Address Three Types of Indoor Air Pollution With These Air Purifiers

Indoor air pollution is pretty much unavoidable, and – what’s worse – pollution actually tends to concentrate within your house more than it would outside. Inside, you don’t have natural air currents clearing the air on a regular basis; your circulation is more or less dependent on your HVAC system’s fans, which may or may not be on at any given time. That’s why changing your air filter regularly is so important for home comfort and health. It’s also why many homeowners turn to air purifiers to boost their indoor air quality.

Indoor pollutants can be divided into three main types, each with their own removal strategies:

1. Dust, dander, pollen, and other particulates These, and other detritus from normal day to day activities, can trigger allergies and clog up HVAC systems. They’re some of the easiest pollutants to handle, though: fiber-mesh filters can catch them and remove them from your indoor air supply. Extended media filtration, HEPA air purifiers, and electrostatic air cleaners all deliver advanced degrees of protection against these particulates as well.
2. Microorganisms such as mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses These biological troublemakers can cause serious health issues, especially in the very young, the elderly, and others with weaker immune systems. While standard filtration can help to catch mold and mildew spores and some bacteria, some bacteria and most viruses are too small to be captured. HEPA filtration, used widely in hospital settings, can filter out particulates as small as viruses, but one of the most effective options is a UV light installed within your HVAC, which sterilizes the air and destroys these microorganisms.
3. Gases and vapors Whether they’re cooking fumes or vapors offgassed from chemicals such as paints and household cleaners, these lung and sinus irritants can be difficult to handle. They pass straight through filter media and don’t break down under UV lights. Gas-phase (or active carbon) air filters actually absorb these gases in order to remove them from your indoor air supply.

To learn more about air purifiers and controlling the indoor air quality in your New England home, contact us at Sobieski Services, Inc.

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