(1) Better air filtration solutions are very important to proactive IAQ strategies. For a higher level of indoor air quality, homeowners may want to consider other filtration strategies or equipment than the standard “1” filters on the market today. The key is the MERV Rating of filters and the variance of increased filtration that better products or system solutions provide. This is especially important for families with chronic respiratory ailments or homeowners who simply want to minimize the amount of dust in their homes. A MERV Rating of 1-5 is not a high quality rating – look for filtration solutions or filtering products with a minimum 10 Rating or, preferably, 12+ Rating for best results.

(2) The particles you see in a beam of  afternoon sunlight streaming through the window only represent about 1% of the millions of airborne contaminants in your indoor air. Most standard fiberglass-mesh furnace filters only trap about 15% of these particles, leaving the other 85% to pollute your air, your furnishings, and your lungs.

(3) Mechanical filter add-ons or electronic air cleaners can greatly increase the ability to remove particulates from the home environment for enhanced results.

(4) Mechanical air cleaners have heavy-duty media filters that can trap up to 28 times as many particles (including animal dander and plant spores) as standard fiberglass filters.

(5) Electronic air cleaners can capture up to 95% of all airborne particles - smoke, grease, bacteria and even many viruses. An electronic model works as a sort of magnet for undesirable pollutants. An aluminum mesh filter catches most of the large particles; the smaller particles pass through an ionizing section where they receive an electrical charge and are attracted like magnets to grounded metal plates. Electronic air cleaners only use about as much electricity as a 30-watt light bulb.

(6) Air cleaners can improve your health, keep your entire home cleaner, protect your valuable investments and save you the time and aggravation of constant dusting.

(7) Controlled humidity or humidifiers can help to increase the amount of moisture in your home during the winter, when furnaces dry out the indoor air to the point that it can cause some undesirable health consequences – e.g., dry eyes and dry nostrils which can even lead to frequent sinus or nosebleed problems.