Here at Fetch-a-Tech, we understand the crucial role that indoor air quality plays in your family’s overall health. Since we spend so much time in our homes, the air we inhale should be safe and clean in that sanctuary.
However, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than that outside. That’s why Fetch-a-Tech has been installing high-quality air filtration systems all around Las Vegas to improve the respiratory health of hundreds of families.
So, as summer is just around the corner and allergies begin to kick in, let’s explore everything you need to know about how indoor air quality can be vastly improved with a top-quality air filtration system.
Why Does Indoor Air Quality Matter?
Many people understand the risks of outdoor pollution and poor air quality but neglect to consider their indoor air. In a nutshell, poor indoor air quality—whether in a family’s home or in the workplace—can be extremely harmful to human health.
Poor indoor air quality can have consequences quickly after exposure or, in some cases, years afterward.
Poor indoor air quality can result in short-term side effects like dizziness, headaches, itchy and bloodshot eyes, and low energy levels. Long-term exposure, though, can cause respiratory issues, such as asthma. If you already suffer from asthma, polluted indoor air can worsen your condition.
With that in mind, homeowners and office and company owners should prioritize the air inside their buildings for the health of those within them.
Why Are Allergies Worse In The Heat?
A large number of people who suffer from allergies tend to stay inside when the pollen count is high, and their hay fever is at its worst. However, when it is hot outside, indoor allergens and pollutants are also at their highest.
Due to the higher temperatures, the culmination of pet dander through malting, dust mites, and even cockroaches all contribute to a spike in allergy symptoms.
What Allergens and Pollutants Are Inside Your Home?
The most common allergens and pollutants that are inside your home and causing the quality of your air quality to reduce are:
- Dust mites
- Mold and fungi
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Tobacco smoke from cigarettes and vapes
- Steam from cooking and showering
- The chemicals and smoke from burning candles
- Formaldehyde (often found in furniture and flooring made from wood, synthetic fibers, and certain plastics)
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds – found in paint and wood strippers, preservatives, aerosol sprays like deodorant and hairspray, bug repellents, and office equipment and supplies)
How Do Air Filtration Systems Work?
Your HEPA filter will filter out the vast majority of the allergens floating in your indoor air. In fact, 99.97% of indoor pollutants will pass through your air filtration system due to your HEPA filter. Despite its simplicity, this is how your air filtration system works to improve your indoor air quality.
What Pollutants Are Captured By HEPA Filters?
HEPA filters are superheroes, capturing the allergens and pollutants in your home and, in turn, purifying your indoor air. Pollutants and allergens captured by HEPA filters include:
- Bacteria
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Viruses
- 5. (extremely small particles that are responsible for a large number of your short-term side effects of poor air quality, such as runny noses, watery eyes, and even shortness of breath.)
What To Consider When Investing In An Air Filtration System
As with any purchase, you should first do your research to determine the best fit for you.
To help you along the journey to purer indoor air through an effective and high-performing air filtration system, use the following checklist to discover the type of air filtration system that will work best for you.
1. First, Locate Where Your Air Filtration System Will Be Positioned
Knowing where you will be storing your air filtration system helps you narrow down systems that are too large for your space. After choosing where you will be storing your air filtration system, measure the size and space you have before looking at the measurements of units.
There are three main kinds of air filtration systems which take up different amounts of space:
- Floor air purifiers are the biggest but most effective type of air purifier. They are usually too large for a home setting and would suit an office or larger event spaces.
- Portable and room purifiers are designed for use in venues, such as hotel rooms, changing rooms, or spaces with indoor pools. That said, they can also be used inside the home. These types of air filtration systems are smaller than floor air purifiers, but they are also effective.
- Tower/ allergy air purifiers are the most common choice for air filtration inside the home. These systems have been designed for the most allergy-dense living locations and are the easiest to store inside the home due to their smaller size.
2. Understand Your Home & Health Requirements To Tailor Your Choice To Your Unique Needs
Consider your priorities in an air filtration system. Are you trying to improve your air quality as a whole? Or are you more focused on – say – pet dander?
