Trying to determine whether air filtration vs. air purification is the optimal route for your indoor health? Grasshopper Heating and Cooling can help you decide. Explore how each solution improves indoor air quality below. 

Air Filtration vs. Air Purification

Many home and business owners don’t know the differences between filtration and purification. Both options can help you achieve the same goal: cleaner, healthier air and less microscopic debris. However, they function differently and eliminate different types of particles. Learn more about what each does below. 

What Is Air Filtration?

Air filtration sets the status quo for indoor air quality. This solution involves a filter that circulating air passes through. As the air passes, the filter traps pollutants and particles that would otherwise stay in the environment. 

Types of Air Filtration

Since air filtration is your home’s first defense against pollutants, you likely already have a basic filtration system built into your HVAC equipment. Most modern units feature return registers that house the filters. You should change the filter every three months at a minimum to keep your air minimally clean. 

Some suppliers sell activated carbon filters, which offer more comprehensive particle removal. However, you must ensure that your HVAC system can accommodate these products without becoming overworked. 

You can also enhance your air filtration efforts with portable air filter technology. These units work much like space heaters. You can take them from room to room, plug them in, and set your filtration level. These units also require occasional filter replacements. 

What Is Air Purification?

Many people discuss air filtration vs. air purification as though they are one and the same. However, air purification differs from filtration in that purifiers remove even smaller molecules and can neutralize some pollutants. For example, your filter might simply remove dust mites and particles from circulation, while a purifier kills or renders these particulates completely harmless.  

Types of Air Purification

Diverse varieties of purification technology exist on the market, including:

• Chemical purifiers destroy a pollutant’s cellular structure by dissolving the cell walls and killing the microorganism. 
• Hydrogen peroxide purification systems release small quantities of hydrogen peroxide into the air as it circulates, neutralizing pathogens. 
• UV purifiers feature ultraviolet light bulbs that eradicate organisms like infectious bacteria and viruses. 

The type of purifier you need depends on what contaminants your home contains. 

Which Solution Should You Pick?

As mentioned, most modern buildings already feature a variety of filtration systems. You can improve filtration capabilities by using high-efficiency particulate air filters, otherwise known as HEPA filters. Alternatively, you can purchase portable filter machines and move them throughout your home. 

However, if you want ultimate indoor air quality, consider air purifiers. Most modern HVAC systems do not already possess purifying capabilities for eliminating germs and volatile organic compounds. An HVAC technician can help you select the best solution for your needs. 

Let Grasshopper Heating & Cooling Help You Choose! 

HVAC technicians at Grasshopper Heating & Cooling are well-versed in air filtration vs. air purification. Call 518-216-0051 to perfect your indoor air quality with our superior solutions.

Indoor air pollution isn’t a common topic of discussion. Nonetheless, the air in your home may contain high concentrations of biological pollutants and chemicals from cleaning products. Other contaminants include tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, varnishes, pressed wood, dry-cleaned clothing, and other sources. You may not realize it, but indoor air quality in your Clifton Park, NY, home may affect your family’s comfort, health, and well-being.

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). We’ll explain a few steps to take if you frequently experience sinus or respiratory symptoms, allergies, headaches, fatigue, or other signs of exposure to IAQ pollutants or if an air quality test finds a problem. Here are eight ways you can improve your home’s indoor air quality:

1. Change Your HVAC Filter

Check your air filter once a month and change it every three months or sooner if necessary. An HVAC filter captures dust and debris. If it gets clogged, particulates and allergens can be blown into the air. A dirty filter also reduces an HVAC system’s efficiency and can cause it to overheat.

2. Keep Your Home Clean

Dust and vacuum your home regularly. Use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration; this captures fine particles and prevents dust and dirt from blowing back into the air. Make sure to clean floors, rugs, carpets, furniture, blinds, curtains, countertops, and all other surfaces. Good cleaning habits can improve indoor air quality in a Clifton Park home.

3. Avoid Chemical-Based Cleaning Products

Many consumer cleaning agents and air fresheners contain VOCs and harmful chemicals. Both aerosols and liquids can have ingredients such as sulfates, chlorine, trichloroethylene, and sodium hydroxide, among many others. Avoid such products and bleach-based solutions. Hypoallergenic and even homemade cleaners can be just as effective.

4. Improve Ventilation

Letting outdoor air in can reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants. Your HVAC system may not bring in fresh air. However, you can open windows and doors to let fresh, clean air into your home. If you have a window air conditioner, open the vent control to do so. Running a kitchen or bathroom fan exhausts contaminants from the room and increases ventilation.

5. Increase Ventilation When Engaging in Pollution-Generating Activities

Ventilate your home whenever you cook, paint, wax a floor, or use a kerosene heater, fireplace, or wood-burning stove. Welding, sanding, soldering, and other activities associated with hobbies and maintenance can also contribute to IAQ issues. So, properly ventilate the room when performing these tasks.

