A tightly-sealed home prevents excess strain on your HVAC system, but such
a sealed environment can negatively impact your indoor air quality. The
quality of your indoor air affects not only the function and efficiency
of your HVAC system, but your health and comfort while at home as well.
Central heating and cooling systems utilize an air filter to screen particles
out of incoming air, such as dust, pollen, animal dander, and other airborne
pollutants. However, these filters are only the most basic tool in your
arsenal to fight poor-quality indoor air. There are a number of additional
air quality products you can add to your home’s HVAC system for
cleaner, healthier indoor air throughout the year.
Electronic Air Cleaners
Electronic air cleaners are designed to fit into your HVAC system as a
permanent addition. These air cleaners function using the same basic principles
as a standard air filter to screen particles from the air, but utilize
one added feature: electrostatic charge. By creating an electrostatic
charge and running it across its filter medium, electronic air cleaners
attract dirt, dust, and other charged particulates to the filter, where
they effectively become stuck to the filter medium. This medium is reusable—every
so often, you’ll need to remove the filter medium and wash it, then
you can simply replace it and restart your electronic air cleaner for
continued operation.
UV Lamps
Ultraviolet (UV) light is comprised of energetic photons. Since 1903, scientists
have known that exposing bacteria and viruses to concentrated UV light
will kill them, and
UV lights have been used to sanitize hospital and healthcare facility air for decades.
Today, you can gain the same benefits at home by installing a UV lamp
in your HVAC system—all that’s required is a small hole cut
in your ductwork above the air handler, through which the lamp is fitted
so it can illuminate air as it moves through your HVAC system and into
your ductwork for distribution to the living areas of your home. UV lamp
maintenance is minimal, with most bulbs lasting an average of one full
year before requiring replacement.
Humidifiers
Not all indoor air quality products focus on cleansing your indoor air.
While clean air is important, factors such as humidity can also affect
your health and comfort, as well as the longevity of your belongings and
even the finishes in your home. Air that is too dry can cause static electricity
to build up, as well as irritate the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Dry
air can also damage your home’s finishes over time, causing them
to crack or peel. Whole-home humidifiers are installed as part of your
home’s heating system, adding humidity to the air after your furnace
heats it. During the summer, you should turn off the power and water to
your humidifier to keep it in good shape. Additionally, the humidifier’s
evaporative pad should be changed periodically to ensure it stays clean
and mold-free to keep your home’s air clean as well.
Your Columbus-area HVAC service can help you make the right choice when
it comes to purchasing, installing, and maintaining products to improve
your indoor air quality. Please look through our
website to learn more about the products and services we offer, or take a look at our
blog for more home heating, cooling, and air quality tips.