| If you have ever suffered from seasonal allergies | | | | molds than the probable culprit is not the mold |
| or breathing related disorders such as asthma, or | | | | itself but what the mold gives off as part of its |
| chronic sinusitis, you have undoubtedly heard of | | | | lifecycle which are called mycotoxins. These off |
| the necessity for better air filtration than what is | | | | gassings of mold are not typically caught by |
| provided standard in homes by air conditioning | | | | indoor air cleaners and as a result can be a source |
| contractors. Understand that air-conditioning | | | | of irritation even though you may invest in one of |
| contractors are interested in promoting clean | | | | the highest quality air cleaners in the market. If |
| indoor air, but are very limited by people who | | | | you have mold related allergies other strategies |
| sometimes consider better air filtration to be an | | | | are needed other than just air filtration. |
| unnecessary expense, or builders who desire their | | | | When investing in any type of air cleaning system |
| new home to have better fixtures and appliances | | | | that is attached to the air-conditioning or heating |
| than clean air. | | | | system is imperative that your contractor |
| A flood of air cleaners is available today in the | | | | designed the system for the additional reduction |
| market spanning from high technology that is | | | | of airflow. As the filter while being efficient at the |
| proven to lower airborne particulates and | | | | removal of airborne particulates in the airflow |
| technology that is simply mass marketed to the | | | | they can because of their greater resistance to |
| public. What filter is best? Is my iconic breeze | | | | airflow reduce the overall efficiency of an air |
| really suitable for my allergies? Is my investing in | | | | conditioner if they are not accounted for in the |
| a high-end electronic air cleaner, or a true HEPA | | | | initial design. Electrostatic air filters can also |
| air cleaner, or simply better filters such as | | | | dramatically reduce the airflow in an |
| electrostatic filters or pleated filters, going to | | | | air-conditioning system if they are used in multiple |
| improve substantially the air quality in my home? | | | | return air grills in a home without consideration in |
| While all of the above mentioned air cleaners can | | | | the initial design. This means that the average |
| have an impact in improving air quality they vary | | | | homeowner can not go to the home repair retail |
| tremendously in the degree of efficiency. For | | | | store and buy higher efficiency air filtration and |
| many years electronic air cleaners led the | | | | simply stick it in their home without it having |
| forefront as being cutting edge for their removal | | | | future ramifications. |
| of small particulates from the air stream including | | | | So the answer to the question what air filter is |
| even particles as small as pollen and micro | | | | best for me depends on what type of particulate |
| particles less than .3 microns (µ) in size. | | | | you are trying to remove from the air. Are you |
| What was not well discussed about these forms | | | | allergic to molds, grass or tree pollens, pet dander, |
| of air cleaners is although they had a 99% or | | | | dust mites, or other forms of airborne irritants? |
| greater initial efficiency rating within 30 days their | | | | Many off-the-shelf filtration systems that |
| rating plummeted because it was extremely | | | | standalone may lend some relief to typical allergy |
| important to keep the collectors cells clean for | | | | user who suffers from pollens that stay airborne |
| them to continue with a high efficiency. The same | | | | longer, but for truly cleaner air consult with your |
| holds true today for any type of air cleaner that | | | | air conditioning and heating specialist. Make sure |
| requires electrostatic charging of particles. | | | | that they have additional training in the area of |
| The vast majority of homes built today still | | | | indoor air quality (IAQ) as it is not a required |
| feature what the air-conditioning industry | | | | subject for heating and air conditioning contractors |
| humorously calls "boulder catchers" for filters. | | | | to study. Many contractors have obtained |
| These blue disposable filters are good at best for | | | | certification as C.I.E.s which means certified indoor |
| the removal of large chunks of air debris such as | | | | environmentalists and are much better qualified to |
| pet dander, hair, or carpet fibers, and only | | | | assist you in making the proper selection for clean |
| increase in their overall efficiency when they | | | | indoor air. |
| become thoroughly clogged creating a resistance | | | | Simply investing in whatever air cleaner is on the |
| for smaller particles but at a sacrifice of the | | | | market today will probably be a waste of your |
| operating efficiency of the cooling system. | | | | money if it is not suitable for the type of material |
| So the question is what air cleaning system should | | | | you need removed from your air. Making the air |
| I use? The answer is complex and is really based | | | | in your home comfortable for you if you suffer |
| on what you want to remove from the air. | | | | from allergies or asthma really requires |
| Pollens because of their light airborne nature have | | | | consultation with an expert in this field. Spend time |
| a tendency to stay suspended in air longer and | | | | researching on the Internet, asking questions of |
| thus are more effectively removed by air | | | | your doctor, who may or may not have the |
| cleaners than particles of dust that may be of | | | | proper answer, and consult with a properly trained |
| larger size and heavy enough to fall from the air | | | | air conditioning specialist for advice on what is the |
| without ever even reaching any type of air | | | | best way to approach the problem you have. Oh |
| cleaner. This is one reason why room air cleaners | | | | and one more thing, throw away your indoor |
| such as stand alone HEPA filters are much more | | | | vacuum cleaner. They are a major source of |
| effective in homes with allergy sufferers because | | | | airborne irritants. If you can afford it and it is |
| the removal of heavier particles from the air can | | | | feasible install a vacuum system where the actual |
| be concentrated in an area before the particles fall | | | | vacuum cleaner resides in the garage or outside. |
| to the ground and are no longer able to reach the | | | | This one step alone can dramatically reduce the |
| return air grill of the heating and cooling system. | | | | amount of airborne irritants even if you do not |
| One of the concerns with the quality of indoor air | | | | have carpet throughout your house in an attempt |
| is can the pollutant even be removed by an air | | | | to reduce allergens. |
| cleaner? If you are allergic to certain types of | | | | |