A-1 Mechanical Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Purifier’

In the modern internet era, there seems to be an endless amount of products to solve an endless amount of issues. This makes it almost impossible as a consumer to truly get exactly what you want. When it comes to things as important as your health, though, you do not want to go with second best.

Allergies and asthma affect millions of people every year, leading them to find some relief through medicine or an air purifying device. At A-1 Mechanical, we only work with the best brands of air purifiers available to ensure customers are receiving the very best.

Why Install an Indoor Air Purifier?

A home without an indoor air purifier is less comfortable and safe to be in, especially for those who are suffering from health issues like allergies or asthma. Indoor air purifiers work by capturing and killing contaminants such as pollen, bacteria and dust mites to remove from the air supply inside of your home for cleaner and healthier air.

Unlike portable air purifiers which service just one room or small area of the home, whole house air cleaners are installed directly to your HVAC system and begin working right away, making them efficient at getting your entire home’s air clean, as fast as possible.

Which Air Purifier Is Best for Allergies and Asthma?

Once you have decided that making the upgrade to an air purifier for your home is a worthwhile investment, it is decision time. Knowing which air purifier to go with can be a tough choice when you are not familiar with the systems. We recommend working with an experienced company to help you choose one.

At A-1 Mechanical, we have spent years serving the community and providing homeowners here with the highest standard of service and care. Through those years, we have garnered the experience needed to help homeowners make qualified decisions about what is best for them and their home. If you are looking for an air purifier to help combat the symptoms of allergies and asthma, then we recommend the INFINITY® AIR PURIFIER – DGAPA.

Why Choose the INFINITY® AIR PURIFIER – DGAPA?

The INFINITY® AIR PURIFIER – DGAPA helps to purify your air by capturing and killing air contaminants that are commonly found in homes. It helps prevent things like pollen, animal dander, and general bacteria from making their way back into the home’s air supply. It is able to block up to 95% of airborne particles, and has even been determined by independent testing to block the common cold surrogate.

Why Work With A-1 Mechanical?

If you are looking for the best air purifier on the market, then you need to work with the right team to back it up. Improper installation could lead to your air purifier underperforming and not working as optimally as it should.

Have complete trust in both your system and the team behind it with A-1 Mechanical. We have been committed to serving the Lansing and Grand Rapids communities for years and are eager to continue to do so.

If you are ready to take your home’s health and safety to the next level with the best air purifier for allergies and asthma, contact A-1 Mechanical. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started. We can improve your home’s indoor air quality for a healthier and happier home.

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Isn’t it awful when one member of your family has a cold, and then the next thing you know, everyone in your house is sick? Improving the indoor air quality in your home with a whole home air purifier can make a big difference in your family’s health. But how do you choose an air purifier that’s right for you? Luckily, the heating and cooling experts at A-1 Mechanical offer two fantastic whole-house air cleaning solutions, and we’ll help you find out which one will be the most effective in your home.

Why Do I Need a Whole House Air Purifier?

The best way to fill your house with clean air is to open the windows and allow the outdoor air to enter and cycle around your house. This may be difficult to do in colder months, though, or if anyone in your family has seasonal outdoor allergies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend almost 90% of their time indoors, which exposes them to 2-5 times the pollutants than they would be exposed to outdoors.

Air cleaners, air purifiers, and air filtration systems all essentially do the same thing; they filter out the contaminants in the air. A lot of these contaminants are living in your vents and HVAC system. When air passes through your HVAC system, it will pass through your new air cleaner’s filter, which strips the air of certain contaminants before it comes out of the registers and into your living areas.

How to Choose an Air Purifier

A-1 Mechanical offers two excellent options to purify the air in your home. You might notice that one is called an “air purifier” and one is an “air filter.” You may be wondering what the difference is between the two types.

The main difference is the type of filter they offer. Air cleaners use fiberglass and activated carbon to filter the air, while air purifiers use a more intense filter with negative ions to sanitize the air. The strength of the filters determines what kind of germs can be caught in them. A filter’s strength is measured in Maximum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV rating. This rating is between 1-20. The higher the MERV rating, the better it is.

