The air we breathe in our homes is all too easy to take for granted. But when someone in the family develops a respiratory condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or an allergy to dander and dust, clean indoor air becomes a concern — as well as a priority.
Of course, you can take several measures to boost the air quality in your home. You can start using fragrance-free laundry products and eliminating sources of dust. Regularly changing the filter in your furnace can go a long way toward minimizing airborne dust, as well. Eventually, however, you may conclude that an air cleaner is something your home needs.
When you start looking for an air cleaner, you’ll find that you have quite a few choices. You might be tempted to buy a portable air device, primarily because it’s less expensive than a whole-house air cleaner. But even though a portable air cleaner can do an admirable job, it can’t keep your entire home pollutant-free. It can clean the air in only a limited space.
For a comprehensive approach, you’re better off considering a system that will treat the entire air stream in your home. So what are your options?
- An air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air filter works along with your forced-air system to remove nearly all particulate matter from the air. Carbon filtration in some systems also removes odors. Look for a unit that does not produce ozone, which can exacerbate breathing problems.
- An electronic air cleaner also removes particulates. But while the extremely dense HEPA filter traps the particulates, an electronic air cleaner charges them, causing the particulates to drop out of the air.
- An ultraviolet light system removes airborne mold and germs by destroying their DNA. HEPA filters and UV lights are recommended for hospital operating rooms. If a cold or flu can severely compromise the health of one of your family members, you might want to consider this combination.
Concerned about the air quality in your home, or have problems with any of your home-comfort systems? Contact the Rheem Pro Partner in Denver, Colorado Springs or Centennial. Customer satisfaction is our No. 1 priority.
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