What You Need to Know About Indoor Air Quality08/08/2016We all recognize the dangers of outdoor air pollution, such as car emissions. What a lot of people don’t recognize is that the air inside the average home is approximately five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality is important because Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, whether they are at home or in the office. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution in the top five environmental concerns. A couple of the usual indoor pollutants include: mold, pollen, pet dander, radon and even formaldehyde. There are also a couple common terms regularly used when talking about indoor air quality, so make sure you’re familiar with these: HEPA You’ve possibly seen or heard this term used, but do you grasp what it means? HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air” or “high-efficiency particulate arrestance”. HEPA filtration systems are manufactured and certified to capture at least 99.97% of .3-micron (.000012” or 300x smaller than the diameter of human hair) particles from the air that goes through the system. Dust, pollen, mites and other contaminants can all be captured, greatly boosting your home’s indoor air quality. MERV MERV is a shortened version of “minimum efficiency reporting value” or put in easier terms, it tells you the effectiveness of your air filter. MERV ratings can be anywhere from 1-16 with the higher rating eliminating more contaminants and allergens without impacting the airflow of your home comfort system. We can work with you to decide on a filter with a MERV rating that will work best for your needs. We breathe on average 11,000 liters of air a day. We want to help you understand the importance of indoor air quality and help be sure the air inside your house is good for your health. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding your home comfort systems give us a ring at 803-318-6995 or schedule an appointment with us online.