It’s cold season—and the flu will be here next.
We all know to get our flu shots, wash our hands frequently and wipe off common surfaces to help avoid the dreaded bugs. But did you know your HVAC system can help you fight the flu?
FILTRATION
Air filters are a front-line defense for your home. They come in a variety of styles and levels, so be sure to always use a good quality pleated version. Look for one with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 9 or higher—this will trap at least 85% of air particles that cause irritations like allergies and asthma, especially if it’s changed often.
Our Air Solutions Team recommends that you step up your level of filtration even more with three additional barrier levels to help keep smaller particles and germs out:
- Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC): This positively charges air particles as they move through the unit and then captures them with negatively charged collector plates. EACs are very effective and can be cleaned instead of replaced.
- HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter: This filter has the highest level of particle capture of any filter system. HEPA filters trap smaller viruses and pathogens and prevent them from entering your home.
- Air scrubber: This uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology to actually kill viruses before they enter your home. The ultraviolet bulbs are long lasting—they just need to be changed when they grow dim to be most effective.
HUMIDITY
An appropriate level of humidity in your home’s air can actually help minimize the flu virus’ ability to transfer from host to host. The moisture forms droplets that the virus adheres to as it is coughed into the air. The droplets then sink, minimizing chances that the germs will reach and infect others. Boiling water, adding indoor plants or taking long showers are all simple ways to increase humidity in your home, but the most effective way is to maintain a relative humidity level between 40-50%.
DUCT CLEANING & SEALING
The air that is circulating your home is vented through your duct system, so dirty ducts or leaks in that system can lead to you ingesting contaminated air. Air drawn into your home as a result of leaks is most often pulled from crawl spaces, attics and walls, carrying dust, fiberglass shards, rodent urine, molds and germs—all of which can wreak havoc on your health and immune system.
Our Air Solutions Team can clean and seal your ducts with the patented Aeroseal® process, creating a barrier to help keep that unhealthy air out—and that can help you breathe easy.
Filtration, humidity and cleaning and sealing ducts are all big steps towards bettering the quality of the air in your home. And clean air means a healthier you. To learn more about using your HVAC system to fight off viruses this cold and flu season, contact Barron’s Air Solutions Team and ask about our Ultimate Indoor Air Quality Upgrade: https://www.barronheating.com/airsolutions/.