Infinity Air Purifier

The infinity air purifier is a top-of-the-line product for superior indoor air quality. It has been proven effective against human influenza, common cold germs, and streptococcus pyogenes.

These filters have a 15 MERV rating and can remove common household pollutants from the air such as smoke, odors, dust, and pet dander. They are compatible with most home’s HVAC systems and come with a one-year parts warranty.

Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter

The Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter is what some might call an “air cleaner.” Although effective in removing very small particles, air cleaners fall short at sanitizing the air. They remove allergens and dust from circulating in your HVAC system but are not great at removing bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that make us sick.

If members of your family suffer from asthma or intense allergies, this is a great choice for you. With a MERV rating of 10, this filter removes up to 65% of airborne particles.

Which Air Purifier Should I Choose?

Choosing an air purifier can seem like a difficult task. You need to ask yourself: which particles bother you and your family the most? If your family seems constantly sick, or someone in your home has COVID-19, the Infinity Air Purifier is probably the best choice for you to stop the spread of germs. This might also be a good choice if you have pets.

If your family suffers from seasonal allergies or asthma but is otherwise healthy, the Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter would be a great match for your family.

Call A-1 Mechanical to Start Breathing Easy

If you’re buying an air purifier, the best way to be sure you choose the best model for your home is to talk to one of A-1 Mechanical’s indoor air quality experts. They’ll assess your needs and help you solidify your choice of air cleaning solutions. Call us today to learn more.

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While you can’t see bacteria and viruses that lead to sickness traveling in your air, those contaminants are very likely still present. However, there are ways that you can fight back and improve your home’s indoor air quality.

We all want to protect our families in any way possible. Air purifiers can help your family stay safe and healthy from bacteria, viruses, and other indoor air pollution that might be traveling in your indoor air supply. Keep reading to learn more about how air purifiers work, as well as how they can be used to improve your family’s health and reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

You’re probably familiar with how air filters work. Air filters work by removing any harmful indoor particles from the air. Air purifiers, on the other hand, go a step beyond. They remove air pollutants and harmful particles in the air and then sanitize the air supply to add an extra layer of protection.

Because air purifiers actually sanitize the air that your family breathes, most homes find them to be far more effective than air filtration systems.

How Air Purifiers Can Improve Your Health

Many common airborne diseases are contracted through small pathogens that might be traveling through your air. That’s why common colds and flus are able to spread so quickly between family members.

An air purification system catches and removes these pathogens and volatile organic compounds and then sanitizes the air to completely eliminate any traces of dangerous pathogens and particles.

These systems are a great way to improve the overall health of those within your home, but it’s important to note that they won’t completely eliminate all particles. Dangerous particles that can cause sickness can still live on surfaces such as tables, walls, and carpeting.

How Air Purifiers Reduce Allergy and Asthma Symptoms

Common irritants and allergens such as dust, mold, and bacteria can wreak havoc on anybody who suffers from common allergies or asthma. Breathing in particles from these pollutants can make anyone feel miserable throughout the day.

However, air purifiers and air cleaners can help by eliminating these allergens and decreasing mold growth. Save yourself and your family from the constant sneezing and coughing caused by allergy symptoms with the installation of an air purification system.

Get in touch with us today for more information about how air purifiers can provide health benefits by reducing and even eliminating allergy and asthma symptoms.

Can Air Purifiers Improve Sleep?

Thanks to the elimination of irritating and potentially harmful indoor air pollutants by an air purifier, you’ll feel better and get sick less. You’ll be breathing easier, allowing you and your family to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

With better sleep from your air purifier comes benefits such as a better immune system and improved cognitive abilities. An air purification system can help your family stay safe, healthy, and happy.

Contact A-1 Mechanical for Air Purifier Services

The experts at A-1 Mechanical want to help your family stay safe, healthy, and comfortable all year long. If anybody within your house is dealing with allergies or asthma symptoms, or you’ve had more illnesses than normal running through your family, get in contact with us today to schedule an appointment for air purifier installation or other indoor air quality services. We’ll help you breathe healthier, more comfortable air than ever before.

