Get Control of the Air Quality Inside Your Home
There are many effective methods for the modern homeowner to improve the air quality inside his or her home. From specially designed furnace filters to ultraviolet lamps, Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) - there are several options for those of us who are concerned about the quality of the air we are breathing in, and the resulting health of ourselves and our families. Below you will find several different tips for improving the air quality inside your home.
Most heating and cooling systems come standard with a 1” furnace or air conditioning filter. However, many homeowners are under the misconception that these filters are there to clean the air in the house. The truth is that these filters are usually only meant to protect your heating and cooling system - not to purify the air you breath and protect the health of your family. For a few dollars more though, one can make the worthwhile upgrade from a fiberglass filter to a pleated furnace air filter. These pleated air filters are far more efficient at removing small particles in your home's indoor air.
Ultraviolet lamps are also a great way to gain some air quality control. These lamps can be installed rather easily in the main supply or return duct of a central heating or air system. The air circulating in the ductwork of the average home or office can be concentrated with indoor air pollution and the UV rays have the ability to destroy the DNA of numerous microorganisi, which is why UV light is often used in hospitals, pharmacies and commercial kitchens.
Another way to improve your indoor air quality is to invest in a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). Both of these use fans to pull in fresh air, and force out stale air. The only real difference between a HRV and ERV is how they achieve their results. HRVs are generally recommended for colder climates with longer heating seasons and ERVs are used for warmer, more humid climates with long cooling seasons.
