5 Facts About Fighting Allergies with Air Filters
When it comes to the worst states in the U.S. for spring allergies, Kentucky and Ohio are among the top 20 worst offenders. And if you think you are safer indoors, think again. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazardous pollutants are 60 times greater indoors than outdoors. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental health risks. However, the good news is that research has shown that air filtration reduces these airborne allergens and can offer some relief.
Both the EPA and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration for people with allergies and asthma in conjunction with other allergy-fighting strategies. Get the facts you need to stay ahead of allergies and the havoc they wreak.
Contact Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air at 513-407-4424 to schedule an HVAC inspection and air filtration consultation today!
Facts You Should Know About Air Filters for Allergies
There is much misinformation about air filters and allergies floating around the internet that can send mixed messages about how best to combat allergies in your home or workplace. The following five facts address some of the most common myths that exist about air filtration and allergies.
Air Filters Have Three Essential Indicators That Determine Efficacy
Air filters are not all the same. An air filter’s efficacy hinges on three factors that encompass what is referred to as the “filter triangle.” A filter’s capacity, amount of airflow, and how well it traps particles should work equally together. If your filter is blocking airflow, or if it doesn’t hold enough particles, you won’t get the results you desire. An HVAC expert can help you determine the best type of filter for your home size and the needs of your household members.
The State of Your Ductwork and Filter Slot Can Impact Air Filtering
Air filters aren’t the only things that need to be evaluated regularly to ensure excellent air quality in your home. You could have the best filter out there, but if your ductwork is dirty or your filter slot isn’t well sealed, air can get circulated in your home without passing through the filter. Your HVAC technician can assess the state of your ductwork when they perform their biannual HVAC inspection.
Options for Air Filtering Systems Vary
There is no cookie-cutter approach to home air filtration success. Each environment is different and will require a combination of systems to keep your allergy-sensitive house members feeling their best. Some of the most popular air filtration systems include one or more of the following:
- Mechanical filters. The most common of these is the HEPA filter, a device that captures at least 90 percent of all particles 0.3 microns or larger in diameter that enter it. For HEPA filters to be effective make sure it has a CADR (clean air delivery rate) that matches the size of the room where you plan to use it.
- Electronic filters. These filters use electrical charges to attract and deposit allergens and irritants.
- Hybrid filters. As the name indicates, hybrid filters have both mechanical and electrostatic elements in the filters.
- A whole-house system. Whole-house air filtration systems can remove up to 99.98 percent of particles and allergens. The most cost-efficient filter for these systems is a disposable filter with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 11 to 13. The higher the MERV rating, the better.
Air Cleaning and Air Filtering Are Not the Same
Air purifiers are helpful tools for removing pollutants typically found in indoor air. Air purifiers work by forcing air through filters, which remove harmful contaminants. Ionic air purifiers like the iWave Air Purifier use electrically charged air molecules, or ions, to do the same job. Since air is full of positively charged ions (made up of dust, microbes, odors, airborne bacteria, allergens, and viruses), ionic air purifiers produce negatively charged ions that bond to the positively charged ions in your air. This enlarges the particles in your air, allowing for easier capture by your HVAC system’s filters.
HVAC Companies Should Test Ducts for Leaks Once a Year
Homeowners should schedule an annual duct inspection by a reputable HVAC company so that they can assess for leaks and seal them. This is also a good time for your HVAC technician to evaluate your filters and ensure your system is working at optimal efficiency.
How Schneller Knochelmann Can Help
Schneller Knochelmann technicians work with our Kentucky- and Ohio-based residents to ensure that their air quality is the best it can be. We offer our customers the best air filtration, ventilation, and purification systems available. The iWave Air Purifier can be installed in any duct air conditioning system. (We also produce a model designed for ductless HVAC systems.)
Now that you know the facts, it’s time to act. When it comes to the health of your household, don’t take any chances. Ensure you are doing your part with an HVAC system inspection and consultation today. Your efforts could make all the difference in the current and long-term health of your loved ones.
With over 90 years in the HVAC industry, the experts at Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air are prepared to get your household protected during allergy season. Contact us at 513-407-4424 to schedule an HVAC inspection and air filtration consultation today!