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There are several air cleaners for whole home use available to homeowners across the Lansing and Grand Rapids areas. Air cleaners address indoor pollution issues to improve the health and comfort of a home’s occupants.

In this blog, the HVAC technicians at A-1 Mechanical share the types of air cleaners that are used to generate better indoor air quality for Michigan households. Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn more about your options and how to select the best solution to address your needs.

Types of Air Cleaners

For treatment of airborne pollutants and allergens throughout the entire home, your best choice is a whole home air purification system. Common types of air cleaners include portable models, but these units are only helpful for treating the air in a small room or area. They simply do not have the capacity nor are they meant to treat the home’s entire air supply.

A whole home air cleaner is strategically installed as part of your home’s central HVAC system. This allows these types of air cleaners to provide treatment to the home’s entire air volume as it circulates through the ducts for heating and cooling. A portable air cleaner is only exposed to a small volume of the home’s air.

The most popular types of air purifiers for whole home use include media air cleaners and air purifiers.

Media Air Cleaners

These types of air purifiers offer advanced filtration of airborne pollutants beyond what your standard furnace filter is capable of providing. Media air cleaners use filters that are thick and dense to trap more and finer particles – they can be up to five inches thick, whereas the standard furnace filter is only one inch thick. Media filter types of air purifiers are effective at trapping many kinds of contaminants, from common allergens like dust mites and pet dander to biological matter such as mold spores.

Installed on the return duct, media air cleaners filter air before it moves into the furnace or air handler. It traps contaminants, removing them from the air supply to prevent recirculation into living areas and protecting sensitive HVAC system components from exposure.

The advanced filters used in media air cleaners have MERV ratings at the higher end of what is suitable for home use, typically from MERV 6 up to MERV 15. These higher MERV filters have a longer useful life and require less frequent changes than most standard disposable furnace filters – a change is required about every nine months to one year. Some filters use activated charcoal or carbon to treat odors as well as particulate matter.

Some units are available with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that are MERV 16 to 20. However, these filters are typically used in specialized environments like hospitals and clean rooms. Their density can create problems when used with a residential HVAC system due to added resistance, which makes it difficult for the unit’s blower motor to circulate air through the filter.

Air Purifiers

There are many types of air purifiers available today. Some use UV light, while others use electrostatic means to attract the contaminants into the filters and kill them. UV light air purifiers use ultraviolet energy to treat airborne pollutants. These types of air purifiers do not remove particulate matter from the air supply, but instead render contaminants ineffective and unable to reproduce. Mold, viruses, bacteria, and germs are treated by UV light air purifiers.

Installed within the HVAC system’s ducts or within heating and cooling equipment, UV light air purifiers treat air as it passes through the home’s comfort system. The UV light neutralizes particles so they cannot cause allergy symptoms among household members or grow in areas of the home or HVAC system.

UV light air purifiers use minimal electricity to operate. Maintenance is very easy, as bulbs only require replacement every one to three years, depending on the type.

A-1 Mechanical Helps Homeowners Achieve Better Indoor Air Quality

These types of air purifiers are highly effective for treatment of air pollution inside the home and are recommended for households with allergy sufferers, those with respiratory conditions, and more. Air purifiers deliver cleaner air while protecting your home and your loved ones from harmful contaminant exposure and growth. Contact A-1 Mechanical today to find the air purification solution that offers the protection you want and need!

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Most people love springtime because of warmer weather, increased daylight, blooming flowers and animal life. But for millions of Americans, spring also triggers the start of dreadful allergy season.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to escape these pesky allergens even from the comforts of your home. Allergens are just one of many contaminants that can wreak havoc on your home’s air quality – and your family’s health.

One of the best methods of improving your home’s air quality is through a whole house air cleaner. If you’re interested in eliminating allergens, pollutants and contaminants in your home for good, give the experts at A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling a call today to discuss indoor air quality solutions.

What Is a Whole Home Air Cleaner?

Whole house air purifiers work to eliminate contaminants before they get into the ductwork and into living areas. Many homeowners who suffer from asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues can benefit from having one. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, younger people, older adults and people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease spend more time indoors and could see health improvements from having an air purifier installed.

