Whole-Home Air Quality in Peoria
Indoor air quality is easy to manage with the help of Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning! We provide a number of services that help you breathe clean, healthy air inside your home.
HVAC Maintenance
While HVAC systems don’t cause air quality issues, they can exacerbate them. We encourage homeowners to schedule heating tune-ups every fall and cooling tune-ups every spring. A core aspect of that service is cleaning the equipment, such as removing microbial growth from an evaporator coil.
It’s also important to choose a premium filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) between 8 and 13. The higher the rating, the better the home air filtration in Peoria. Be mindful that using too high of a MERV rating for your unit will actually decrease energy efficiency and increase system wear. You should also check your filter at least once a month and replace it as needed.
Air Testing
We also recommend regular air quality testing in Peoria, IL. Schedule this every several years at least, and perhaps annually if someone in your household has a serious respiratory condition. Our team can detect high levels of particulate matter and moisture in a home. We can rule out problems with fuel-burning appliances, including backdrafting. Our experts can also identify ways you may be inadvertently undermining your air quality, such as with household cleaners.
Air Purification
While your HVAC unit provides some home air filtration, it isn’t an air purifier. We often recommend an in-duct air purification system that filters all the air in a house multiple times an hour. The industry rates this within the context of square footage as air changes per hour (ACH). Most whole-home air purifiers provide at least 5 ACH. More powerful systems are available for households dealing with asthma and severe allergies.
The traditional air purifier often has three stages. A prefilter traps the largest particles and preserves the more valuable primary mechanical filter. Many brands use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for that role. HEPA filters trap over 99% of the particles that pass through the unit. The other stage is often activated carbon. This manufactured form of carbon provides odor control while absorbing potentially dangerous chemicals and gases.
Humidity Control
Peoria experiences dry winters and humid summers. Strive to maintain a relative humidity (RH) between 30% and 60%. If you struggle to reach 30% RH in winter, a humidifier will help by adding moisture to the air. Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, help in the summer by removing moisture from the air.
