Often, on our blog, we talk about changing the air filter of your furnace or your air conditioner. We remind you to do this job monthly when the system is in use. But what you might not know is that the air filter that is part of a furnace or AC unit is designed just to protect that system from grit and particles getting into its own workings — not to keep your air clean.
To improve indoor air quality, you need an air filter that is actually designed to clean the air of your home and make it better for you to breathe. We recommend a whole house air filtration system. How do those work? Do you really need one? Let’s consider.
What’s in the Air?
It might seem obvious that there can be some dust in the air. Did you know that this dust is largely made up of your own dead skin cells? That’s what dust mites eat … so when there’s plenty of it, there will be plenty of dust mites. That leads to plenty of dust mite droppings, which people are often allergic to.
And there are other potential allergens commonly found in indoor air. Pollen, pet dander, and mold spores are some of the ones you’d be most likely to find in your home if you looked at a sample under a microscope, and many people have strong reactions to these. In fact, some molds have such powerful mycotoxins that people develop symptoms even when they don’t have allergies.
Another concern, especially in recent years, is the smoke from wildfires. Even after the majority of the smoke dissipates, particles are left behind. This includes alarming substances like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. If these work their way into your lungs, they can contribute to long-term respiratory problems. It’s much better to filter them out.
What About Portable Filters?
Small, portable models of air filter do exist. These are fantastic to bring with you into a small space — say, your classroom, if you’re a teacher. But they must use a motor to pull air in, they make a good bit of noise, and they can only process a small amount of air overall.
How Do Whole House Air Filters Work?
To address large amounts of air, you don’t need to use many portable filtration systems with many motors. Just make the best possible use of the system you already have! Your HVAC system uses ductwork to carry all the air that’s heated by your furnace or cooled by your air conditioner, so it can be distributed throughout the entire house. A whole house air filter connects to that.
With a filtration system professionally installed in your ductwork, all the air in your home will pass through the filter. Did you know there’s a National Air Duct Cleaners Association? Well, there is, and they state that all your home’s air will completely cycle through your ducts every 3–8 hours. With a whole house air filter in Skokie, IL, your air will be remarkably cleaner!
Contact ServiceMax with any questions about indoor air quality.