Air purifiers are sold as either stand-up units that can service a room or two, or larger, whole house units that can be affixed right into the HVAC system, mounted between the air handler and the return ductwork. These types of purifiers can service an entire home.

Common Pollutants Found in a Home

Whole home air purifiers improve indoor air quality by removing up to 99 percent of allergens and contaminants, including:

• Pollen
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Dust Mites
• Pet dander
• Mold spores
• Tobacco smoke
• Combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide
• Lead
• Asbestos

Benefits of a Whole Home Air Cleaner

Lansing and Grand Rapids area homes with allergy and asthma sufferers greatly benefit from the installation of whole home air purifiers. These systems use superior air filters to remove airborne contaminants as air flows through your HVAC system.

According to the EPA, it’s estimated that people spend about 90% of the time indoors, where air quality can be two to five worse than that outdoors.

Some of the benefits of a whole home air cleaner include:

Longer-Lasting HVAC System

Just like a typical furnace air filter, a whole home air purifier helps your HVAC system run more efficiently – thus extending its lifespan – by filtering out contaminants that cause it to work harder. Increased stress on the system leads to breakdowns and need for repairs.

Healthier Air

Obviously, the biggest benefit of an air purifier is cleaner, healthier air. Reducing germs, allergens and dust in your home will reduce health issues, including allergies and respiratory illness.

Contact A-1 Mechanical for Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling is your trusted source for indoor air quality. A-1 Mechanical’s NATE-certified technicians pair you with the right whole home air purifier to address your specific concerns.

We have solutions for all of your indoor air quality needs, whether it be humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners or zoned systems to eliminate hot and cold spots around your home. For more information about our air purification solutions, please contact us today.

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Are you prepared for a carbon monoxide leak? If undetected, carbon monoxide can build up inside your home until it reaches deadly levels for both animals and humans. A heating and cooling contractor will be able to detect carbon monoxide leaks while performing furnace maintenance.

If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak in your home, get everyone outside (including pets) and call 911. Below, you’ll find five carbon monoxide facts we think every homeowner should know.

1.) YOU CAN’T SMELL, SEE, OR TASTE CARBON MONOXIDE

If there is a carbon monoxide leak in your home, you won’t be able to tell unless there is a reaction from your carbon monoxide detector. This is why it’s also important to schedule furnace inspections so carbon monoxide leaks can be detected as soon as possible.

2.) CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BE DEADLY

Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by breathing in carbon monoxide, which blocks the body’s absorption of oxygen. If you or someone you know has carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 and seek emergency medical treatment. You should never ignore the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Weakness
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Chest pain

Many of the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those for the flu. If there has been a recent carbon monoxide leak in your home, do not dismiss any of these symptoms. Go to the hospital to receive medical care. In these situations, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

3.) CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CAN OCCUR DURING VARIABLE LENGTHS OF TIME

Depending on the severity of the leak, carbon monoxide poisoning can happen over a short or long period of time. This is why you need to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are always in working order. A small leak may go undetected for a while, creating health risks for you and your family.

4.) CARBON MONOXIDE ISN’T JUST PRODUCED FROM FIRES

It’s a common misconception that carbon monoxide is only produced by fires. In reality, carbon monoxide leaks can come from many possible sources. For example, carbon monoxide can build up when fuel is burned by cars, trucks, stoves, or furnaces.

5.) HIRING A REPUTABLE HEATING AND COOLING COMPANY CAN HELP PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKS

To prevent the health risks associated with undetected carbon monoxide leaks, it’s important to make sure you invest in fire safety prevention measures. Many homes already have carbon monoxide detectors installed. However, it is important to make sure these devices are tested regularly to ensure they are in working order in case of an emergency. A furnace repair company will also know how to inspect your furnace for carbon monoxide leaks.

A-1 Mechanical is dedicated to helping customers keep their homes safe from furnace carbon monoxide leaks. If you are interested in any of our heating and cooling services, please feel free to call our Lansing furnace repair contractors at (517) 272-8629.

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