October is Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, and investing in a whole home air cleaner, particularly one that is asthma & allergy friendly® CERTIFIED, is a proactive step to improve IAQ, reduce allergens, and create a healthier home environment for everyone
October marks Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Awareness Month, highlighting the critical importance of the air we breathe in our homes. With increasing awareness of how indoor air affects our health, particularly for those with asthma and allergies, ensuring high-quality indoor air has never been more crucial. If you have a HVAC system in your home, one of the most effective ways to improve IAQ is to install a whole home air cleaner, a system designed to purify the air throughout your house. In this article, we’ll explore why IAQ matters for health, how to choose the right whole home air cleaner, the importance of third-party certification, and why asthma & allergy friendly® CERTIFIED whole home air cleaners are a great choice for healthier living.
Why Indoor Air Quality is Important for Health
We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, and indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Poor IAQ can be caused by a variety of factors, including dust mite allergen, pet dander, mold, pollen, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household cleaners, paint, flooring, insulation and furniture. For those with asthma or allergies, these pollutants can trigger symptoms, but poor indoor air can impact everyone’s health, contributing to headaches, fatigue, respiratory problems, and even long-term chronic conditions.
Good indoor air quality is especially important for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies, as their airways are more sensitive to airborne pollutants. Reducing the amount of allergens and irritants in the air may significantly improve their quality of life, reducing symptoms and minimizing exacerbations of asthma. But creating a healthier indoor environment benefits everyone in the household, not just those with existing conditions.
The Role of Whole Home Air Cleaners in Improving IAQ
Whole home air cleaners, also known as whole-house or in-duct air cleaners, are air purification systems that are integrated into the ductwork of homes with central forced air systems. Unlike portable air purifiers that are designed for individual rooms, whole home air cleaners can purify the air in every room of your house. They filter out allergens and other particulates as the air circulates through your HVAC system.
The key advantage of whole home air cleaners is that they can address the air quality throughout the entire home, ensuring that all spaces benefit from cleaner air. This is particularly important for homes with central forced air systems, which can inadvertently spread allergens like pollen, dust mite allergen, and pet dander from one room to another. By installing a validated whole home air cleaner, you ensure that the air circulating throughout your home is being effectively filtered, significantly reducing the presence of airborne allergens and other irritants.
Choosing the Right Whole Home Air Cleaner
When selecting a whole home air cleaner, there are several factors to consider to ensure you’re making a choice that will truly improve your home’s IAQ:
- Filtration Efficiency: The efficiency of the filtration system is crucial. Efficiency is based on the filter’s ability to filter out contaminants and prevent pollutants and small particulate matter from circulating indoors.
- Allergen Removal: A high-quality air cleaner should effectively reduce allergens from the air. Look for systems that are specifically designed to capture common asthma and allergy triggers such as dust mite allergens, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. The best systems not only capture these particles but also ensure they are not simply redistributed onto surfaces around the room.
- Ozone Safety: Some air cleaners generate ozone as a by-product of their filtration process. Ozone can be harmful, particularly to individuals with respiratory issues, so it’s essential to choose an air cleaner that keeps ozone levels well within safe limits.
- Ease of Maintenance: Air cleaners require regular maintenance to continue functioning effectively. For example, electrostatic systems may not need frequent filter replacements, but the collecting plates must be cleaned to maintain their efficiency. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining, cleaning and replacing to ensure your system continues to perform well over time.
The Importance of Third-Party Certification
While many whole home air cleaners claim to improve IAQ, it’s essential to verify these claims through independent testing. This is where third-party certification becomes invaluable. When a product undergoes third-party certification, it is tested by an independent organization to ensure that it meets specific standards. A trusted certification provides peace of mind, ensuring that the product has undergone rigorous testing and meets the highest standards for improving IAQ.
Why asthma & allergy friendly® CERTIFIED Whole Home Air Cleaners are a Great Choice
The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program offers third-party certification that tests products for their ability to reduce allergens and irritants in the indoor environment. Whole home air cleaners that earn this certification must meet strict criteria, including:
- Reduction of Triggers: CERTIFIED air cleaners must demonstrate their ability to reduce allergens in the air, particularly those that trigger asthma and allergies, such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, and particulate matter.
- No Redistribution: The air cleaner must effectively remove allergens from the air without simply redistributing them onto surfaces around the room. This ensures that the allergens are truly being reduced from the environment.
- Ozone Emission Limits: CERTIFIED air cleaners must also meet stringent limits for ozone emissions, ensuring that the device does not release harmful levels of ozone while operating.
- Performance Maintenance: To ensure long-term efficiency, CERTIFIED air cleaners must perform well even after routine maintenance, such as cleaning or filter replacement.
Whole home air cleaners that are CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® are scientifically proven to reduce your exposure to airborne allergens and irritants. By choosing a CERTIFIED product, you can be confident that you are making a choice that supports a healthier indoor environment.
Conclusion
Indoor air quality plays a vital role in protecting our health, especially for those with asthma or allergies. Whole home air cleaners offer a comprehensive solution by improving the air quality in every room of your house. When choosing a whole home air cleaner, it’s essential to prioritize third-party certification to ensure that the system you install is independently validated.
Whole home air cleaners that are CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® provide the assurance of rigorous testing and superior performance. By opting for a CERTIFIED air cleaner, you’re taking a proactive step toward creating a healthier indoor environment for everyone in your home.
This October, as we celebrate Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, consider the significant benefits of investing in a CERTIFIED whole home air cleaner, knowing you’ve made a choice for better indoor air for your household.