Breathe Easier with Better Indoor Air Quality

Spring is just around the corner, and that’s great news if you’re eager to get outside. Most people spend about 90% of their time inside, and growing evidence shows that indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside.

The good news is there are several ways to improve the air quality inside your home.

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

1. Air Filtration / Purification

Basic, 1-inch air filters in your HVAC system can trap larger dust and dirt particles. Efficient filtration can trap bacteria, virus-carrying small particles, mold spores. For even better whole-home filtration, the Carrier Infinity® Air Purifier captures and inactivates select airborne viruses and bacteria trapped in its MERV 15 filter.*

Additional steps you can take to improve air filtration include:

• Run your indoor furnace or fan coil on constant fan
• Inspect/replace your air filter routinely
• Have your HVAC system cleaned and maintained annually

2. Ventilation

Indoor air pollutants come from a number of sources – pollens, molds, viruses, dust mites, animal dander, carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke and volatile organic compounds from common household products.

Improving ventilation is the next step:

• Use available exhaust fans when cooking, showering, cleaning or using other household chemicals
• As us about whole-home ventilation systems – Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) that efficiently bring fresh air inside and exhaust stale air outside

3. Humidity Control

Most people know that high humidity can cause discomfort in the hot, summer months. But according to the CDC, dust mites thrive in 70% – 80% humidity and temperatures between 75° – 80° F. High humidity also provides an environment conducive to mold growth. That’s why maintaining relative indoor humidity between 40% – 60% is recommended to help keep dust mites and mold at bay.

To control humidity in your home:

• Run the air conditioner when it’s hot and humid
• Talk to us about whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

High-end AC systems like the Carrier® Infinity® air conditioner with Greenspeed® intelligence allow you to select a specific humidity setting for moisture control. If you have anyone living in your home considered vulnerable to the effects of poor indoor air quality, or if you just spend a lot of time indoors and want to breathe a little easier, we are an excellent resource for finding a solution.

At Gross Heating, we know that being comfortable in your own home is about more than the right temperature—it’s knowing that you’re doing all you can to keep your family safe and healthy. Our indoor air quality systems can significantly improve the quality of the air you share, so everyone feels just right. Contact us today for an AirAdvice test and a free estimate on IAQ solutions.

*The Infinity® air purifier has demonstrated effectiveness against the murine coronavirus, based on third-party testing (2020) showing a >99% inactivation, which is a virus similar to the human novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Therefore, the Infinity air purifier can be expected to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 when used in accordance with its directions for use. Third-party testing (2012, 2007) also shows =99% inactivation for the type of virus that causes common colds, Streptococcus pyogenes and human influenza. Airborne particles must flow through your HVAC system and be trapped by the MERV 15 Infinity filter to be inactivated at 99%. The Infinity air purifier achieves a MERV 15 rating based on third-party testing (2012) showing 95% of particles size 1.0 to 3.0 microns captured and 85% of particles size 0.3 to 1.0 microns captured.