Want Cleaner Air In Your Home? | Kitchener ON

We’re all a lot more concerned about the air we breathe, especially in our house. Many of us are wondering if the standard air filters that came with our heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are sufficient to keep us protected and healthy.

There’s not a definitive answer. It often depends on health-related factors like whether you or a family member has asthma or allergies. But one thing’s for sure – according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air in our homes can contain two to five times the concentrations of some pollutants than are found outside. What’s more, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. It might be time to upgrade that standard HVAC filter, and one of your most powerful and efficient options is known as an air scrubber.

Extended protection

The HVAC air filters you should be changing regularly have a very important role, but it’s probably not what you think. The filters are there to protect various components of your air conditioning and heating systems from damage caused by a steady accumulation of particulate matter found in the exterior air it pulls in.

There’s some protection offered to you and your family, but these filters trap only larger particles. This doesn’t really do much to improve indoor air quality.

The most common reason for health issues caused by poor indoor air are from things like mold, airborne viruses and bacteria, and pollen. There also are chemicals released from the paint on your walls, the fibers of your carpet, and even dry-cleaned clothing known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These airborne particles are too small to be captured and removed by the standard HVAC filters in your home. For that, you need a different type of system such as an air scrubber. It’s designed specifically to remove chemicals, microscopic particles and other contaminants that are likely the cause of your family’s discomfort at home.

How does an air scrubber work?

There are several different types of air scrubbers. They all have the same goal, which is to “scrub” the microscopic particles from their air as it’s passing through your home’s HVAC system. The most effective air scrubbers are modeled after one of nature’s most powerful air scrubbers – the sun.

Ultraviolet rays, like those produced by sunshine, are highly effective at neutralizing germs and gasses. The scrubber uses a system of ultraviolet lamps that sterilize the air passing through. Meanwhile the photochemical reaction that takes place removes odors.

These microscopic “bad guys” get a new lease on life. After neutralization, some can be turned into powerful oxidizing agents that are naturally antimicrobial. The benefit goes beyond the healthier air you’ll breathe in your home. Sooner or later, all those microscopic particles came in for a landing. An air scrubber will also help to keep surfaces in your home – kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and even doorknobs – cleaner.

The addition of an air scrubber can help keep you and your family healthier. They’re easy to install into your existing HVAC equipment and so effective that the technology helps to maintain the health of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Learn more.