6. Take Your Shoes Off at the Front Door

The soles of your shoes collect dirt, germs, and various contaminants you don’t want in your home. Anything on the ground can stick to shoes and be tracked inside. Take your shoes off before entering your home to avoid polluting surfaces and the air and, in some cases, prevent allergy symptoms or illnesses.

7. Buy Houseplants

Houseplants look great and create a more soothing environment. They also remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. Thus, plants provide a natural means to achieve cleaner and fresher air at home.

8. Install an Air Purifier

An air purifier with a high-quality filter can remove a wide range of particles. It can also remove odors. There are many types of air cleaners. A simple tabletop model can remove some particles, but a whole-house system captures even smaller particulates. The system’s effectiveness is determined based on how well it collects pollutants and how much air it can draw over time. The best systems have an efficient collection medium and high air-circulation rate.

Grasshopper Heating & Cooling Helps Improve Indoor Air Quality in Clifton Park, NY

The first step to achieving long-term IAQ improvements is to have the air in your home tested. We provide indoor air quality testing services to determine the cause of your symptoms and how to resolve the problem. Our professional team is available in Clifton Park, NY, and throughout the Albany area. Call (518) 240-3807 to schedule service.

The news media often covers outdoor air pollution. But indoor air quality, or IAQ, is just as important. Biological, chemical, and combustion pollutants may be present in your home. They can cause anything from mild irritation to long-term health issues. When you schedule indoor air quality testing near Clifton Park, a contractor should look for the most common pollutants. We’ll provide an overview of these so you’re more informed the next time your IAQ is tested.

IAQ Pollutants to Look For

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollutants can be broken down into three categories:

Biological

A wide range of biological hazards may be found in your home. Sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, shortness of breath, and asthma symptoms may be occurring for a reason. Since there are so many types of biological pollutants (including bacteria and other microorganisms), and so many tests, knowing what to look for is important. Some of the most common you might suspect include:

• Mold: Mold exists outdoors and indoors and travels via airborne spores that settle and colonize in dark, humid areas. It can also be carried indoors on your shoes and clothing. Mold can cause musty odors, while some types release toxic compounds that can make you sick.
• Pollen: Pollen grains from trees, grasses, and weeds are prevalent during the warmer months. They can float inside or be carried in by people and pets, and trigger symptoms of hay fever. The best ways to avoid exposure include keeping windows closed and staying inside when pollen counts are high.
• Dust Mites: Feeding off dead skin cells, dust mites can thrive in carpets, bedding, and furniture and produce potent allergens (despite being too small to see). If a test finds dust mites, their levels can be reduced with a dehumidifier or AC, impermeable mattress/pillow covers, by vacuuming/wiping up dust and washing bedding in hot water.

Chemical

Chemical pollutants come in many forms. If you’re scheduling indoor air quality testing near you, make sure the contractor considers any compound that can cause indoor air pollution, irritation, or illness. These include but are not limited to:

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These “volatile” compounds easily become vapors or gases. Containing carbon, they can occur naturally or be synthetic. Home cleaning products, disinfectants, paints, wood preservatives, dry-cleaned clothing, stored fuels, craft supplies, building materials, and furnishings may contain VOCs. Some VOCs are relatively harmless, while others are highly toxic, such as benzene and perchloroethylene.
• Formaldehyde: It’s a common VOC found in paints, glues, insulation, paper products, permanent press fabrics, and as a preservative in some cosmetics, personal care products, and medicines. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing for formaldehyde if there are strong chemical odors or if you have breathing problems and irritation only at home.
• Lead: Lead was used in pipes, pots, and pans in Ancient Rome and, more recently, in paint and batteries. The U.S. government banned lead-based paint in 1978. When airborne, lead can be inhaled or swallowed. At high levels, it can cause convulsions, coma, and death; at low levels, it can harm the central nervous system, kidneys, and blood cells. Test for lead if you have children at home, you live near a freeway or congested roadway, or your home was built before 1978.
• Radon: Radon is a radioactive, colorless gas that forms in soil. Cracks and holes in your home’s foundation can allow it to get inside. If radon particles get trapped in the lungs, they can cause tissue damage and lung cancer. The EPA has recommended radon testing in all homes below the third floor. Short- and long-term tests are available; a trained contractor can determine the best type of test and way to lower radon levels if necessary.

Combustion

Combustion pollutants contain gases and particles that can be a hazard to your health and safety. They are produced from burning fuels. Testing for combustion pollutants can help determine what preventative measures to take. Your contractor should look for:

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS): Also known as secondhand smoke, ETS contains thousands of compounds and dozens of carcinogens, which can put even non-smokers at risk. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of respiratory problems in children. The best way to prevent exposure to ETS and its health effects is to avoid smoking inside the home.

