One aspect of home health and indoor comfort that many people don’t pay much attention to is indoor air quality. The fact that most people spend over 90% of their time inside is one reason why indoor air quality is so important. Spending so much of your time indoors often means continually breathing in various pollutants that have the potential to negatively impact your health in both the short and long term. Let’s explore the important role an HVAC system can play in your home’s air quality.
Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
All homes have a variety of things in them that contribute to air quality issues. That’s the main reason why indoor air is usually anywhere from two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. One major concern is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in so many different products. VOCs are a category of gaseous chemicals that continually react and “off-gas” or get released into the air.
Formaldehyde and other common household VOCs are found in a huge number of items present in almost every home. This includes a wide variety of building materials and furnishings, such as wood glues, adhesives, varnishes, stains, carpet, composite and vinyl flooring, mattresses, couches and more. Most chemical cleaning products also release different VOCs as do many different types of cosmetics, laundry detergents, dryer sheets and fabric softeners. You may be surprised to learn that cooking indoors is also a major contributor to airborne pollution.
In addition to all of the sources of air pollution present in a home, another issue is that most modern homes are fairly airtight and don’t have adequate ventilation. That means all of the pollution stays trapped in the house as there is no way to get rid of the polluted air and replenish the house with cleaner air from outside.
The Effect an HVAC System Can Have on Indoor Air Quality
When it comes to indoor air quality, your home’s HVAC system can be one of your best allies or one of your worst enemies. The primary concern is that as your HVAC system runs, it draws in much of the dust, allergens and pollutants present in some areas and then spreads them throughout the rest of the house. An HVAC system can also increase the chances of everyone in the household getting sick by spreading bacteria or viruses around the house.
While many people think the air filter in an HVAC system prevents this from happening by filtering everything out and preventing it from getting spread around, that isn’t always the case. The basic 1-inch air filters most people use in their HVAC system are really only meant to serve one purpose. That’s to filter out things like dust, hair and lint. That way, fewer of these particles get sucked into the central part of the system where they could then clog or gunk things up, leading to issues with poor performance and decreased energy efficiency.
Some residential air filters are more efficient and able to filter out at least some smaller particles, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites and mold spores. Nonetheless, most basic air filters are almost entirely ineffective against many other pollutants and contaminants, including VOCs, chemical fumes, bacteria and viruses.
How Your HVAC System Can Improve Indoor Air Quality
One way that you can make at least a slight improvement in indoor air quality and reduce the amount of allergens in your house is to use an air filter with a higher MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating. Residential HVAC air filters start at MERV 5-6 and go up to MERV 12. A MERV 6 filter will have very little impact other than trapping dust. A MERV 10 or MERV 12 filter is a great option for allergy sufferers and people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses as it will trap a fairly large percentage of allergens. The only concern with a 1-inch MERV 12 filter is that it can restrict the airflow in the HVAC system quite a bit, potentially resulting in a drop in the system’s performance and energy efficiency.
An even better option is to have an HVAC contractor adapt your ductwork to accommodate a media filter or an electronic air cleaner. Media filters are between 4 and 6 inches thick and contain a much larger amount of pleated filter material. This allows them to work far more effectively than basic filters without restricting the airflow in the HVAC system all that much. You can find media filters up to MERV 15 or 16 that can filter out bacteria and viruses as well as over 90% of allergens and many other pollutants. Electronic air cleaners work differently but can be just as effective at filtering out airborne particles. These units use electricity to create a static electric field that charges particles as they pass through it. This causes the particles to get attracted and cling to special plates within the unit so that they get removed from the air.
Whole-home air purification systems are generally the most effective option for tackling all indoor air quality issues. Most of these systems combine a highly efficient media filter with other purification methods, such as UV lights that can kill bacteria, viruses and mold spores. Some also release oxidizing agents into the air that attract VOCs and other chemicals. The agents then produce a reaction that changes the chemicals into harmless byproducts like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
How Duct Cleaning Can Also Improve Indoor Air Quality
Having an HVAC company fully clean your entire ductwork system every few years is another great way to overcome some indoor air quality issues. Many people are surprised to learn just how much dust and debris collects inside air ducts over time. The dust can then end up trapping pollen and other allergens. Dirty air ducts are also an attractive nesting spot for cockroaches, mice and other pests, meaning keeping your ductwork clean can reduce the risk of pest infestations. In addition to greatly reducing the amount of allergens your HVAC system spreads, duct cleaning can also make the system work more effectively. That’s because air will then be able to flow through the ducts more smoothly and not meet the same level of resistance it does when the ducts are filled with dust and debris.
Since 2002, M&S Air Conditioning has been helping home and business owners in Leesburg, The Villages and the surrounding communities with their HVAC and indoor air quality needs. We offer a wide variety of options for tackling any type of air quality issue, including air purifiers, UV lights and more. You can also turn to us if you need to have your ductwork cleaned or resealed or if you’re having any issues with your air conditioning or heating. To learn more about our indoor air quality services, contact us today.
