Airborne particulate matter, which is also called particle pollution, is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets that are suspended in the air. Some of the particles can be seen with the naked eye, but many others are so small that they require an electron microscope to be seen. Exposure to particulate matter puts you at an increased risk for many health problems. That’s why it’s important to remove this pollution from your Schaumburg, IL home. We recommend three methods for getting these pollutants out of your home’s air.
Upgrade Your Air Filter
Some airborne pollutants are 10 micrometers or larger in size. These pollutants include smoke, soot, ash, oil droplets and dust, explains the Environmental Protection Agency. Upgrading your HVAC filter to one with a minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating of 16 or higher will trap more than 95% of particles in that 10-micrometer size range. Choosing a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter helps with the removal of particle pollution after it settles onto upholstery and carpet.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers and cleaners use media or electrostatic filters, or UV-C energy to remove airborne particulate matter from your home’s air. There are portable air purification units that you can place in a bedroom or move around your home. You could also consider a whole-home air purifier. These are installed into your home’s ductwork and clean the cooled or heated air before it reaches the rooms of your home.
Mechanical Ventilators
The ventilation rate of your home also plays an important role in removing airborne particulate matter. When you’re cleaning, cooking, painting, or doing other activities that generate liquid and solid particles, the ventilators remove the polluted air and replace it with fresh outdoor air that’s filtered. Whole-home fans, energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators are a few options.
To learn more about removing airborne particulate matter from your home, take a look at Ray’s HVAC’s air purifiers and mechanical ventilators, or reach out to us today.
