Why Your House's Indoor Air Quality is Important

March 25, 2020

The international spread of COVID-19 has likely flipped your daily schedule upside down.

When things feel uncertain, you can take peace in knowing your house is your safe area. You’re probably spending more time there now. As a result, your indoor air quality is now more important than ever.

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

Modern residences are firmly closed, which is good for energy efficiency. But it also means your indoor air can be worse than the air outside. In reality, the EPA says it can be two to five times worse than outdoors. This might lead to issues, since we spend about 90% of our time inside.

There are many elements that can contribute to poor indoor air quality, including cleaning products and air fresheners. These could lead to headaches and exasperate allergies and asthma.

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

Unsure which system is right for your residence? Our skilled pros can conduct an indoor air quality audit. Based on the results, we can then suggest the most fitting choice for your family’s distinctive needs.

Keep reading to find out more about the air quality equipment we provide.

 

Air Filtration

When browsing air filters, you should look at the MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This gauges how effectively it filters air.

One of the most ordinary and most economical filters, flat fiberglass filters, are rated between 1 and 4 on the MERV register. Pleated filters are slightly better, graded between 8 and 12.

We recommend upgrading to at least a MERV 13, for instance, the HC13 Media Air Cleaner, for the most ideal results. This filter provides cleaner air while lowering energy needs*.

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

Before getting a better filter, reach us at 803-265-4208. Our experts can help you find the best match for your system.

Air Purification

Lennox® has some of the greatest air purification units you can get. PureAir™ S and Healthy Climate™ PureAir Air Purification Systems offer hospital-grade filtration while managing all categories of indoor air contaminants.

These powerful systems can take care of:

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

UV Germicidal Lights

A UV germicidal light is installed within your HVAC system. Its strong rays wipe out bacteria and mold within seconds.

If your family struggles with allergies or asthma, this unit can give relief. Especially if you are in an extremely hot part of the country where bacteria and mold thrive.

This light also offers an additional bonus for your HVAC unit. It might help it last longer and run more efficiently, since it keeps the internal pieces clean.

Our air quality engineers advise installing one of these lights with an upgraded filter, such as our Carbon Clean 16® Media Air Cleaner, for the best results. This filter delivers industry-leading MERV 16 filtration plus carbon-coated fibers to trap particles in your residence’s air. It does all of this without limiting your heating and cooling system’s airflow.

Whole-Home Humidifiers

Acquiring correct humidity in your residence may help keep your loved ones healthy when it’s chilly. It can assist with sore throats, flaky skin and chapped lips, among added cold weather irritations.

If you don’t know what your home’s humidity percentage is, we’ll determine it while we perform your indoor air quality audit. While the range changes based on outdoor temperatures, HVAC pros generally advise keeping it between 40–60 percent.

You can achieve this optimum range by installing a whole-home humidifier. This unit usually functions with your furnace or air handler to deliver optimum humidity around your house. Some models, like the Healthy Climate® Whole-Home Power Humidifier, have a built-in fan to spread humidity when your HVAC unit isn’t on.

Turn to the Experts for Your Indoor Air Quality Necessities

At Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc., we’re committed to making your home more comfortable. That’s why we provide Lennox® air quality options, which are the most complete solution you can get.

We’re also more than just your heating and cooling company. We're concerned about the wellness of you and your family. That’s why our technicians are taking added precautions when we visit your residence.

To discover more about our air quality solution, reach us at 803-265-4208 or contact us online. Our knowledgeable staff can also handle any apprehension you can have with a technician visiting your house now.

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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.