The Presidential Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. team of experts, has been helping families and businesses live and work more comfortably since 1981. We understand the importance of removing contaminants from the air we breathe. Our experts can help customize a solution that is right for your specific environment.
Click on the links below to read more about each topic:
- Understanding the Quality of Air in Your Home
- What is Polluting the Air in Your Home?
- How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
- Indoor Air Quality Products
Understanding the Quality of Air in Your Home
We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. Understanding, and improving, the quality of the air we breathe is important to our overall health. A growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within our homes can be seriously more polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest industrialized cities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded there are typically 2-10 times more pollutants indoors than out-of-doors.
The EPA considers indoor air pollution the number one environmental health problem in the United States and have determined these pollutants are responsible for as much as 50% of all illnesses.
What is Polluting the Air in Your Home?
Indoor pollutants can be placed into two groups, biologic and chemical.
Biologic pollutants include bacteria, molds, viruses, animal dander, cat saliva, dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. These biologic pollutants can be related to some serious health effects including shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy and even digestive problems. Allergic reactions are the result of repeated exposure and immunologic sensitization to particular biologic allergens. Asthmatic responses to pollutants can be life threatening.
Chemical pollutants include tobacco smoke and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOC’s are organic chemicals that vaporize and become gases at normal room temperatures. Examples of common items that release VOCs include: cleaning products, paints, varnishes, disinfecting and air freshening products, building materials, home furnishings.
If not enough outdoor air is brought indoors, emissions from indoor sources cannot be diluted or carried out of the home. This increases indoor air pollutant levels. Temperature and humidity levels can also increase the concentration of some pollutants.
| Issue/Source | Symptom |
| Biological Pollutants Pets, dust mites, mold, pollen, animal dander |
Known to trigger and worsen asthma and allergy symptoms |
| Chemical Pollutants Cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics, air fresheners |
Nausea and headaches. At high levels, can cause eye irritation |
| Relative Humidity Too much or not enough moisture in the air |
Too Moist – Mold and dust mites, warping of wood furnishings Too Dry – Nosebleeds, dry eyes and skin, cracking of wood furnishings |
| Mold and Bacteria on the Cooling Coil Dampness |
Known to trigger and worsen asthma and allergy symptoms, coughing, respiratory issues |
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
- Bring More Fresh Air into Your Home
- Remove Biologic and Chemical Pollutants
- Kill Viruses (including Coronavirus)
- Add Humidity in the Winter
- Remove Humidity in the Summer
- Remove Humidity from Damp Locations
- Prevent Mold and Bacterial from Growing on Your Equipment
There are a variety of components that help achieve and maintain healthy indoor air quality. The various components work conjunction with each other though not all are necessary in every environment. The first step is to improve the quality of the air inside your home is to have a professional Indoor Air Quality expert test and evaluate it. Once they have all the facts they can recommend the appropriate Indoor Air Quality component for your environment.
Diagram of Indoor Air Quality Product Installation in a Residential Heating and Air Conditioning System
Indoor Air Quality Products
Ventilators. A fresh air ventilation system brings fresh air from the outside into the home, disrupting and diluting stagnant indoor air. Fresh air is brought into the home through vents on the outside of the home. The fresh influx of air stirs the standing air diluting and moving odors, moisture, and contaminants through the air and into the filtration system. Some ventilators work with a home’s existing duct work and can be programmed to bring in the recommended amount of fresh air while minimizing energy usage and monitoring humidity levels.
Filters. The air filter is typically located at the point where the return duct enters the air handler.
Their basic function is to clean the air that circulates through the heating and cooling system. Filters trap and hold many types of particulates and contaminants that could affect your health and comfort. There are two types of filters – MERV and Media.
