It is spring and like most Americans, people in Tucson, Arizona are spending substantially more time in their homes to reduce the potential chance of catching the coronavirus (COVID-19). The use of face masks, hand sanitizer gel, and social distancing have become more commonplace when people visit “essential” businesses. However, that doesn’t eliminate their chances of exposure to the coronavirus.
Homeowners are being encouraged to keep their homes clean. Typically this is being done with a combination of cleaners, soaps, disinfectants, gels, and sprays. But how confident are you that the air you breathe inside your house is clean? Neglecting your air quality could put your health at risk. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside of your house can be a minimum of 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. That’s a good reason to consider an HVAC air purifier, or HVAC air filtration system. An HVAC air purifier can help to promote a healthy lifestyle by improving the air quality in your home.
Achieving fresh air with an HVAC air purifier
Many central HVAC systems use paper filters to help remove dust from the air; however, they are not very effective in removing microscopic particles that can be harmful to your health. Having a central air purification system installed in your ductwork, removes viruses, bacteria, dust, and mold from the air being circulated by your HVAC system.
Return on investment with an HVAC air purifier
Is it worth having an HVAC air purifier installed? If having clean air in your home is important, there is no doubt about it. For those persons concerned about existing or developing new respiratory problems, the installation of an air purifier should be an even stronger consideration.
Here are some examples of what an HVAC air purifier can do:
- Trap viruses and bacteria to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses
- Remove dangerous organic compounds from the air
- Trap pet dander and other allergens
- Block dust mites/dust
- Neutralize smoke from your kitchen or from smoked tobacco products
- Remove unpleasant odors from places like stoves, ovens and trash cans
Types of HVAC air filtration systems
Not all air purifiers do the same thing. Here is an overview of the various available types.
HEPA
One of the most common types of an HVAC air purifier system utilizes a heavy-duty HEPA (High Energy Particulate Air Filters) filter to trap the largest particles like dust. HEPA filters can trap more than 99-percent of airborne particles .3 microns and larger in size from entering your breathing space.
CARBON ACTIVATED FILTERS
A carbon activated filter is a good choice for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), smoke, and odor removal. These filters contain tiny absorbent pores to trap contaminants as they pass through the filter.
HVAC ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT AIR PURIFIER
Ultraviolet technology is often used in conjunction with HEPA air purifiers. While the HEPA filter will capture larger particles, an HVAC ultraviolet air purifier can kill tiny microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, using rays of UV light.
ELECTROSTATIC AIR PURIFIERS
Many HVAC air purifiers also contain electrostatic fields to capture microscopic particles as small as .1 micron in size, including viruses. Electrostatic air purifiers clean the air by using static electricity. An electrostatic charge is generated by air flowing through a network of static-prone fibers. The static charge traps airborne particles until the filter is washed.
IONIZING AIR PURIFIERS
An ionizing air purifier introduces negatively-charged particles that attract positively-charged air pollutants. As the particles group together, they become too heavy and fall from the air and attach to surfaces.
Other air purification considerations
PORTABLE UNITS
If your air purity concerns are confined to a small area, portable air purifiers are available to remove dust and vapor particles from the air in the vicinity of the unit. These standalone units are often used in businesses with air quality challenges in a particular area, such as in a salon.
DUCT CLEANING
If you suspect your HVAC system is not providing your home or business with optimal air quality, having the system’s ductwork cleaned by an HVAC professional is highly recommended. Ducts can accumulate harmful substances including dust, mold and mildew, which will hurt your air quality.
LEARN MORE FROM YOUR AIR QUALITY EXPERTS
Technology in the HVAC industry is constantly creating a new vision for how we can improve our environment and health in the comfort of your Tucson homes. At TRS, we offer products and services that keep you comfortable, healthier, and safe. Call 520-620-6590 or request service online today to learn more about our indoor air quality services.
