The Science Behind Air Purifiers

Looking to improve your indoor air quality? Then look into air purifier science for ways to deal with a variety of airborne pollutants. 

Air purifier science reveals how the air inside our homes is often worse than that outside. While stopping pollutants at the source is the best way to deal with them, you may need extra help from air-cleaning devices.

Have a look at how knowing more about air purifier science can help you make the right choice for cleaning your air. Here are some of the most popular devices for residential air cleaning. You may also find purifiers that combine the technology of some of these products in one device. 

Mechanical Filter

Many homeowners choose flimsy fiberglass air filters for their HVAC systems. These are only good for keeping larger particles of dirt out of your system. If you want to clean the air, you'll need dense pleated filters. These trap small particles, including pollen, pet dander, and dust mite particles — the cause of many allergies in the home.

Washable Filter

Washable (or permanent) filters catch particles as they pass through the system with the return air by means of an electrostatic charge. The collection plates must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.

HEPA Filter

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are extra dense to catch the finest particles. While you would have to modify your HVAC system to use one, you can buy stand-alone HEPA air purifiers.

Ozone Purifiers

These purifiers clean the air by means of a negative ion that attaches to fine particles. The drawback with this device is that they produce ozone, which can be harmful to those with allergies.

Activated Charcoal

This type of air purifier helps get rid of gases such as cigarette smoke.

UVGI Lights

UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) lights are installed inside the HVAC system. They disrupt the DNA of living pollutants such as germs, mildew, and mold.

For more on air purifier science, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

W+hy Does My House Have a Musty Smell?

If you experience a musty smell when returning home, odds mold or mildew is growing somewhere inside your home. Mold has a fluffy appearance and can be white, black, or colorful. Food often becomes moldy as it rots. A few types of cheese, like blue and Roquefort, have veins of mold growing inside them. Mildew is a powdery substance that grows on living plants and fabrics like carpeting, drapes and upholstery.Mold and mildew are mother nature’s natural decomposers. Both require moisture and organic matter as food to thrive. When you smell it in your home, it indicates that there is a colony of mold or mildew growing somewhere. The odor may be an early warning sign for water leaks inside walls or a basement that’s wicking water from the soil. Other sources might be plumbing fixtures like sink drains, washing machine, or the garbage disposal.

Finding the Source

Your nose is the best way to track down the source of the musty smell. If it’s in the walls, look for mildew or mold growing on the drywall or nearby. Leaking pipes, ice dams, or roof leaks can send water into the walls or ceilings. Spongy drywall also indicates mold.Plumbers use cameras to find the source of leaks inside walls or ceilings and you might be able to find a roof leak by entering the attic on a sunny day and looking for daylight. Wet insulation also indicates a roof leak. Look for compressed areas or darker areas.

Getting Rid of the Problem

Vinegar is one of the least toxic ways to get rid of mold and mildew. Pour it down the sink drains or add some to the washing machine. Washing or deep cleaning fabrics might remove the mildew odor. Having the HVAC thoroughly cleaned, including the ducts, can remove much of the smell as well. Putting UV (ultraviolet) lights in the HVAC system will also stop mold and mildew infestations.

For more information about getting rid of the musty smell, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

UV Lights and Your Home's Air

UV lights provide one of the simplest and most effective tools to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). UV (ultraviolet) is a spectrum of sunlight that sanitizes the air and it’s particularly effective at preventing the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and mold spores. It works by attacking the outer shell of microscopic, organic particles. As a result, their altered DNA won’t be able to reproduce, which keeps them from spreading.

The lights have been used for decades inside hospitals and clinics to control the spread of infectious diseases and they’re also available for use in home HVAC systems. They’re placed inside the ductwork or in the air handler. Inside HVAC systems, they prevent the proliferation of airborne germs that would otherwise spread throughout the home.

These lights are also one of the few ways to manage volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accumulate in the home when the doors and windows need to be closed. VOCs are byproducts of many ordinary household products made from hydrocarbons like cleaners, perfumes, new paint, exhaust from vehicles and yard equipment. Their side effects range from mildly irritating to serious. When exposed to UV lights, VOCs change and become less harmful.

Their Benefits

• Lower disease transmission. When viruses and bacteria can’t reproduce, they can’t flourish and spread.

• Affordability. The lights are an affordable way to clean the air, compared to other air cleaners and purifiers. They don’t require filters and don’t take up valuable space. They’re out of sight in the HVAC system.

• They operate effortlessly and soundlessly. Depending on the dust load in your home, the lights only need cleaning every six months. They need to be replaced after a year of normal use.

• Increase energy efficiency. When placed inside the air handler, the lights prevent the growth of mold and biofilms on the evaporator coil, the part of the air conditioning system responsible for removing the heat. A clean coil speeds the cooling process.

