How do you ensure the environment in your Dover, DE, home is healthy and comfortable? One way to do this is by choosing the best indoor air quality (IAQ) products that include elements of ventilation, filtration, humidification, and eradication.. Here are four tips for doing just that and improving the overall air quality in your home.
1. Ventilation
Stale air can cause several health problems, so it’s important to ensure that fresh air is circulating throughout your house and stale air is escaping. Opening a window when the weather is nice or using a fan when it’s hot are simple ways to ensure your home has proper ventilation. If you open a window or two, shut down your HVAC system completely to avoid wasting energy.
Mechanical ventilators are also quite effective at allowing an adequate supply of fresh air to flow freely throughout your house and exhausting stale air. To achieve the desired airflow and energy efficiency, HVAC companies balance ventilation devices based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard. That standard is typically 62.2.
At the same time, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) have gained popularity. They can be positioned, in many cases, between your home and the HVAC system. They remove stale air from your home, then draw in fresh outdoor air. In the process, ERVs preheat or precool the fresh air pulled into your house, which cuts down on energy costs while helping to reduce harmful pollutants.
2. Filtration
Filters use a rating known as the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). This is a measurement of the number of airborne particles that a filter can trap. The higher the MERV number, the more efficiently the filter traps particles.
Advanced filtration removes impurities from the air more effectively than standard filters purchased at home improvement stores. Media filter cabinets and electronic air cleaners are examples of advanced filtration systems that continuously provide long-lasting performance.
Electronic air cleaners use electrostatic precipitation to remove particulate matter from the air. A negatively charged surface on the filter attracts particles of dirt and dust for easy disposal.
Some filtration systems are compatible with programmable thermostats that adjust the fan speed according to the time of day or room temperature. This will help improve your system’s performance and improve indoor air quality because you can set a longer running time for your fan.
3. Humidification
Humidification ensures that the indoor air is comfortable for you and your family. In addition, when the air in your home has proper humidity, you won’t have to worry about biological growth damaging your house’s structural integrity.
Humidifiers help to maintain a consistent humidity level in your home, thus preventing dryness and boosting the effectiveness of air filtration products. Both “symptoms” are quite common in homes during the winter season.
There are several options when choosing a home humidifier, depending on your needs. For example, Aprilaire humidifiers are designed for whole-house humidification. They can be installed directly into your existing HVAC system that serves the entire house.
Humidifiers can also clean and filter the air. Adding moisture to the air traps particles such as allergens, dust, and dirt. This helps prevent respiratory conditions, such as asthma, from occurring.
4. Eradication
No matter how clean your home is, pollutants will always be present in the air. Pathogens multiply quickly, especially in environments that are warm and moist. These types of bacteria can cause infections and illnesses if not eliminated.
Invest in an ultraviolet (UV) light air purification system. A UV light kills all types of bacteria, viruses, and allergens trapped in your home’s air filters. Bear in mind they’re not effective in eliminating all pollutants but are great at removing some airborne germs.
Unsure which indoor air quality products will boost your comfort level the most? Let Griffith Energy Services help! Our team strives to deliver doggone dependable service to each and every customer. We’ll start with a complimentary estimate and, from there, explain which methods would increase the air quality in your home.
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