Do you think you might need an air purification system? Your home likely has pollutants that are causing concerns. If so, you may need advice on which air purification system to install.
Benefits
A number of pollutants can plague homeowners, including mold, fungus, bacteria and viruses, dust, pollen, pet dander and tobacco smoke. Using air purifiers to treat these pollutants can relieve symptoms of allergies and other respiratory problems, and control unsightly dust in your home. They can also remove odors and may even help a home’s occupants sleep better.
The Right Air Purification System for the Job
Following are some types of air purification systems and advice on which pollutants they treat.
- UVGI – Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UGVI) lights installed inside your HVAC system will destroy mold spores by breaking down the DNA of cells so that they cannot reproduce. UVGI lights also help control bacteria.
- Gas-phase carbon filters – Gas phase carbon-activated filtration treats tobacco smoke and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, tuolene, xylene and other gases given off by pressed wood, paint, cleaning products and other chemicals. It is typically used with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration.
- HEPA – HEPA filtration traps the very smallest particles of dust, viruses, bacteria, mold and others. However, most residential HVAC systems would require extreme modifications before they could be equipped with a HEPA filter.
- Electrostatic filtration – These units use a mesh filter with a static charge to attract particles, which are then collected on a plate. They trap dust, pollen, pet dander and other particles.
- Pleated air filters – Installing a better quality pleated air filter in your HVAC system will improve your indoor air quality by trapping most small particles. Use a filter rated from 8 to 12 on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale. Any higher, and the filter may impede airflow.
To learn more about the air purification system that’s right for you, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air purification systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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