Air Purification and Air Quality
Innovative Solutions, Ultimate Comfort
Air Purification and Indoor Air Quality
There are several pollutants that are present in the air we breathe at home, and some parameters, which although not pollutants, need close monitoring. These being:
PM level: Particulate matter, or PM, is a mix of particles and droplets in the air. PM varies in shape and size, but those of 10 micrometers in diameter and smaller can adversely affect your health because they can be inhaled. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter—that with a diameter of two-and-one-half microns. PM1 is particulate matter measuring 1 micron.
Sufficient exposure to PM2.5 can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, leading to allergy-like symptoms and shortness of breath in otherwise healthy people. It can also exacerbate existing medical problems, such as asthma and heart disease. The World Health Organization considers PM2.5 the world’s single biggest environmental health risk.
VOCs can be found in many household products and building materials. Short-term exposure to the low levels of VOCs can cause throat irritation, nausea, fatigue, and other minor complaints. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of VOCs has been linked to more severe respiratory irritation as well as liver and kidney damage. Products can emit VOCs even when they’re in storage, though to a lesser extent than when they’re actively being used.
Most people are aware of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide. Even exposure to lower levels, sometimes given off by fuel-burning appliances, can also cause adverse reactions, including confusion and memory loss.
Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, according to the EPA. As it’s a byproduct of the naturally occurring breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks, and water, it’s ubiquitous both indoors and out. Typically, indoor radon levels must be checked using charcoal-based kits and require you to test your levels for up to 90 days. You then need to ship the kit to a lab for analysis and wait for the results.
An indoor air quality monitor with a radon sensor can provide faster results by monitoring levels in real time.
While the effects of high levels of CO2 were long thought to be benign, research has found that concentrations as low as 1,000 ppm can affect people’s cognitive function and decision-making performance.
The greatest source of indoor CO2 is people themselves, as it’s a byproduct of our respiratory function. Coupled with poor ventilation, this commonly leads to high levels of CO2 in many homes.
These levels can affect more than your comfort. High temps and excessive humidity promote mold and mildew growth. These can cause structural damage to your home and cause allergy-like symptoms in those with sensitivities. Monitoring these levels can help you prevent home and health problems and tip you off to potential sources like foundation cracks or leaks and poor insulation.
Air Quality Monitors
There are cable less, WiFi enabled devices to monitor various parameters of the air, and to send notification in case of breach of limits. They can operate as multiroom, in which case a central hub communicates with the different monitoring devices. The air parameters monitored are:
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches deep in the lungs causing short-term discomfort and long-term health risks.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are airborne chemicals emitted by everyday items – many are harmless but some are toxic.
You can’t see or smell it, but long-term exposure to this radioactive gas is the top cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
When it reaches high levels indoors, carbon dioxide (CO2) can cause poor sleep and trouble concentrating.
Temperature is not just a matter of comfort, it can negatively affect sleep quality, mood, and alertness.
High humidity promotes mold growth and aggravates asthma symptoms, while too-dry air can lead to skin and throat irritation.
Changes in air pressure affect radon levels and, for some, they can trigger headaches, joint stiffness and pain.
Air Purifiers
There are two key types of in-duct air purifiers:Â
- UV air purifiers
- Ionization air purifiers
In-duct air purifiers purify the air or ionize the air as it passes through ductwork. They work as well as, if not better than, most portable or in-furnace models.
UV Air Purifiers
You’ve heard that sunlight can kill germs, right? UV air purifiers aim to replicate the process of “sunlight killing germs” in a closed and controlled environment using UVV and UVC rays. A UV air purifier uses UV rays to neutralize harmful particles that pass through the air duct. Because air streaming through a home’s ducts has already passed through a filter, this method is predominantly used to neutralize germs, odors, and very small particles that can pass through a common HVAC filter.
Ionization Air Purifiers
Ionization air purifiers clean the air by electrically charging air molecules so that they bond with positively charged particles—including dirt, dust, smoke, soot, pollen, and germs. When the particles bond, they become heavy and fall on to the ground or a nearby surface, allowing them to be swept or vacuumed up over time.
There are also combo models, in which one purifier provides both UV and ionization purification.
Extended Media Filters
All furnaces come with a pre-installed filter designed to catch large particles in the air as they move throughout the HVAC system. An extended media filter is a thick set of specially designed MERV-rated filters, installed in-duct, that enhance the filtration powers of your existing system.
Extended media are considered passive air filters and come in a variety of makes and models. Many use polarized media to capture electrically charged particles in the filter.