Many homeowners in Tolleson, AZ pay close attention to the quality of air inside their homes. Our relatively low elevation results in higher pollution levels during the cool winter months. During the monsoon season, there’s no shortage of dust storms that negatively impact air quality. A lack of ventilation and filtration in your home can exacerbate issues by preventing fresh air from entering and failing to remove particulate matter.
The good news is that it’s possible to augment your home’s HVAC system to improve air quality.
High MERV-Rated Air Filters
The main purpose of your HVAC filter is to keep dust and dirt away from your system’s major components. Any positive effects the air filtration has on your home’s air quality are secondary. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t improve your HVAC’s air filtration capabilities by carefully choosing a filter.
The easiest way to improve your HVAC’s air filtration ability is to use a filter with a higher MERV rating than what you currently have. MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. It’s an industry standard scale that lets you know how well a given filter captures particles of varying sizes. Generally, the higher a filter’s MERV rating, the more effectively it removes the smallest types of pollutants. Most HVAC systems come with filters that have MERV ratings of around eight. You can usually safely upgrade to a filter with a MERV rating as high as 12 for better air-cleaning performance.
Ensure that you purchase a filter with the same dimensions as your existing one. Additionally, don’t purchase a filter with a MERV rating higher than 12 without consulting one of our HVAC experts. Higher-efficiency filters can reduce airflow through your HVAC system and harm its performance and your comfort. In extreme cases, they can even damage your HVAC components. In some situations, our technician may be able to modify your system to compensate.
There are HVAC filters available that include a layer of activated carbon. These filters can help eliminate odors from your home’s air as well as volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. They rely on a process called adsorption to function. As air passes through the filter, contaminants attach to tiny deformations in the carbon. That mode of operation also prevents activated carbon filters from affecting your HVAC airflow.
Extended Media Filters
Extended media filters are like conventional HVAC filters, except thicker. Most are about four inches thick, allowing ample space for deep pleats in their filter material. That dramatically increases the surface area of the filter. As a result, you can use a filter with a higher MERV rating without compromising airflow through your HVAC system. However, you can’t install an extended media filter in your system without modifications.
Our HVAC experts can install extended media filter housing in your home’s HVAC ductwork. This provides more sufficient space to accommodate a thicker filter. There are also extended media filter boxes that fit behind your home’s return air ductwork grille. That makes them easier to access when you need a filter replacement. Most thick filters only need replacement every six months.
HEPA Filtration
The next step up from extended media filters is HEPA filtration. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. They’re a type of air filtration that is often found in hospitals and other sensitive environments. A HEPA filter can capture as much as 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. As a result, they’re effective against the most common indoor air pollutants. They can eliminate things like dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores from your home’s air. They’re also effective at removing certain types of viruses and bacteria from the air you breathe each day.
HEPA filters can be used with a built-in air circulation fan. This setup allows them to work alongside your home’s HVAC system without negatively affecting airflow. It can draw in air from your home’s return air ducting through a dedicated bypass duct. After passing through the filter, the air returns to your HVAC system for the process of heating or cooling. Whole-home HEPA filters with a fan connect to your HVAC’s control circuitry so they can turn on and off with your HVAC equipment.
Electrostatic Filters
Another type of filtration you can add to your HVAC system is an electrostatic filter. As their name suggests, they use electricity to clean the air passing through your HVAC system. They do it by creating a field of static electricity to attract particles such as allergens, dust, and pet dander. Electrostatic filters are typically installed directly into your HVAC ductwork. One of the most significant advantages of electrostatic filters is that they don’t rely on disposable media. Instead, you must remove their filter plates and wash them periodically. This can help keep operating costs low.
There are also washable electrostatic filters you can install in place of your standard HVAC air filter. However, you shouldn’t confuse them with electrically powered electrostatic filter systems. Washable filters use material with a natural static charge. However, most washable electrostatic filters have a MERV rating between four and eight, making them minimally effective at removing very small particulate matter. Installing one won’t substantially improve your home’s air quality if you are dealing with several types of contaminants. They can, however, help augment the performance of a filtration system.
UV Air Sanitizers
Some homeowners invest in UV air-sanitizing lights. This equipment uses ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the air as it moves through your HVAC system. It’s particularly effective at neutralizing mold, viruses, and bacteria. UV sanitizers operate using special bulbs that emit light in the UV-C spectrum. It’s essential to note, however, that UV air sterilizers aren’t a comprehensive air purification solution. Typically, you would install one along with one of the air purification systems discussed above.
The reason that UV-C radiation works so well as an air sanitizer is that it damages DNA. That means it can destroy any cellular matter in your home’s air. With limited exposure, UV-C waves are sufficiently powerful to render viruses and bacteria inert. In other words, they lose their ability to reproduce, so they’re no longer any threat to those in your home.
Generally, there are two types of UV sanitizer add-ons that you can install in your HVAC system. One installs in your HVAC’s return air ductwork, where it works to sterilize air whenever your HVAC runs. For that reason, they include wiring that connects them to your HVAC itself. The other type of purifier is installed inside your HVAC indoor unit. The primary purpose of these systems is to prevent mold growth on your HVAC’s evaporator coil and promote healthier indoor air.
Trusted Indoor Air Quality Experts
Before you can select an appropriate indoor air quality upgrade for your HVAC system, you can benefit from having your home’s air tested. El Indio AC offers indoor air quality testing that can reveal the specific pollutants in your home’s air. From there, we can recommend the proper solution and provide professional installation. We also offer ductwork services for HVAC efficiency and to ensure that air doesn’t push excess dust into your home as it moves through your ducts.
If you need air quality upgrades for the HVAC in your Tolleson home, call El Indio AC today!
