Using your HVAC systems as a plan to protect yourself and family from COVID-19 and other viruses
Running your HVAC system can help reduce airborne contaminants, such as viruses, but only when used in conjunction with other best practices. Here are some recommendations to keep your air clean at home:
- Make sure your system is running for longer times, or all the time, HVAC systems will only filter air as long as they are running. Consider running the fan even when your heating and cooling is not on.
- Check your filter to make sure that it is in place. You should also consider upgrading to higher efficiency filter system. At reliable heating we highly recommend using High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air filter to remove airborne particles in your home.
- Your home may have outside air intake, if so open it. You should consult your HVAC manual or an HVAC professional for details.
- Check to see if your home has a energy-efficient air-to-air heat exchanger, heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) you should use it because they increase ventilation.
High Efficiency furnace filters
High efficiency air filters are the best air filters for HVAC systems and do a better job at removing pollutants from the air in your home. You need to select the right air filter for your home based on Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), ones that range between 7 and 12 are considered good quality.
High efficiency air filters are the most effective for residential HVAC systems. Some of which are made from 4-5” pleated synthetic cotton which can trap as much as 95% of particles which include tiny dust particles, pollen, irritants, and mold. You may also want to consider UV filters that kill germs with its UV light.
There are even better filters with MERV rating between 9 and 16, which restrict airflow as well as static pressure. This type of filter, however, may restrict airflow too much and cause breakdowns in your equipment. For example, air conditioning ice build-up during the summer months and furnace over heating during the winter months. The alternative solution is to install an external HEPA filtrations system that connects to your furnace.
How much can HEPA air filters help?
Having the HEPA filter inside your home will remove airborne particles that cause allergies in some people or worse. There are a lot of airborne particles that come from your rug, bedding, drapes, and tabletops so always try to keep these areas clean. The filters will help to remove irritating particles from your air but you should also vacuum often, replace carpet with flooring where possible, change your bedsheets often, replace your home drapes with role up shades, and use high efficiency furnace filters.
To learn more about air filtration call reliable heating and we will make sure you breath clean fresh air in the comfort of your home.
