Solutions to Improving Your Indoor Air
Because we spend so much of our lives indoors, and today’s houses are designed to keep fresh air out, it’s important for homeowners to know about the solutions available for improving indoor air quality. In fact, because poor indoor air quality has been recognized as a serious health issue, several states in the US, along with Canadian provinces are beginning to require mechanical devices that have a positive impact on the air in the home. The American Lung Association and the EPA are also actively involved in educational and monitoring programs in an effort to improve the indoor air that is so vital to our family’s health. There are a variety of devices that can be used to improve the air in our homes. Several technologies and systems are available that concentrate on two of the key strategies— Ventilation and Filtration. These include heat recovery ventilators, super-efficient HEPA filters and a variety of other high efficiency air cleaners and filters.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
An HRV is a device that moves stale contaminated air from baths and kitchens from inside the home to the outdoors. At the same time it draws fresh, oxygen-rich air from outside, filters it and delivers it throughout your home. Stale, polluted air is constantly being replenished by an equal amount fresh, clean air. As the two air streams pass each other through the HRV they do not mix. However, they do pass on either side of an aluminum heat exchange core that transfers the heat from the air exiting the home to the fresh air coming in.
The efficiency (around 83%) is high enough that virtually all of the energy is transferred and little energy is used to condition the incoming fresh air. During cooling the HRV removes the heat from the incoming fresh air and transfers it to the stale exiting air so that the incoming air is “pre-cooled”.
The AlpinePure model of HRVs is designed to be connected to bathroom and kitchen exhaust ducts, replacing the bathroom/kitchen fans. Independent switches activated in any bathroom turns on the HRV for a 20-minute period. The HRV can also be activated whenever the heating/cooling unit is operating, or for a 40-minute cycle by activating a separate switch conveniently located in the home. By utilizing the HRV for bathroom ventilation, ordinary noisy exhaust fans are eliminated, and fresh outdoor air is introduced indoors without a major efficiency loss.
With an HRV, the volume of stale discharged air and the amount of incoming fresh air is equal, providing a balanced system. Other ventilation strategies may cause depressurization of the home, causing air infiltration into wall cavities which can lead to moisture damage, rot or harmful mold.
HEPA Filters
For the ultimate in air filtration, the HEPA filter is the best choice. It uses the type of filtration technology required in hospitals and operating rooms. HEPA filters are the most efficient mechanical filters for removing small particles which can be breathed deep into the lungs. The AlpinePure brand of HEPA filter has a 99.97% efficiency for particle sizes 0.30 microns and larger.
HEPA filter technology is the most effective way of removing large numbers of the smallest particles. Other less-efficient filtration technologies rate the efficiency in terms of weight, not volume of particles captured. It’s easy to understand that larger-sized particles (more than 5 microns) weigh more than smaller ones. However, the number of large particles in the air may actually account for less than 1% of the total number of particles in the air. The vast majority of the particles in the air are smaller than 5 microns, and these smaller ones are generally more detrimental to your health, so it’s important to remove those by using devices like the AlpinePure HEPA.
MERV 11 Disposable Filters
MERV 11 filters are available in 2-inch and 4-inch thicknesses. “MERV” stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, an industry standard which sets a rated value on the ability of a filter to trap particles ranging in size from 0.3 to 10.0 microns from the air we breathe. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the efficiency. Most ordinary, inexpensive filters found at hardware stores are MERV 4 or lower—they are simply ineffective in capturing smaller particles. MERV 11 filters are much more efficient for both small and large particles including pollens, mold spores, dust, fungal spores, and pet dander. In addition, these filters are pleated to increase the surface area, allowing for more holding capacity and less frequent replacement. Because these filters are disposable, the dirt trapped inside is completely removed from the system when the filter is replaced.
Electrostatic Air Filters
Electrostatic Air Filters provide up to 90% arrestance of dusts, pollens and molds. As the air moves through a configuration of polypropylene filtration media, static electric charges are naturally created to attract and hold particles. This 1” thick filter fits easily into the existing filter rack. The AlpinePure model electrostatic air filter is designed for permanent use—there is no media to replace. Because the AlpinePure ES creates its own static electrical charge, there are no wires to connect or reconnect for cleaning, and no additional cost of operation. Periodic cleaning is simply accomplished using a mild household cleaner and a garden hose.
Electronic Air Cleaners
Electronic air cleaners operate by using a non-ionizing polarized media, creating an active electric field to capture airborne particles with efficiencies of 97% at 0.30 microns. Electronic media air cleaners do an excellent job of removing submicron particles by the process of agglomeration—polarized particles bond with other polarized particles in the air, forming larger particles which are easily removed through the filter. Carbon center screens are included to trap odors and volatile organic compounds. The AlpinePure brand of electronic air cleaner is easily cleaned and the media is easy to replace. Unlike some other electronic air cleaners, the AlpinePure ET creates no harmful ozone or nuisance zapping noises.
