24 Feb 2008 12:33:29 | Ed Bishop
Air purifier filters are not always the answer to air quality
problems.
Solving the problem is a much better approach than masking the
symptom.
The following are the basic approaches to improve indoor air
quality;
1) Eliminate or control the pollutant source. 2) Dilution of the
contaminants through ventilation. 3) Removal or reduction of the
contaminants through filtration or purification with the use of
air purifier filters or air purifiers. Proper ventilation in a
building is a must!
Before the energy crunch in the 1970's, fresh air in buildings
was not really an issue. When energy costs started to rise, we
started making our buildings more energy efficient with better
insulation and sealing techniques that made the building
tighter, reducing the amount of fresh air into the buildings and
increasing indoor pollution.
After indoor air quality issues came to the surface, we learned
how to reduce energy costs while not compromising the health of
the occupants, through the practice of building science.
Great strides have been made in this area, leading to more
comfortable, healthier, safer homes.
The goal of good ventilation is to bring in the right amount of
fresh air, not too much or not too little.
This is accomplished by using mechanical ventilation (exhaust
fans, energy recovery units, etc.) that are sized to the volume
of the house and/or according to lifestyle.
Mechanical ventilation not only dilutes contaminants but also
removes excess moisture that can become a mold problem if not
properly addressed.
Moisture can show up as high humidity (under-ventilated
bathrooms, indoor pools or hot tubs and very tight homes) or
water that enters a building either from the outside (rainwater)
or from undetected plumbing leaks. Addressing these problems
using the right approach, elimination or control of the source
(in this case repair the leak from the outside or finding and
repairing the plumbing leak) makes more sense than trying to rid
the mold with air purifier filters or air purifiers.
Pollutants such as formaldahyde and benzene can be produced from
certain furniture, carpets, plywood and drapes.
Other sources of benzene are gas cans, gas powered lawn mowers
that are stored in garages that are attached to the house.
If elimination of these sources is not an option an air
purifaction device would be the obvious choice.
Toilets, air conditioning coils, heating/cooling ducts and
humans are producers of bacteria. The right plan in these cases
would be an air purifier device.
Carbon Monoxide is caused by incomplete combustion of appliances
that depend on combustion to operate.
ELIMINATION IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER WHEN IT COMES TO CARBON
MONOXIDE!
FIND THE PROBLEM-FIX THE PROBLEM!
Leave this to a company that is well-versed in carbon monoxide.
Pet and human dander are controlled through proper humidity
control (mechanical ventilation) and air purifier filters.
By using the combination of source control (elimination),
ventilation (dilution) and good air purifier filters and/or
purification system ,your environment will be much healthier.
About Author :
A pioneer in residential contracting, Ed is a thirty-year
industry veteran trained in the “House Is A System” approach to
HVAC design. He was formerly a building analyst instructor,
providing certification training for New York's Home Performance
with ENERGY STAR® program. 
