These days, clean air is more important than ever. When you get home you want to know that the air you breathe in is clean of allergens, pollutants, bacteria, and more. Although regularly checking and changing your HVAC’s air filter is a step in the right direction, there are a lot of additional ways to ensure the cleanliness of your home’s air.
What’s In the Air?
You start your day on a beautiful nature hike, followed by a stop at the store, and lunch with a friend at a restaurant. Meanwhile, your kids are at school playing in the sandbox, sitting on the classroom rug with all the other kids, and then taking the school bus home. Whether you want to think about it or not, all the germs, dirt, and dust from each family member and furry pet is being tracked back into your home.
Your home’s air could be full of a large assortment of pollutants, but some of the most commonly found contaminants include mold, dust mites, pollen, and dander.
Flat Filters
The most common way to fight off polluted air is through the flat filter that works as part of your HVAC system. These filters should be changed once a month or even more frequently depending on whether you have pets and your lifestyle. There are different models of these filters that may be worth the splurge if this is your only means to tackle indoor air quality.
Extended Media Filter
Extended media filters are similar to flat filters, except that they are much thicker. They provide a much more significant barrier stopping additional substances from entering. Although these filters are in theory a much fatter version of the flat filter, they do require professional installation.
Whole-Home Electronic Air Cleaner
Electrostatic air filters ideally work like magnets for dust and any other particles floating in the air. These systems go above and beyond the abilities of a flat or extended filter by using electrostatic force to clear the air of unwanted particles.