) cause most people to be uncomfortable. The extremes also create a better breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi. By adding a whole house humidifier or dehumidifier to the HVAC system, you’re able to regulate the amount of moisture found in the air inside a home, thereby creating a cleaner, more comfortable indoor environment.

In addition to creating a cleaner, safer indoor environment, a whole home humidifier will also protect wood flooring and furniture from expanding, contracting, and cracking. In fact, many wood flooring manufacturers will only warranty their flooring as long as adequate humidity levels are maintained in the home.

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1: EPA Citation - Sick Building Syndrome