Indoor Air Quality Services in Granbury, TX

MERV Filter/MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value Measures a filter’s ability to “catch” particles as they pass through the filter at any given airspeed. “Medium efficiency filters with a MERV of 5 to 13 are reasonably efficient at removing small to large airborne particles. Filters with a MERV between 7 and 13 are likely to be nearly as effective as true HEPA filters at controlling most airborne indoor particles.” ~ Environmental Protection Agency

Dust, pollen, dirt, pet dander, insulation, and carpet fibers are all airborne particles. Particles are often the largest pollutants but are not visible to the naked eye. Dust and pollen are the two major particles that cause hay fever. Dust is essentially tiny pieces of everything that exists in, or moves through your home. Pollen consists of airborne particles released from trees and other plant life.

Common house dust is far nastier than you think. Depending on the makeup of your household, it can contain a microscopic concoction of pet dander, pollen, mold spores, fungus, bacteria, bits of rotted plants, and dead insects. But that’s not everything! It can also contain millions of dust mites whose waste is a leading trigger of asthma, eczema, and allergic inflammations.

Biological contaminants are mold spores, dust mites, viruses, fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and algae. Also known as bioaerosols, they can be living or non-living organisms. Because they are so small, these contaminants can get past the body’s natural protective filters in the nose and upper respiratory tract. In doing so, they can reach the lungs and are highly allergenic. They can be found in any place dust is present, especially in items like bedding, upholstered furniture, and draperies.

Many sources can produce gasses: gas ovens, space heaters, water heaters, furnaces, carpets, fireplaces, garages, cleaning products, furniture, paint, pesticides, and cooking. Gasses can include carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbon monoxide can result from back drafting heating appliances, poorly maintained fossil fuel heating systems, faulty chimneys, gas cooking appliances, cigarette smoking and idling cars in an attached garage. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) include formaldehyde originating from building products, carpet backings, insulation, home furnishings, paint, cleaning chemicals, air fresheners and much more.