Installing UV lights in your HVAC system will improve IAQ 24/7. To learn more, contact the pros at Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Considering UV Lights to Improve IAQ? Here's What You Need to Know

Using ultraviolet light to sterilize air and water is nothing new. It's been a proven means to control living organisms such as mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria and viruses for several decades in hospitals and in industrial and research settings. UV lights can also be installed in your home's HVAC system as a means to control these pollutants whenever they threaten your indoor air quality.

How UVGI Works

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology is pretty simple. Focusing light from the ultraviolet section of the light spectrum, UVGI bulbs destroy the reproductive ability of living microorganisms by penetrating cell walls and disrupting their DNA. UVGI air cleaners basically consist of strong light bulbs, installed near the evaporator coils of the HVAC system, and in the ducts. The bulbs shine on the damp areas of the evaporator coils, where condensation may lead to a buildup of mold and mildew. They may also be focused on the surfaces of the ducts, where they sterilize the return air as it passes into the system, killing microorganisms before they can be redistributed into your home's supply air.

Facts About UVGI

1. Before you install UVGI technology, be sure you address any excessively moist conditions in your home. High humidity is usually caused by leaking plumbing, leaks in attics or flooding in basements. Fix these problems so that you can maintain balanced humidity in your home. If you suspect mold or mildew (a musty smell and the visual presence of mold are key), UVGI lights should be used in conjunction with efforts to reduce high humidity.

2. UVGI lights have been shown to be effective at reducing microorganisms that aggravate allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues.

3. UVGI systems are fairly easy to install and use, although installation can be a bit pricey.

4. Ultraviolet light bulbs should be changed annually, as they are only effective when the light is strong.

5. Never look directly at a UV light. Although they do not burn hot, the light can damage the retina.

For more information on UV lights, contact Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Can UV Lights Really Eliminate Furnace Smells?

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about dirty furnaces is the smell that often comes along with them. Many people have been turning to UV lights to help eliminate potentially harmful organic pollutants and the odor they can spread throughout your home.

Where Furnace Smells Originate

When we think of harmful pollutants like bacteria and mold, our primary concern is usually the danger they pose to our health, especially in those who suffer from respiratory issues, such as allergies and asthma. What you may not realize is that the accumulation of these elements are usually the source of musty odors in your furnace. As air is drawn through your ductwork and redistributed throughout your home, these smells can quickly fill your entire residence if left unchecked.

How UV Lights Eliminate Odors

Put simply, these high-intensity lights eliminate odors by reducing the amount of organic pollutants found in your home. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which these pollutants have no defense against, disrupts their DNA and interferes with reproduction. This reduction can be done by either treating the air in your home or your HVAC system's components. When the pollutants are gone, so are the odors that accompany them.

Professional Installation is Key

Installing UV lights is not something you should attempt yourself. Installation must be done by a professional HVAC technician, who will typically accomplish the task one of two ways. The first technique is to place the lights in an area where the air being pulled through your ductwork will be treated before being redistributed to other areas of your home. The second technique is to install the lights in such a way that your problem HVAC components are bathed in ultraviolet radiation as needed.

For more expert advice on UV lights, or if you have any other questions related to home comfort, please don't hesitate to contact the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in thearea about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “art_of_sun/Shutterstock”

UV Lights May Be Just the Solution for Your Indoor Air Quality Issues

AirAssurance 9.26.13

The health of you and anyone else who lives in your household should be of utmost importance. To relieve the possibility of any respiratory problems and keep your air as fresh as possible, the installation of UV lights is a must. Let's take a look at how these systems can clean the air of your Broken Arrow area home.What They DoThe only purpose of UV lights is to eliminate the danger of microorganisms in your air. These include pollutants ranging from bacteria and viruses to mold spores and mildew. These particles can cause a number of respiratory issues once they reach your lungs. For those who suffer from allergies or asthma, even minimal exposure can have a lasting effect.Placement of the LightsOnce exposed to UV lights, microorganisms break down at the molecular level. Installation at the induct coil of your HVAC system, far away from human exposure, is typically recommended over placing them at the site of the evaporator coil. This is because the moisture at the induct coil causes mold and mildew to develop there, so these lights can specifically target this problem area, in addition to the surrounding ductwork. As your system draws air through these ducts, microorganisms in the air are drawn along and can be killed as they flow past the lights.Energy SavingsPast versions of UV light systems have had a drawback: energy use. Previous models were designed to utilize a high-intensity light at maximum power 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This use adds up quickly, and you can see the results on your power bill every month. Newer models, however, utilize variable power settings. As microorganisms approach the lights, the air is analyzed to determine the precise UV strength needed to eliminate the threat, thereby saving you money.For more expert advice with UV lights or any other home comfort issues, be sure to contact the experts at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of the Greater Tulsa Metropolitan area since 1985.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Whole-House Air Purifiers: Which Is Right For Your Home?

