HEPA Air Filtration Services in Columbus, IN
The change from winter to spring in the Midwest is a wonderful time of year. Temperatures rise, the snow finally melts, and plant life bursts with green. Unfortunately for many residents, as plants come back to life, so do seasonal allergies.
Allergy sufferers have many tools available to ease the discomfort caused by pollen and other allergens, from antihistamines to tissues. One tool that many residents of Columbus, IN, overlook is an air filtration system for the home, which can remove allergens before they start to irritate you.
Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling may not be able to keep plants from releasing pollen, but they can help equip your home with HEPA filters to keep it out of your home’s air. Whether a home needs existing HEPA filters replaced or new ones installed, our team is ready to help.
HEPA Filters
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. HEPA filters are specialized physical filters that are installed in a home’s HVAC system to capture contaminants like dust, pet dander, and pollen and prevent them from flowing throughout a home in its air supply.
HEPA filters are far superior to the basic filters available from most retailers and provide high-quality air filtration to improve indoor air quality.
How HEPA Filters Work
For the great benefits they generate, HEPA filters work using a very simple concept. The filters are made of a system of randomly aligned synthetic fibers. As air passes through the filters, particulates become trapped in these fibers, removing them from the air supply.
Individuals who suffer from particulate-triggered allergies will experience considerable relief from their symptoms once the offending contaminants are removed from the air. HEPA air filtration can also improve the quality of life for people who suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, which can be exacerbated by airborne pollutants.
Replacing HEPA Filters
In most environments, HEPA air filters will last anywhere from six to twelve months before they need to be replaced. At Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling, we recommend leaning towards the six-month mark for replacement rather than waiting a full year. Replacing filters regularly is important to guarantee the efficiency of both the filters and a home’s forced-air systems.
Many factors drive the timeline for HEPA filter replacement. The density of pollutants present in the air in an area, sources of contaminants inside a home such as pets, and the amount of pollen released during a specific allergy season can all decrease the lifespan of a filter.
A quick visual inspection can reveal if it’s time for a replacement or not. Filters that appear dirty or gray, as well as filters that appear to be torn, bent, or otherwise damaged, should be replaced right away. Visible particulates like debris or pet hair are also indicators that a filter has reached the end of its life.
HEPA Filter Benefits
HEPA filters are more than just a trend for homeowners looking to improve their indoor air quality. Their construction allows them to trap incredibly fine particulates, including allergens and some pathogens, that other filters simply cannot capture.
Homeowners who install HEPA filters in their forced air systems will also notice that their homes stay cleaner longer. This is because dirt and dust that can settle visibly on surfaces like tables and electronics are trapped by the filters before they can reach the livable areas of your home.
Effects of Dirty HEPA Filters
If HEPA filters are not routinely replaced, all of the benefits they provide can be negated. Particulates are not eliminated as they pass through the filter, only trapped so they can’t travel through the air anymore. As a HEPA filter captures more particulates, those particulates begin to build up within the filter’s fibers. Fibers that have become saturated with particulates lose their ability to trap contaminants over time.
Not only do dirty filters lead to a drop in indoor air quality, but they can also affect the overall efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems. Air doesn’t pass easily through clogged filters, forcing air conditioners and furnaces to work harder. This can put a strain on these units, sometimes enough so that the strain can cause costly damage. Because these machines have to work harder, they also draw more energy than normal, raising your monthly utility bill.
Local HEPA Filter Services
HEPA filters are an affordable and simple solution to indoor air quality problems. Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling’s technicians have years of experience working with these filters and are more than capable of making sure they’re working well inside your home.
