The fact that the air we breathe often contains contaminants is something that most people already know. What many don’t realize however is that the air in your own home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. This increase in indoor pollution makes HVAC air purifying systems an important factor in maintaining your health.
Dangers of Indoor Air Contaminants
The air inside the home can contain many contaminants, including dust, pet dander, molds, chemicals, cigarette smoke, bacteria, and tiny particles that can be released by cockroaches, dust mites, and other pests found in the home.
Indoor air quality is also affected by the release of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide that are released into the air by fuels such as gas, coal, wood, and oil that are used to run appliances.
Exposure to these contaminants can cause a wide range of immediate health issues, including:
- Allergic Reactions
- Asthma Attacks
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
There are also long term health issues related to indoor air quality and pollutants, and these can include heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and even death when exposure to indoor contaminants continues for extended periods of time.
Addressing Indoor Air Quality
While the risks associated with indoor air quality are high, it is possible to remove many of the pollutants and contaminants in the air of your home. Deep cleaning of carpets, furniture, bedding, and areas containing dust are all important methods of minimizing the amount of pollutants in the air, but in most cases, this does not remove all of the harmful chemicals in the air you breathe.
Air pollutants are measured in microns, and the nose and throat are effective at trapping and expelling particles that are 10 microns or larger. However, most of the pollutants in the air are much smaller, which means that the body’s natural line of defense in keeping these harmful contaminants out of the lungs is ineffective.
HVAC Air Purifying Systems
One of the most effective means of protecting your health is a properly installed HVAC air purifying system. These systems are added to the heating and central air conditioning units and use specially designed filters that go above and beyond the most commonly used filters used in these appliances. These systems incorporate filters that have been proven to be more effective at trapping smaller particles found in the air, thereby improving indoor air quality.
Air Purifying Systems and Your Health
Whole house air purifying systems have been proven to minimize the amount of contaminants found in the air of your home. In fact, HEPA filtration, which is the type of air filtration used in whole house systems, has been proven to remove as much as 80% of the air pollutants, which is considerably higher than the 20% removed by the filters that are typically used by furnaces and central air conditioning units in the home.
The increased effectiveness of HVAC air purifying systems provides a wealth of health benefits for you and your family. The removal of harmful particles, gases, and other contaminants found in the air greatly decreases the risk of allergic reactions and asthma attacks in children and adults. Additionally, the ability of these systems to remove more of the gases, molds, and bacteria in the air significantly reduces the long-term health risks such as heart and lung disease and cancers.
If you are ready to protect your family’s health by providing cleaner air, contact Berner A/C & Heat at (504)-822-8080 or (985)-727-2302 today to find out more about installing an HVAC air purifying system in your home.
