According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States of America produced approximately 68 million tons of air pollution in 2020 alone (https://www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality-national-summary). This number is surprisingly an improvement from years prior but is still far from ideal. Those living in cities with large populations or industrial areas with large factories are even more at risk than others. Close proximity to industrial areas and crowded cities increases one's exposure to air pollution.
You would think your home is safe but the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. This might be surprising but particles like dust and dander are notorious for lowering air quality inside homes. Household items like cleaning supplies, paint, and even specific types of carpeting can also cause problems.
Fortunately, by maintaining your HVAC system, using advanced home air filters, and purifiers you can dramatically lower the presence of harmful air pollutants. Listed below are some of the benefits of using advanced home air filters.
1. Reduced Exposure to Airborne Illnesses
Most viruses that infect us regularly such as influenza are contracted from the air around us. When people cough and sneeze, particles carrying the virus are released into the air and contracted by those nearby.
Air filters and purifiers help reduce exposure to viruses as the filtration system absorbs them out of the air being circulated in your home.
2. Protection Against Allergies
Based on a study conducted by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), about 50 million Americans experienced at least one type of allergy each year. Pet dander, pollen, dust mites, etc are notorious for causing allergic reactions at home.
Air filters with purification capabilities can trap up to 99% of dust, pollen, and pet dander. This greatly reduces exposure and as a result, can help you reduce the effects of seasonal allergies.
3. Longer Air Conditioning Life
A lot of people complain about their home's HVAC system not doing its job. This is quite common and mainly happens due to large amounts of indoor air pollution, dirty air filters, old air filters, or a combination of all three.
Using an advanced type of air filter for your home, such as the PUREFLOW® Home Furnace Air Filter with 4 layers of advanced filtration technology, can greatly reduce pollution as well as improve the lifespan and capabilities of your home’s HVAC system.
4. Better for Children & the Elderly
Indoor air pollution is not helping anyone. But it is especially harmful to children and the elderly as their immune systems are weaker compared to others. So, if you have young children or elders at home, it is highly recommended to maintain your HVAC system and change your home air filter on a routine basis. This will help to reduce exposure to air pollutants and even mold. Cleaner air will also help them keep their immune system healthy as it would no longer be overworked combating particulate matter.
5. Combats Bad Odours
Smokers and pet owners know that their habits and furry little friends tend to leave bad odors around the house. If your home air filter is outdated or dirty, these odors will then be circulated throughout your home. While you might be comfortable with cigarette smoke or the odors left by your beloved pet, it’s likely your guests aren’t. Using a newer and more advanced air filter can help remove cigarette and pet odor.
6. Reduces symptoms of Asthma
Did you know? Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from asthma and it’s the leading chronic disease affecting children. High levels of air pollution have been linked with an increase in the severity of asthma symptoms and this makes using air filters at home even more important. HEPA home filters can trap up to 99% of any airborne particle with a size of 0.3 microns.
7. Improves Sleep
Sleep is perhaps our bodies' only time to rest and recover from our busy schedules. Good sleep can improve both physical as well as mental recovery, which is why it is important to try and optimize it every way we can. With reduced levels of indoor pollution, our body can better recover as it no longer must work to fight contaminants in the air around us. A clean & fresh indoor atmosphere will help you achieve better sleep faster.
To keep your home smelling clean and fresh be sure to have your HVAC system serviced twice a year. This normally occurs in the fall and the spring in preparation for using the heat during the colder months and the air conditioning during the summer. For your air purifier please follow the maintenance instructions listed in your owner’s manual.
