While people frequently express concern about outdoor air pollution, there’s increasing concern that today’s homes contain two to 10 times the pollution of outdoor air. While there are a number of reasons for this decrease in indoor air quality, one effective aid in fighting the problem is the use of high efficiency air filters.
As homes are built and retrofitted with a focus on energy efficiency, there’s often a resulting decrease in indoor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is so concerned about this problem it has published guidelines and protocols to address the issues. In home situations the use and maintenance of quality, high efficiency air filters is one of the primary issues addressed by these guidelines.
All HVAC systems circulate air through filters to remove contaminants from the air. The effectiveness of these air filters plays a large role in determining the overall quality of the air that you breathe as it’s repeatedly recycled throughout your home. Another critical factor in indoor air quality is regular maintenance and cleaning or replacement of these filters.
Both health issues and economics make the case for high efficiency filters. Filters are evaluated and given a minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 20, with lower efficiency filters (MERV 1-8) allowing more contaminants and pollutants to continually circulate in the home. While these filters eventually become more efficient when clogged with material, they cause more energy consumption and can damage your HVAC system when dirty. While high efficiency filters (MERV 8 ahd higher) help avoid these problems, they must be regularly cleaned to gain all their benefits. While higher MERV rating filters are more expensive, they are often less expensive long-term.
For more information on high efficiency air filters and other home comfort concerns, contact Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning Co. Our HVAC experts proudly serve homeowners in and around Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and surrounding areas.
