Air Purification Reduces Viruses in A/C and Heating Systems
Do I need an air purifier?
Indoor air, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, can be more polluted than the outdoor air. Some reports indicate the air inside can be up to five times dirtier than the air around the home. With increased awareness of airborne pathogens, consumers should consider an air purification system.
A variety of pollutants exist in our homes beyond cigarette smoke, dust, and pet dander. Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), mold/mildew, and other gaseous sources can contribute to a mixture of unhealthy pollutants that circulate through an HVAC system. These can be inhaled contributing to or causing health issues including headaches, fatigue, and lung irritation as well as viral infections like the flu.
Remove Flu Virus from the Air
Beyond removing the source of pollutants and improving the ventilation of your home, using an air cleaner or air purification system can eliminate many of the particulates, gases, and VOC’s that affect indoor air quality (IAQ).
As with most any selection process, there is a wide range of types and sizes of air purifiers available. Some range from inexpensive table-top models and floor models all the way to more expensive whole-home systems.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Commonly, air purification systems like these rely on a combination of UV light or an ionizer plus mechanical filtration like a HEPA filter. Temp Control, however, recommends a different system that targets odors, viruses, and bacteria in addition to common pollutants. The Reme Halo and Halo-LED whole-home in-duct air purifiers offer nascent technology that clears the air using proprietary technology from RGF.
The Reme Halo produces hydro-peroxide plasma that is distributed through a home’s airflow, purifying pollutants throughout the house–airborne and on surfaces. While portable units might work well in small areas of a home and only on airborne material, the Reme Halo system kills bacteria and viruses throughout as well as reduces VOCs, smoke, odors, and allergens. The Reme Halo requires no maintenance and only needs a replacement cell approximately every two years that can be performed by the homeowner without tools.
Like the Reme Halo, the Halo-LED is also an in-duct system that treats the air. It uses an LED lamp and patented Phi and Reme technology to attack smoke odors, VOCs, allergens, dust, and common particulates. The Halo-LED also reduces airborne and surface microbials and viruses. Plus, the maintenance on the Halo-LED offers a lot less effort than standard air purifiers. It uses a washable ceramic catalyst and the LED array lasts 2.5 times longer than UV lamps.
An important thing to consider with any air purification system is exactly what kind of pollutants the system is capable of removing and what kind of maintenance is involved. The filters in portable models are usually changed annually and the cost per filter should be researched before purchasing. The Reme Halo and Halo-LED offer significantly lower maintenance and attack a wide array of pollutants that we are becoming increasingly aware of indoor air quality.
As with any sophisticated technology, it is recommended that a licensed and certified contractor like Temp Control’s HVAC professionals do an examination of your current system before purchasing and installing any kind of air purification system.