We have received numerous inquiries from customers asking what they can do to improve air quality. Here is a short look at what impact air filters can have on air quality and some other information you may want to consider as to how your AC/Heating units can contribute to or hinder air quality in homes and businesses.
Understanding HVAC Filters
All HVAC filters are assigned a MERV rating which falls between a 5 and a 13 typically. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and was developed in 1987 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). These ratings are numbered by the percentage of airborne particulates filtered from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the higher percentage of dust and other particulates are removed. The American Lung Association recommends using a minimum MERV 8 rating in your home, people with Asthma and other respiratory illnesses should use filters with a rating of at least 11. TLC has begun using the Camfil filters with the MERV 8-8A rating for all of our commercial maintenance customers in order to provide better quality air. These filters exceed the minimum rating and are proven to filter a minimum of 30% of allergens and particulates 1 micron in size.
Should you get HEPA filters for your business?
We have fielded several questions about HEPA filters from customers. These filters are typically utilized in hospitals and other clean room applications and often with air humidifiers. What many people do not understand is that HEPA filter cannot be used in most residential or commercial HVAC equipment as they will cause permanent damage to your equipment. If people are serious about HEPA quality they should consider air cleaning equipment designed specifically for that purpose and not for heating/cooling. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.8 % of allergens and particulates; unfortunately, they do not allow enough air to pass through in heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment in businesses.
Even the best passive filters are only capable of removing a percentage of the larger dust particles from the air. Most of the particulates in the air we breathe exceed 1 micron in size, therefore they pass right through filters. These particles can accumulate inside HVAC equipment and get recirculated throughout the house.
Indoor Air Quality Systems
One way to provide much safer and cleaner air is through the use of Ultraviolet (UV) polarized-media air cleaners which can be placed within your existing equipment and which will kill and collect up to 99.7 % of all particulates of .3 micron and larger. TLC has air quality systems that we have installed in homes and businesses to help safeguard against airborne infections like those that can cause common flu and cold viruses. One such application is Pristine Air which utilizes a combination of UVC/UVV lights and polarized media filters and has several levels of protection. We have installed a number of these systems in homes and businesses and are continuing to receive calls about these applications.
The bottom line is TLC’s Commercial HVAC repairmen are here to help with customized solutions for your business. Call us today to discuss your concerns and find customized solutions to meet your business needs. If you have any questions you can reach out to our professionals. TLC is committed to providing our customers with the highest quality service we can provide. If you would like to hear more or to receive a quote you can call 761-9644. We appreciate your continued trust in us and look forward to working with you to meet your heating and cooling needs in the future