Improving Air Quality: Your Options

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming an increasingly greater concern, even more so than outdoor air quality. Using ventilation and filtration are the primary methods of reducing contaminants in the air you breathe while inside your home. Adverse health conditions can be caused by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds) and particulates.

Poor indoor air quality can be multiplied with poor air turnover or high humidity. If allergies are a problem, a quality contractor can service your heating and air conditioning system and recommend system accessories that may prevent conditions that adversely affect health and comfort.

Your options for improved air quality in your home include:

GOOD
Ordinary throw-away type filters catch about 75% of bulk dirt but they capture as little as 3% of minute pollutants. For slightly more effectiveness treated filters are available. These filters have been coated with dirt trapping glycol or mineral oil. Though they stop the same percentage of bulk dirt they block up to 10% of the smaller, microscopic particles.

BETTER
An electrostatic air filter uses synthetic fibres that create a static charge to attract particles. Costing more than throw-away type filters, electrostatic filters can be reusable. Reusable models are simply sprayed with tap water to clean, but they still have to be replaced periodically. Disposable models should be replaced quarterly. Depending on the make, an electrostatic filter will block between 10% to 35% percent of microscopic particles. Some are sold as kits; the frame is permanent and the filter pad is replaced every couple of years.

BEST
An electrostatic precipitating (“electronic”) air cleaner draws particles in by fan and charges them with a series of high-voltage wires. A precipitating cell (a series of plates) that carries the opposite electrical charge attracts the particles as they pass by. You can buy portable versions or whole house models that connect to the cold-air return plenum on the furnace. They are quite effective, removing about 95 percent of bulk dirt and 85 percent of microscopic particles.