Over the course of a single day, the average person inhales up to 3,500 gallons of air. In a home that is rife with indoor pollution, inhaling household particulates like dust, pet dander, mold, pollen and other airborne particulates can easily create a variety of respiratory problems. Over 40 million Americans suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments that are caused or further aggravated by indoor air pollutants. Having some sort of air filtration system is important for maintaining high air quality.

Room air purifiers are effective at removing some airborne particulates. However, these devices only work on a room-to-room basis and make use of ozone, which could be harmful in high quantities. Whole-house air purifiers work to remove pollutants from the entire home via the home’s own HVAC system. These air filtration systems work in a variety of ways:

• Some systems simply use an air filter in the main return air duct of the HVAC system. The HVAC fan pulls air through this filter before returning it as conditioned air.

• Other systems employ a filter installed after the heating and cooling components. The HVAC fan pushes conditioned air through a set of double-V shaped filters, purifying the air before returning it to the indoor environment. With their high concentration of filter material, these filters trap a substantial number of pollutants.

• There are also ozone-type air cleaners available that are designed for whole-house use. These units also fit within the ductwork, but like room air purifiers, there’s also the concern of ozone buildup.

Some systems combine these methods with the use of ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and other pollutants not caught by HEPA filtration. No matter which air filtration system you choose, you’ll want one that carries the best warranty available. The best systems offer limited warranties that last from five to ten years. Others have guarantees of at least 10x better air quality.

For more information on how whole-house air purifiers can improve the quality of your home’s indoor air, contact us at Air Assurance today. We have the testing equipment to show you what a difference we can make.  Since 1985, we’ve put our experience and knowledge to work serving customers in Broken Arrow, Tulsa and the surrounding areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

How UV Lights Work With Your HVAC System To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Problems with your indoor air quality? Perhaps what your Oklahoma home needs is a collection of UV lights to help you clean out all the nasty pollutants that have invaded your house. With their uncanny ability to destroy airborne particles, UV lights could improve your indoor air quality significantly.The power of ultraviolet raysWe all know the dangers from extended exposure to the ultraviolet radiation emanating from our sun. Why else would we lather ourselves with slimy sunblock and pay a fortune for a pair of sunglasses? Too much exposure leads to damaged skin and, in some cases, skin cancer.The reason for this is simple: ultraviolet rays have the ability to penetrate and cause mutation of our cells. In humans, this causes health problems. Airborne pollutants, however, have no way of protecting themselves, which means that exposure is a death sentence. UV lights literally break down and destroy these harmful particles.The power of cooperationAirborne pollutants, which include mold spores, bacteria, virus, aerosol contaminants, dust mites and quite a few other types of particles, can cause respiratory problems if they are inhaled. In the fight against these pollutants, the high intensity ultraviolet lights don't have to work alone. They have a partner in your HVAC system.How this works is simple, too: first, the UV lights are installed at either the induct or compressor coil of your HVAC unit. When the system is switched on, the particles are drawn into your ductwork. After a while, the pollutants make their way toward the coil, where the ultraviolet lights are lying in wait. Over time, this process will result in the destruction of many of the pollutants in your home.As if that wasn't enough, there's an added benefit of installing ultraviolet lights. By destroying the airborne pollutants before they finish going through your ductwork, they won't get a chance to clog up your HVAC system.For more expert advice about UV lights, or for questions relating to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We proudly serve the residents of Broken Arrow and its surrounding areas.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Consider UV Lights Alongside HVAC Equipment

Research has shown that indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air found outdoors. Considering that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, inferior indoor air quality can present a major health threat. Adding ultraviolet (UV) lights to a heating and cooling system can be an excellent way to combat poor air quality and increase the comfort level in homes and other buildings.UV light air-purification systems clean indoor air by eliminating harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, germs, mold and other allergens. As these health-threatening microorganisms travel through the UV light, their molecular bonds are broken down and their harmful effects are destroyed.The Lancet (a world-renowned medical journal) conducted a study that explored the effectiveness of UV light systems. The study placed ultraviolet light purification systems in a number of different office buildings and evaluated the health of people who worked in the buildings over the course of a year.At the end of the year, it was determined that the sickness level of the workers was lowered by 20 percent. They also saw  a 60 percent drop in respiratory problems. Additionally, the UV lights assisted in reducing the amount of muscle-related problems by half. The study also concluded that nonsmokers and the workers who suffered from allergies benefited the most from the UV light purification systems.If your home's air quality is less than optimal, you should consider adding a UV light purification system to your home comfort equipment. As research has shown, UV lights can work exceptionally well with a heating and cooling system to improve indoor air quality.If you determine that a UV light system is right for you, ask for expert assistance in finding the unit that would work the best. The professional technicians at Air Assurance are trained to help you in choosing the proper heating and cooling equipment for your home, and in cleaning up indoor air. Contact us today for further information. We're always happy to help.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.