Why Your House's Indoor Air Quality is Important

March 25, 2020

The international growth of COVID-19 has likely flipped your daily calendar all over the place.

In uncertain times, you can take peace in knowing your residence is your safe space. You’re likely spending more time there nowadays. As a result, your indoor air quality is now more critical than ever.

Did you know we can install indoor air quality products in your residence that offer hospital-grade filtration? These solutions can clear bacteria from your air, as well as allergens, odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Up-to-date homes are firmly airtight, which is good for energy efficiency. But it also means your inside air can be worse than the air outside. In fact, the EPA says it can be two to five times worse than outdoors. This can cause a problem, since we spend about 90% of our days in a building.

There are many things that can cause poor indoor air quality, like cleaning products and air fresheners. These may lead to headaches and exasperate allergies and asthma.

There are a few things you can do to better your air quality. Some include improved air filters, an air purification system or an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light.

Not sure which option is a good fit for your residence? Our knowledgeable professionals can do an indoor air quality audit. Based off of the results, we can then recommend the most fitting solution for your home’s unique needs.

Keep on reading to find out more about the air quality products we offer.

 

Air Filtration

When comparing air filters, you should review the MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This assesses how successfully it filters air.

One of the most ordinary and lowest priced filters, flat fiberglass filters, are rated between 1 and 4 on the MERV scale. Pleated filters are slightly better, ranking between 8 and 12.

We recommend buying at minimum a MERV 13, for example, the HC13 Media Air Cleaner, for optimal outcome. This filter provides cleaner air while lowering energy needs*.

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are considered the benchmark in air filtration, because they’re typically installed in hospitals. They’re effective at catching 99.97–99.99% of indoor pollutants, such as pollen, pet dander and smoke.

Ahead of buying an upgraded filter, give us a call at 812-663-7252. Our experts can help you find the right solution for your system.

Air Purification

Lennox® provides some of the greatest air purification equipment you can buy. PureAir™ S and Healthy Climate™ PureAir Air Purification Systems offer hospital-grade filtration while taking care of all kinds of indoor air contaminants.

These powerful systems can take care of:

  • 99.9% of allergens, including pollen, dust and pet dander
  • 95% of bacteria-sized particles, including ones that lead to strep throat
  • 50% of VOCs and odors within 24 hours

UV Germicidal Lights

A UV germicidal light is placed on the inside of your comfort equipment. Its powerful rays eradicate bacteria and mold within seconds.

If your family struggles with allergies or asthma, this equipment might deliver relief. Especially if you are in a humid climate where bacteria and mold thrive.

This light also has an additional bonus for your HVAC equipment. It could help it work for a longer period of time and heat and cool more efficiently, because it keeps the internal components clean.

Our air quality engineers advise combining one of these lights with an enhanced filter, such as our Carbon Clean 16® Media Air Cleaner, for the best effect. This filter delivers industry-leading MERV 16 filtration combined with carbon-coated fibers to catch particles in your residence’s air. It does all of this without decreasing your HVAC equipment’s airflow.

Whole-Home Humidifiers

Having even humidity in your residence could help keep your family healthy during the winter. It can assist with sore throats, dry skin and peeling lips, in addition to other cold weather irritations.

If you aren’t sure of what your house’s humidity percentage is, we’ll determine it during your indoor air quality audit. While the range fluctuates based on outdoor temperatures, HVAC pros generally suggest keeping it between 40–60 percent.

You can accomplish this ideal range by using a whole-home humidifier. This equipment usually functions with your furnace or air handler to give optimum humidity throughout your home. Some equipment, like the Healthy Climate® Whole-Home Power Humidifier, contain an incorporated fan to move humidity while your HVAC equipment isn’t operating.

Rely on the Pros for Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

At Wallpe Heating & Cooling, we’re passionate about making your residence more relaxing. That’s why we offer Lennox® air quality options, which are the most comprehensive solution on the market.

We’re also more than just your heating and cooling company. We're concerned about the health of you and your household. That’s why we’re taking extra precautions when we visit your house.

To discover more about our air quality products, get in touch with us at 812-663-7252 or contact us online. Our friendly staff can also handle any concerns you could have with a pro arriving at your home today.

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*Based on in-duct testing that shows Healthy Climate® filters reduce airflow restriction. Greater restriction of airflow creates a greater load on a unit’s fan motor, increasing energy consumption.