Carbon Monoxide (CO): This colorless, odorless gas can lead to unconsciousness and death in high concentrations. Even low concentrations of CO can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, weakness, and confusion.  An unvented fireplace, gas space heater or stove, or woodstove can release CO. A malfunctioning gas furnace can also release it into the air. Other combustion pollutants include nitrogen dioxide and particulates.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

To improve IAQ, it’s important to follow your contractor’s recommendations. But you can make improvements even before having your home tested, such as eliminating or reducing pollution sources, ventilating your home, and changing HVAC filters often. A technician will look at the presence and level of a pollutant when performing a test. According to the EPA, here are some acceptable levels:

• Lead: No more than 0.15 µg/m3 over a 3-month rolling average.¹
• Carbon Monoxide: Less than 9 ppm over 8 hours and less than 35 ppm over 1 hour.¹
• Nitrogen Dioxide: Less than 100 ppb over 1 hour and under 53 ppb over 1 year.¹
• Particulate Matter: Primary and secondary particulates should not exceed 15 µg/m3 over 24 hours (as of standards updated in 2012).²

Call Grasshopper to Schedule Indoor Air Quality Testing Near You

Poor indoor air quality is associated with many symptoms and diseases. With indoor air quality testing, common pollutants and their sources can be identified. We can then recommend steps to reduce or eliminate biological, chemical, and combustion pollutants. To request service in Clifton Park, NY, and surrounding areas, contact us online or call (518) 241-1758.

Sources:

1. https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table
2. https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/timeline-particulate-matter-pm-national-ambient-air-quality-standards-naaqs

We inhale a lungful of air every few seconds. But most of us don’t realize how many contaminants affect indoor air quality (IAQ) at home. These include mold, cigarette smoke, volatile organic compounds, chemicals from cleaning products, asbestos, radon, and others you may not know are present. Many of these can have long-term impacts on your family’s health. But a trusted home air quality testing provider near you can identify pollutants and ways to keep them out.

Here are some tips for finding a trustworthy IAQ testing company in the Clifton Park area:

Know What Questions to Ask

Finding the right contractor requires getting the answers you need. Every homeowner’s needs are different, which is why the following inquiries will help you decide if you’ve found a suitable IAQ testing provider:

• What types of IAQ testing methods do you use?
• How long will it take to receive the test results?
• Are samples tested in an in-house or outside lab?
• How long will decontaminating my home take?
• When can I safely return to my home?
• Do the chemicals you use harm people or pets?
• How do you structure payments?
• Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Check the Provider’s Certification

A company you hire for home air quality testing near you must be properly certified. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies IAQ testers. Businesses and contractors must demonstrate extensive knowledge and skills to pass the EPA test. Grasshopper Heating & Cooling is EPA-certified to provide home air quality services. Always look for national certifications and consider the types of testing or decontamination you need—some types of service require specific authorizations.

Also, check whether the provider is rated or recommended by a well-known organization. The Better Business Bureau rates companies based on their quality standards and consumer feedback. You can search for a company on the web to see if anyone has filed formal complaints or recent lawsuits against it.

Make Sure the Company Has Insurance

Things can go wrong during air quality testing and decontamination. If a worker causes damage or is injured when performing an IAQ test or cleaning procedure, insurance will cover any costs. Otherwise, the business or you may be liable to pay for damages. 

Being insured is a sign the company is properly qualified and equipped. It should also understand how homeowner’s or renter’s insurance claims work. Home air quality inspections and other services may be covered, depending on your policy. The provider should communicate with the insurance company and file any paperwork involved in covering the service.

Verify It Promotes Health and Safety Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t have IAQ standards. But it does regulate ventilation, certain air contaminants, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Businesses are also required to provide cleaning and sanitization services as needed, especially when using potentially toxic chemicals and treatments that can leave behind residue. 

Beware of Shady Tactics

Home air quality testing is a highly specialized service. But not every company that says it does IAQ testing is trustworthy. Avoid any business that:

• Recommends Pre-Testing: Advanced methods such as infrared technology are often expensive and unnecessary. The company should provide details on the equipment it uses; if not, it could be overcharging you using hi-tech devices it doesn’t need.
• Upsells Preventative or Recommended Treatments: It’s best to get a second opinion if you’re not sure about a contractor’s motives. Indeed, some fish for expensive projects when there aren’t any to be found. 
• Quotes an Unreasonably Low Price: You may want to spend less on home air quality testing near you. But an unreasonably low-price quote is a red flag. If one provider’s quote is dramatically less than others, its testing methods and staff training probably aren’t up to par.

Call Grasshopper for Home Air Quality Testing Near Clifton Park, NY

Household cleaning chemicals, paints, varnishes, carpet fumes, radon, biological pollutants, and other contaminants may create IAQ issues in your home. Grasshopper is trusted for home air quality testing in the Albany area and is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. Call (518) 252-7939 or schedule service online to request an air quality assessment.