There are air filtration systems out there that are both generalized and more niche-specific machines.
Before investing in an air filtration system, consider your family’s unique requirements and desired outcomes. This will help you narrow down the type of air filtration system you purchase.
3. Compare The Systems’ Clean Air Deliver Rates (CADRs)
Defined by the Independent Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM,) the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of your potential air filtration system should be compared with others to make sure you’ve made the right choice.
This rate helps to measure the efficiency of the air filtration system and to what extent it cleans the air within a room.
It takes into account the size of the room it is placed in and the volume of purified air per minute.
This rate allows consumers to understand how well an air filtration system works to remove dust, pollen and smoke.
How To Understand CADR Ratings
An air filtration system is given an independent score for each pollutant (dust, pollen, and smoke). The higher the score, the better the system is at removing that particular pollutant. For example, if the CADR rating of an air filtration system tackling smoke is 150, this means that the machine can remove smoke from a room of 150 square feet at a minute rate of 150 cubic feet.
Top Tip: It is important to know, before comparing CADR ratings, the size of the room you will be positioning your system in. There is little point in spending a fortune on an air filtration system with a sky-high CADR rating if the room it is going to be placed in is considerably smaller than the rating it has been given.
4. Choose Which Filter Works For Your Needs
The two main types of filters used in air filtration systems are:
- HEPA filters
- Activated carbon filters
When choosing an air filtration system, the type of filter it accommodates should be considered in relation to your unique goals.
Activated carbon filters are best suited to those who are looking to remove odors – including that from pets and cooking – from their home. As well as this, activated carbon filters used in an air filtration system are effective for removing smoke from the air.
On the other hand, HEPA filters are a better choice for improving air quality and reducing allergens. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of polluted particles from the air, tackling allergens such as pet dander, dust, and pollen.
5. Choose Which Filter Works For Your Needs
Some air filtration systems can be noisy when in operation, so it is worth considering noise levels and priorities when choosing the right system for your home.
You should also consider where you plan on placing your air filtration system.
If, for example, you are going to be positioning your system in a bedroom, lower noise levels when in operation should be higher on your priority list.
The best air filtration systems on the market are predominantly quiet, anyway, but keep this in mind when choosing the perfect machine for you.
6. Consider Ongoing Maintenance And Energy Costs
Air filtration systems use energy to work and, as a result, will contribute to the cost of your energy bills. For both your wallet and the environment, consider an energy-efficient air filtration system.
Consider, too, the cost of maintenance and checks. Fetch-a-Tech offers air quality tests in Las Vegas, the results of which determine the improvement or deterioration of air quality. It is advised that these tests be scheduled routinely to ensure your air filtration system is performing as it should without working too hard (which is reflected in your energy bills).
Final Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Air Filtration System
After you have selected your air filtration system and a member of Fetch-a-Tech has installed it for you, take the extra steps to ensure your efforts are paid off.
To give your air filtration the maximum chance of performing efficiently, make sure you are:
- Storing your air filtration system in a closed roomallows the fan to work without pushing too hard against outdoor elements.
- Change your filter according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Many systems suggest changing your air filtration system’s filters every 3 to 6 months. Leaving a clogged filter in your machine will result in lower efficiency and performance, poorer air quality, and higher energy bills.
- Clean your air filtration system regularly without using harsh chemicals or detergents that can damage your unit. Instead, use a damp cloth and gentle, circular motions.
- Position your air filtration system away from furniture and not too close to walls, allowing the air to circulate without difficulty.
Balance Cost and Efficiency With Fetch-a-Tech
If you’re struggling to pinpoint the perfect air filtration system, allow Fetch-a-Tech to assist you. Providing expert advice and recommending an air filtration that works for your needs and your budget, Fetch-a-Tech is honored to unite homeowners in Las Vegas with cleaner, fresher indoor air. Get in touch with a member of the team today!
