The HVAC system in your Pensacola, FL home filters your indoor air. This means that it extracts a number of small-sized particulates like pet hair, dander, dust, and other visible debris. However, HVAC filters are designed to protect HVAC systems. They don’t capture and retain micro-fine contaminants such as germs in a sneeze, aerosol sprays, or other hazards that could be influencing your health. Although there are many air purification technologies available, it’s important to find one that’s well suited to your environment and perfectly in line with the needs of everyone in your household.
What Won’t Work for Indoor Air Purification
Knowing what does and doesn’t work well for indoor air purification can save you a tremendous amount of money. To start, you should stop relying too heavily on your HVAC air filters. Standard filters extract particulates that are visible to the naked eye. The dust motes that you see floating around in the sunbeams near your windows and the stray pet hairs that drift around your rooms following movement are large enough to be captured by these components. Germs, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not. Moreover, air filtration isn’t air purification. Sifting contaminants out of the air is not the same as actually cleaning it.
You should also avoid wasting money on low-cost, freestanding air purifiers that extract smoke, smoke odors, and other micro-fine particulates in select building areas. Purifying the air in a single room will only provide indoor air quality (IAQ) benefits in that confined space. As soon as you open the door or turn your HVAC system on, new contaminants will flow in.
Integrated HVAC Accessories
The best forms of air purification are installed directly in HVAC air ducts. Often referred to as integrated HVAC accessories, they include:
- Whole-house air purifiers
- Air Scrubbers
- Media filters
When insufficient or excess humidity is a challenge as well, whole-house humidification or dehumidification equipment can also be a part of your IAQ improvement plan.
Each of these units is capable of either capturing or destroying micro-sized contaminants of various types. Air scrubbers work best in environments with high germ loads, recurring mold problems, and residents with compromised immunity. Air purifiers are great for eliminating chemicals released by household cleaning products, cooking, burning candles, smoking, and engaging in other activities. Media filters offer a level of filtration that far surpasses that of standard HVAC air filters, and they can collect a number of common indoor pathogens. The only way to find out which option will work best for your home is by scheduling an indoor air quality assessment. An IAQ assessment will allow professionals to design a customized, needs-specific, and optimally effective IAQ improvement plan.
Contact the Pros
Our professionals work hard to meet the heating and cooling needs of Pensacola, FL residents. We also provide ductless air conditioning, spray foam insulation, and indoor air quality services. If you’re ready to take a proactive approach to improve your home’s IAQ, give Bluewater Heating & Air a call today!
