Are you underestimating the importance of good indoor air quality? Many Franklin homeowners are unaware that according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is one of the five most serious environmental health threats. Protecting your family's health from indoor air pollutants starts with good ventilation. However, sometimes ventilation is limited by weather or the presence of outdoor contaminants--and sometimes even the best ventilation is not enough. Indoor air cleaners can help improve your Franklin home's indoor air quality and reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants.

What Are Indoor Air Cleaners?

Indoor air cleaners are devices that remove pollutants from the air inside your Franklin home. Some of these devices are designed to be installed directly in your home's HVAC ductwork, while others are portable devices intended to clean the air in one room at a time. Franklin homeowners should know that indoor air cleaners can help to remove gaseous pollutants and particles from the air, which may reduce negative health effects. Here are some common indoor air pollutants and sources of pollution:

Gaseous pollutants:

• Cooking stoves
• Vehicle exhaust
• Smoke
• Paints
• Building materials
• Household cleaning products
• Pesticides

Particle pollutants:

• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Animal dander
• Mold
• Bacteria
• Viruses

Types of Air Cleaning Devices

Various kinds of air cleaners are available to suit different needs. The best indoor air cleaner for your home will vary depending on what kind of air pollution you need to address. The first three kinds of air cleaners are designed to remove particles from the air.

• Mechanical air cleaners reduce particle pollution by trapping particles in flat or pleated filters.
• Electronic air cleaning devices attract particle pollutants using electrostatics and trap them on flat collector plates.
• Ionizers emit ions which attach to particle pollutants and cause them to settle onto the floor or walls faster.
• Gas-phase air filters, on the other hand, remove one or more gaseous pollutants from the air, absorbing them with a material called a sorbent.

To learn more about indoor air cleaners or if you have any HVAC-related questions, contact Tri-County Heating and Cooling today. We serve the Franklin area.