If you are suffering from severe allergies, you may not be surprised to learn that researchers are saying that this spring is shaping up to be possibly the worst allergy season on record1. Last month we did a blog entry on our indoor air quality services, one of which includes the installation of an air purification system to reduce allergens from the air in your home. While this may bring to mind images of the portable devices you have seen at your local retailer, our systems work on a much larger scale. A whole home air cleaner connects to your existing air handler or furnace to deliver purified air through your ventilation system. With so many brands and system models to choose from, comparison shopping can be a daunting task. By simply calling your trusted Fountain Hills air conditioning service, we can answer any questions you may have.
In the meantime, there are a few efficiency testing standards and rating systems for you to consider when looking into air purifiers. One method, the Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV), measures the efficiency the air purifier’s filter in capturing airborne particles of varying sizes. The filter is then rated on a scale of 1-16, with 16 being the most efficient. Another method is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which evaluates the efficiency of the purifier itself, but focuses on three specific air particles: pollen, dust, and tobacco smoke. In addition to the efficiency of trapping particles, the CADR takes into consideration the rate at which clean air is delivered back into the room. The maximum CADR is 1,3002. A Scottsdale indoor air quality specialist can assist you in assessing your needs and choosing a system that is a good fit for your home.
While these ratings are not the only factors to consider when choosing an air cleaner, it is a good indicator of the benefits they can provide. If you or a family member suffer from allergies or asthma, a system with a higher rating may be desirable. One system, Trane CleanEffectsTM, has a CADR of 1,200, and removes 99.98% of allergens from the air3. This is exceptionally impressive considering the average whole-home system has a CADR of 660, and the typical in-room (portable) units have a CADR of 103. Ready for an installation? Call Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling today for more information.
Sources:
1ABC News; http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesSeasonal/spring-2012-worst-allergies/story?id=15930328#.T4WYKtV2N6N
2Air Purifier Guide; http://www.airpurifierguide.org/faq/cadr
3Trane; http://www.trane.com/Residential/Downloads/Brochure/AirCleaners/72-1218-07_web.pdf
