If you are a homeowner interested in improving your indoor air quality (IAQ), becoming aware of which classes of pollutants are present in your home is important in order to choose the most appropriate type of air cleaner to meet your needs. Different filters remove different types of air contaminants, although some high-end units are able to remove pollutants from all categories.
Common types of indoor pollution and their appropriate filtration devices include:
- Airborne particles such as dust, pet dander and pollen. These can be removed with a mechanical filtration system utilizing replaceable filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 5 or greater OR with an electronic air cleaner which generates an electric charge to trap airborne particulates.
- Odors and gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Activated carbon filters contained within gas-phase air cleaners can remove toxic VOCs commonly found in homes due to off gassing off of carpets, furniture, paints, personal care products, etc. as well as remove unpleasant odors. Filters must be changed regularly to remain effective.
- Microorganisms including mold, fungi, viruses, bacteria and dust mites. Air cleaners equipped with an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) air cleaner can destroy these particles by exposing them to a strong source of UV light. Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) cleaners and ozone generators are also effective at destroying microorganisms in your air.
Simpler air filtration units are available for each separate class of pollutants, while higher end devices are equipped with multi-stage filtration to remove all three of the major classes of indoor air contaminants. Whole house air filtration systems can be installed directly into your HVAC system while portable, free-standing units are designed to operate independently in the locations you need them most.
For more than five decades, the professionals at Arpi’s Industries LTD have been helping homeowners in the Calgary area meet their needs for maintaining a comfortable home. If you are interested in learning more about which air cleaner is most appropriate for your household needs, contact our friendly staff today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Image courtesy of Shutterstock
