Can My HVAC System Kill Viruses?
You already know how your furnace and air conditioner keep you comfortable throughout the year. But what about the role these two systems play in improving your indoor air quality (IAQ)?
Well-maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems capture airborne particles before they circulate into your living spaces. Your central air conditioner (AC) also zaps excess moisture from the air, improving your indoor humidity levels.
These days especially, maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment is a top priority for all us in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. You can count on Midwest Air Pros to help find a pro closest to your home or business to evaluate your indoor air quality and offer suggestions on how to improve it.
Your HVAC and Viruses
Your HVAC cannot prevent you from getting infected from a virus, but it can go a long way toward improving the indoor air quality in your Springfield or Omaha home. A well-maintained HVAC system with exceptional air filtration will help keep your indoor environment free of pollen, mold, fungi, bacteria, and other health threats, according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
Here’s what you need to know:
Maintenance Matters
Practicing personal hygiene, such as washing your hands, is a great tool to ward off viruses. You can apply the same strategy to your HVAC system with similar results. Find a pro at Midwest Air Pros and schedule annual tune-ups to allow for a thorough cleaning and inspection. Doing so can remove any viral contamination and help ensure your system operates at peak performance throughout the year.
The heating and cooling system in your Kansas City home not only maintains targeted temperatures but also reduces indoor humidity. Ideally, your indoor humidity should stay between 30 and 50 percent. Anything higher becomes a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. This can trigger asthma and other respiratory issues, along with causing damage to your furniture and other parts of your home.
The Right Air Filter
Your filter’s MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) indicates your filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. A MERV 13 filter works fine for most homes, but only if your system can accommodate such a filter.
Higher levels of filtration tend to restrict the airflow in your system, which taxes your furnace and air conditioner and forces them to work harder. Follow your manufacturer recommendations in using the highest-rated MERV filter that your system can handle.
A HEPA, or High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, is a mechanical filter that is capable of removing 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, and other airborne particles. These types of filters, typically used in health care and industrial settings, are becoming more popular in residential applications. Check with a pro at Midwest Air Pros to learn if a HEPA filter is right for your home in Des Moines or Wichita.
UV Lights and Viruses
Adding an ultraviolet to your HVAC system can help eradicate viruses and other pathogens.
A UV lighting system destroys microorganisms by altering their DNA. UV lighting only kills microbes—it does not remove inorganic particles such as dust or pet dander. There are two types of HVAC UV lights: Coil sterilization and air sterilization. Both systems are mounted inside the ductwork of your home and operate best when integrated with an effective air filter.
UV lighting will not keep your home clear or mold or viruses, but it does work effectively in a limited capacity. Ideally, your best defense against a virus is to keep your home clean and to practice good hygiene. Practice social distancing around others whenever possible, and always take extra measures to properly maintain your HVAC equipment.
Call Your Indoor Air Experts Today!
At Midwest Air Pros, you can find an expert closest to your home in Springfield, MO, Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, Wichita, KS, Omaha, NE, and other parts of the Midwest to learn more about ways to protect your indoor air quality. Our companies can help you with all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs. We’re the experts when it comes to making things comfortable.