Your Options for Improving Indoor Air Quality
July 18, 2023
Did you know that the air inside your home may be many times more polluted than the air outside? You don’t need to open your windows to the freezing winter air to find a solution for easier breathing this winter. Keep reading to discover the many options at your disposal to improve indoor air quality in your Columbus home for a healthier family year-round.
Furnace Filters
Upgrading the type of furnace filter you are using is a simple solution for better indoor air quality. Many homes incorporate a simple flat fiberglass or polyester disposable filter. While these filters are inexpensive, they are also less efficient than superior models. Check your local home improvement store for a furnace filter that is both pleated and electrostatically-charged. Pleated filters have a higher surface area than non-pleated options, improving their ability to capture more particles. Electrostatically-charged filters attract dust and other charged particles like a magnet, improving the efficiency of your filter. Regardless of the filter you choose, make sure it is the correct size for your HVAC system and installed properly. Replace your filter regularly to enjoy the best results; a dirty filter will not contribute to cleaner indoor air.
Electronic Filters
If you’re looking to improve indoor air quality past the ability of a disposable furnace filter, an electrostatic air cleaner may be the best solution for your home. Electrostatic air cleaners can be installed separately from your HVAC system in just a few minutes. These appliances look like an air register, but create an electrostatic field that attracts charged particles such as dirt, dust, smoke, and smog, collecting them on aluminum plates inside the unit. Studies have shown that electrostatic air cleaners are 30 times more efficient than a disposable furnace filter at removing particles from indoor air. These units are easy to maintain, requiring only that the aluminum plates be cleaned with soapy water every few months.
Ultraviolet Filters
Ultraviolet filters utilize ultraviolet light to destroy pathogens that reside in your HVAC system or circulate through your home’s air. These filters can be installed in your current HVAC system, killing bacteria, viruses, and molds much the way an insect zapper disposes of pests. UV filters are used throughout the country in hospitals and other medical facilities to reduce the risk of infection. These filters are extremely beneficial if you or your family members are concerned about mold, illness, or infection. Photocatalytic oxidation cleaners combine UV light with a catalyst that causes a reaction to eliminate pollutants circulating through your home in gas form, converting them into harmless byproducts.
Improving your indoor air quality will lengthen the lifetime of your HVAC equipment and reduce the harmful effects of pollutants on your health. You can learn more about the components of your home’s HVAC system when you visit our Learning Center page. Do you still have questions about how to choose or install the best air filtration system for your home? Click through our website for more information or to contact an HVAC expert in the Columbus area.