MERV Filters. These filters are rated via the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) system. This system evaluates the efficiency of an air filter based on how effective it is at catching particles of varying sizes. MERV ratings range from 1-20, with 1 being the lowest level of filtration, and 20 being the highest. MERV 16 through 20 are usually only found in hospitals, cleanrooms, and nuclear power plants. Effective home air filters are rated anywhere between MERV 5 and 13, though we are seeing some MERV 16 for home air filters. MERV Filters are disposable and replacement frequency will vary from monthly to half yearly depending upon the home and filter choice.
Media Filters. Sitting between the main return duct and the blower cabinet, media filters are deeply pleated, paper-like material, that are at least seven times more effective at removing dust and other particles including flu viruses. While usually no wider than six inches, the pleated material can cover up to 75 square feet when stretched out. This increased area of filtration accounts for the filter’s long life and ability to capture more contaminants. The media filter’s tight weave can restrict the HVAC system’s ability to blow air through the home. It’s important to seek the advice of a heating and air conditioning professional to insure the media filter chosen doesn’t put a strain on the HVAC system. Media Filters are disposable and replacement frequency will vary from 6 months to 1 year depending upon the home and filter choice.
Air Purifiers. Installed inside the HVAC air duct, an air purification system attracts and kills molds, bacteria, allergens, and viruses as the air flows through, and with some models, just past the system. They also reduce, smoke, static electricity and every day odors from pets and cooking. Independent testing on certain Air Purification Systems have shown to significantly (up to 99%) inactivate captured viruses and germs including CORONAVIRUS.
Air Purifiers are both disposable and permanent depending upon the make and model. Replacement frequency on the disposable filters are typically every several months to a year.
Humidifiers. There are three types of humidifiers – Fan-Powered, Steam, and Bypass. All three add moisture, primarily in the winter months. Maintaining proper moister levels reduces colds and flu, relieves itchy, dry and cracked skin, dry nasal passages, static electricity and protects hardwoods, musical instruments and electronics from drying out and cracking. The fan-powered and bypass models deliver water vapors into the duct. Steam models deliver high temperature water vapors into the duct through dispersion tubes.
Dehumidifier. Whole house dehumidifiers mount in the duct to your existing HVAC system to effectively transfer dry air evenly throughout your home and thus remove excess moisture. Excess moisture can be found in the home due to a variety of reasons; crawlspaces and basements, sealed up attics, reduced run times on air conditioning systems. Dehumidifiers are most commonly used in summer months when humidity levels are higher.
It’s important to note, that all these components only work while the HVAC system is in operation. In a lot of cases, home owners only run their systems on average 25% of the time. Running the fan for longer periods will increase the removal of both biologic and chemical pollutants as well as maintain the proper moisture levels.
Ultraviolet Germicidal UV Lights. UV Lights are mounted inside the HVAC system near the indoor cooling coil. As cold and warm air pass through the system, mold and bacteria can grow in the condensation left behind. Left untreated these mold spores and unpleasant orders can be spread throughout the home. UV Lights kill the bacteria and mold located on or around these coils and the drain pan preventing these spores from circulating throughout your home. UV Lights are easily maintained with the lights replaced every 1-2 years.
| Issue/Source | Symptom | Solution |
| Biological Pollutants Pets, dust mites, mold, pollen, animal dander |
Known to trigger and worsen asthma and allergy symptoms | Filter Media Filter Air Purifier |
| Chemical Pollutants Cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics, air fresheners |
Nausea and headaches. At high levels, can cause eye irritation | Ventilator |
| Carbon Dioxide Breathing, burning candles, gas, wood and other combustibles |
Drowsiness, poor circulation | Ventilator |
| Relative Humidity Too much or not enough moisture in the air |
Too Moist – Mold and dust mites, warping of wood furnishings Too Dry – Nosebleeds, dry eyes and skin, cracking of wood furnishings |
Dehumidifier Humidifier |
| Mold and Bacteria on the Cooling Coil Dampness |
Known to trigger and worsen asthma and allergy symptoms, coughing, respiratory issues | UV Lights |
Schedule an appointment online or call us today at (301) 615-2760 for a free consultation with one of our indoor air quality experts.