Cost-Effective Methods to Maintain Your HVAC System's Optimal Performance

Contrary to popular belief, air pollution is not limited to the outdoors. In fact, the environment inside your home can often be more polluted.

If you frequently use a vacuum cleaner, it's important to know that you're essentially "relocating the dirt." While some of the dirt gets trapped in the cleaner's filter or bag, the rest is scattered back into the room.

To address this issue, air conditioners and furnaces are equipped with air filters that prevent dust and debris from clogging the unit. Some homeowners, particularly those living with allergy sufferers, opt to purchase additional filters to enhance indoor air quality.

Since filters accumulate household pollutants over time, it's crucial to replace them monthly, especially during peak periods. Regular filter changes prevent excessive accumulation of dirt and debris in your furnace or air conditioner, as well as in your lungs. Neglecting this maintenance task can lead to respiratory diseases, allergies, higher utility bills, and even shorten the lifespan of your equipment.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is the leading HVAC company in Shoreview MN offering a range of high-efficiency HVAC filters and other home comfort products.

Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

Numerous factors contribute to the pollution of indoor air within your home. These include pathogens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust mites, plant spores, mold, mildew, pet dander or hair, fungi, pesticides, aerosols, cigarette or tobacco smoke, cat litter, cooking odors, toxins, viruses, bacteria, radon, and formaldehyde.

Negative Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Exposure to indoor air pollutants can have both immediate and long-term health effects. Some consequences may manifest immediately after a single exposure or recurrent exposures to one or more contaminants. Poor indoor air quality can lead to skin irritation, eye irritation, nasal and throat irritation, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, coughing, and congestion of the upper respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure to household pollutants can also result in more serious health issues such as lung disease.

Vulnerable Individuals Who Should Be Protected from Indoor Pollutants

Poor indoor air quality poses significant risks to health, particularly for children, individuals aged 60 or older, and those with existing allergies or compromised immune systems.

How High-Efficiency Filters Function

Every HVAC system comes equipped with an air filter, but not all filtration systems offer the same level of efficiency. Air filters are rated using the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) scale, which ranges from 1 to 16. Filters with a rating higher than 16 are considered high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. A higher MERV rating indicates a filter's ability to capture a greater number of contaminants. Some filters can even trap certain viruses, as well as bacteria, mold spores, and cigarette smoke. These filters also reduce allergens and respiratory irritants.

HEPA filters remove no less than 99.97 percent of particles measuring 0.3 microns or larger from your indoor air. This gold standard for allergen and airborne particle removal is set and enforced by the Department of Energy.

HEPA filters promote cleaner air intake, allowing your lungs and other organs to function more effectively, ultimately leading to improved oxygen absorption by the brain.

In addition to enhancing indoor air quality, a whole-home air purification system equipped with a HEPA filter optimizes the performance of your furnace or air conditioner. This results in lower energy consumption and an extended lifespan for your equipment.

Consult the Air Filtration Experts

Indoor air pollution can often exceed outdoor air pollution levels, making an investment in a high-efficiency filter a wise choice for those concerned about the air quality in their homes.

At Four Seasons Air Specialists, we strive to help you create a thoroughly clean living environment. Through partnerships with top air filter manufacturers, we offer only the most effective products designed to capture and eliminate nearly all known household pollutants.

Speak with our HVAC professionals about improving your home's air filtration system. They can provide expert guidance on modifying your filtration setup to accommodate thicker and more efficient filters.

For over 40 years, we have been the trusted Circle Pines heating and air conditioning company, catering to the home comfort needs of our valued customers.