Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions, with categories in alphabetical order for easier navigation:

Air Purifiers

Q: What is a HEPA air purifier? A: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Air, and the standard for true HEPA filtration is that it will remove 99.97% of particles (dust, dust mites, pollen, smoke, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, etc) that are 0.3 microns or larger. For reference, a human hair is 70 microns in diameter (thick).

Q: How do I know I need an air purifier?  A: If you see dust accumulating on furniture, or you have indoor pets, you need one. Even if you don't currently cough, sneeze, seem to 'keep a cold', have headaches, etc, eventually you will inhale enough of the bacteria / mite / virus loaded dust particles to cause issues. Sometimes one the first things you notice after getting a good HEPA air purifier working in your home is that you sleep better, wake up feeling more refreshed, etc.

Air Quality

Q:  What is air quality?  A:  Air quality refers to the quality of the surrounding air with respect to the amount of pollution present or not present--i.e. particles, smog, chemicals, smoke, etc. Indoor air quality is often much lower than outdoor air quality (except for cities with lots of industry and pollution, smog, etc)--why? Because indoor air is more concentrated, air is not completely changed out as much, and you have all the household pollutants circulating in the air--dust, dust mites, bacteria, mold spores, smoke, chemicals (from cleaning products, home projects).

Air Quality Monitors

Q: What is an air quality monitor? A: An air quality monitor is an electronic device that actually recognizes the presence of different pollutants floating in the air and alerts you.

Air Quality Testing

Q: What is air quality testing and who needs it?  A: Air quality testing is done by placing test materials in the area where air pollution is suspected and when these materials react, then the presence of that pollutant is confirmed. Who needs it?  Anyone who wants to be sure of what is in the air to make sure you get the right air purifier to remove the pollutants, and anyone who has elderly or those with weak immune systems in a care environment and need to make sure there are no new pollutants, on a regular basis--nursing homes, hospitals, etc.

Dehumidifiers

Q: What is a dehumidifier and who needs it?  A: A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air in a closed environment much like an air conditioner--moist air enters the dehumidifier and then crosses some coils filled with refrigerant, which causes the moisture in the air to condense on coils within the machine. The moisture then collects in a pan or bucket for which is then emptied. Anyone has moisture issues in a home or other space, which contributes to the growth of mold and bacteria, should get a dehumidifier, as removing the moisture is a huge help in controlling the growth of mold and bacteria and finally ridding the area of these pollutants. 

Filters

Q: How does a HEPA filter work?  A: A HEPA filter works usually by using progressively more dense, smaller fibers that are electrostatically charged and bind the particles as the air goes through it--some filters have a membrane on one or both sides with a specific pore size as well for added particle capture.

Other

Q: Should I buy a whole house unit or several floor units?  A: Honestly, a combination of the two is most effective and recommended for those with more severe reactions to air pollution--MCS, severe allergies, asthma, etc--or for those that have old duct work, for example, and want to make sure the air quality is as high as possible.