Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality
If you stepped outside in the past few weeks, the sky took on a haze we aren’t used to seeing. The Canadian wildfire smoke drifted into Western Pennsylvania putting many counties we serve into Code Orange and Code Red air quality days.
These alerts, from the U.S. AirNow Air Quality Index (AQI), warn people when pollution, such as wildfire smoke or ozone, reaches unhealthy levels. Code Orange means the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Code Red means it is unhealthy for everyone.
And you are probably wondering if that smoke stays outside or drifts inside your space. Even with windows and doors closed, the air does work its way into homes due to tiny gaps around your HVAC system.
What happens if wildfire smoke gets into my home?
Wildfire smoke carries fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. These can enter your body through breathing and cross into your bloodstream. They bypass natural defenses like nasal hair, reaching the air sacs in your lungs.
And it’s not just wildfire smoke that affects air quality. It’s seasonal allergens, mold spores and airborne bacteria.
Since most of us spend the majority of time indoors, the air quality inside your home or business matters just as much as what’s happening outside. Most homes do not have the proper sealing to keep smoke and other particles out and your HVAC system is one area you can upgrade for your protection.
How does my HVAC system help keep out particles in the air?
Every time your heating or cooling system cycles air through your home, it’s also cycling through whatever your filter can, or cannot, catch. A basic, low-cost filter is designed to protect your equipment, and it will grab larger dust and debris, but fine wildfire smoke particles and others can pass right through.
Filter selection is key. Higher-rated filters trap more contaminants, but your system also needs the ability to handle the added airflow resistance. If not, you can end up straining the equipment or making it less efficient.
At Shafer’s HVAC, we can help match the right Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rated filter to your specific system.
What can I do to improve my HVAC system and air quality in my home?
Standard filters are a good first line of defense, but we suggest looking into the PremierOne air purification system, a whole-home solution built to tackle what a basic filter leaves behind.
PremierOne systems combine high-efficiency filtration with germicidal UV-C technology to target particles, allergens and microorganisms throughout your entire ductwork, not just at the filter slot.
The UV side goes further than filtration alone. High-intensity UVC lamps installed in your ductwork disrupt viruses, bacteria and mold spores at the DNA level, stopping them from reproducing and spreading through your home’s air, while also breaking down stubborn odors from cooking, pets and smoke at the molecular level instead of just masking them.
Because the UV light also keeps coils and drain pans free of mold and bacteria buildup, your system runs more efficiently and lasts longer. The lamps are built to last too, with high-output twin-tube design, bulbs rated for up to two years and a lifetime warranty on the electronics.
You can learn more about how the system works on our PremierOne Air Purification System page.
While we handle the technical side, there’s plenty you can do the moment an air quality alert is issued. Keep this list handy.
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run your HVAC system on recirculate or “on” fan mode
- Skip burning candles, wood-burning appliances and even vacuuming (which can stir up settled particles)
- Schedule a filter check
- Watch for signs like reduced airflow, musty odors, or a system that seems to be running constantly and give us a call before it turns into a bigger repair
Shafer’s HVAC has been solving indoor comfort and air quality challenges for homes and businesses across Kittanning, Butler and the surrounding Armstrong, Allegheny, Indiana and Westmoreland County communities for decades.
Whether you need a filter recommendation, a full HVAC maintenance checkup, or want to explore whether the PremierOne air purification system is right for your space, our team is ready to help.
Ready to take control of your indoor air quality? Contact Shafer’s HVAC today to schedule your free comfort evaluation.
