Indoor air quality is often overlooked when compared to heating or cooling. After all, it’s much easier to detect a problem with your heater on a cold day when you’re literally shivering and chattering your teeth! Likewise, summertime temperatures are almost unbearable without proper air conditioning. But many people have the ability to get used to their indoor air quality, even if it’s not very good.
Humans are experts at adapting. Our nostrils and respiratory systems can allow us to breathe air that might be filled with dust, pet dander, viruses, mold, and other contaminants that are bad for us. We’d like customers to adapt in the opposite direction and become more used to clean, fresh air that feels more comfortable.
But how does one achieve this goal? Do you need an air filter or air purifier in Cedar Rapids? Do you need both? The answers to these questions might surprise you.
Targeting the Contaminants
Before you can install the right system for your home, you need to figure out what kind of contaminants are causing you trouble. Biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria need to be dealt with differently from contaminants like dust and debris.
Here’s a good way to differentiate the two:
If you’re feeling generally uncomfortable with the air inside of your home, then you might have problems with dust, pet dander, dirt, and other kinds of inorganic contaminants.
If you find yourself getting sick more often or having trouble shaking off illnesses, then you’re more likely to have biological contaminants throughout your home, like viruses or mold.
Once you’ve figured out which you’re dealing with, we can talk about the solutions!
Air Purification
Air purifiers treat air with organic contaminants like mold, mildew, viruses, and bacteria. Most air purifiers work using UV light, which is a powerful antimicrobial system that emulates the UV rays of the sun.
It basically damages the reproductive DNA and RNA of single-celled organisms to the point where it makes it impossible for a virus or mold spore to reproduce, rendering them essentially harmless and ready for conventional cleanup. Cool, right?
Air Filtration
Air filters work exactly how you think they do. They’re made out of extremely fine mesh components that can trap contaminants above a certain size. HEPA filters, for instance, can trap even microscopic contaminants in their tracks and keep them there for cleanup later. These can deal with large contaminating particles like dust, dirt, pet hair, and even pollen.
Duct Cleaning or Repair
If only we could stop with these systems, life would be easier. But unfortunately there’s another component that we have yet to discuss–your air ducts.
Contaminants like dust and mold can get trapped in your air ducts and make your home feel dirty or stuffy even with these kinds of systems. You’ll want to invest in professional duct cleaning so that you can let these systems operate with maximum effectiveness. Then you’ll be on the path toward fresh air and a healthy environment.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.