air quality...
According to the EPA, the air inside your home may be 10 times more polluted than the air outside.
The Mayo Clinic has found that air cleaners attached to a whole house system are generally more effective than freestanding air cleaners.
An optimal solution is central HVAC systems, with an air purification system installed into your ductwork, attacking the problem at its source. By trapping and destroying contaminants, an air purification system helps increase the efficiency and reliability of your HVAC system.
Using a combination of ultraviolet light and innovative filtration technology, air purification technologies capture and destroy particles and bioaerosols as small as .3 microns. This greatly minimizes your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants.
a new class of air purification capabilities...
Indoor air cleaners are a great way to improve the air quality in your home. Airborne allergens such as mold, pollen, and pet dander can cause unnecessary suffering for many individuals. If you factor in the chemicals from paint and carpet, as well as various odors, the air inside your home can actually be worse than the air outside. Picking the right air purification system does not have to be difficult however. With a little bit of research and time, you should have no trouble finding the right unit for your families needs.
When looking for an air purification system, you first need to understand the different categories of purifiers.
The main two types are Hepa based systems, and Ionic cleaners. Both have dramatically different methods of cleaning the air in your home.
Hepa filters work by filtering the air through various layers of Hepa material. The definition of Hepa is High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance. This type of filter was actually designed in World War II by the Atomic Energy Commission to remove and capture radioactive dust particles. In order to be considered True Hepa the filter must be certified 99.97% efficient in capturing 0.3 microns. The typical Hepa unit can vary in size and shape. The bigger the unit, the bigger area it can clean. Most filters will last 2-5 years, so make sure to factor in replacement filters in the lifelong cost.
Ionic type air purification systems work by negatively charging collection plates within the unit. The positively charged pollution particles are drawn to the negative collection plates. The process is rather simple, as is the typical Ionic air purification system. The most common design is the tower design. They tend to take up very little square footage, and are very economical to keep up. To clean the unit, most require the user to wipe or wash the collection plates periodically.
Three Classes of Air Contaminants
Particles -- Pollen, dust mites, dirt, pet dander
Particles are any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The EPA has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern. These particles easily reach the deepest recess of the lungs.
Bioaerosols -- Bacteria, viruses, molds, spors, fungi
Microscopic living organisms that grow and multiply in warm, humid places. Exposure to these organisms can occur in even the most well-maintained living environment.
Odors/ Chemicals -- Pet odors, cooking smells, tobacco smoke, chlorine, solvents
Air contaminants in the form of gases. Classes and concentrations of chemicals found in a home are largely determined by circulation, product usage and types of furnishings.