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maintaining a proper level of moisture in the air, you help prevent these problems from affecting your family. WHOLE HOUSE AIR CLEANING DEVICES Our installation teams at E.G. Smith Inc. and Boyertown Oil & Propane have noticed an increase in families in our region interested in improving their indoor air quality. According to the EPA, indoor air pollution (including dust, smoke, gasses from paint and varnish, and more) is among the top five environmental health risks in the United States. In fact, the EPA notes that this type of pollution creates health issues in 8 out of ten American homes. One valuable way to address this risk: control or eliminate the sources of pollutants. Whole House Filtration Whole house air cleaners are designed to remove pollutants from indoor air via capture of pollutants, and are often installed in the ductwork of a home’s central heating,
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to clean the air in the whole house. (UVGI) cleaners use ultraviolet radiation Some of the benefits of an air cleaning from UV lamps that may destroy biological pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, allersystem include: gens and molds. Filtration of up to 98% of pollutants Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) cleaners use a UV lamp along with a substance Peak performance all year long called a catalyst that reacts with the light. They are intended to destroy gaseous pol Basic maintenance; usually just lutants by converting them into harmless an annual filter replacement products, but are not designed to remove Another consideration: a whole-house particulate pollutants. air cleaner can increase a home’s value by In addition to the reduction of airborne improving air quality, much the same way central air conditioning improves air comfort. germs, bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi, the neutralization of pollutants on HVAC equipment helps extend the life of that UV Light Indoor air cleaners like the ones described equipment and maintain its efficiency. above are designed to capture or absorb Installing a UV cleaner adds another indoor pollutants. Whole-house ultraviolet (UV) light devices clean indoor air layout of indoor air protection onto other by destroying or neutralizing indoor air filtration systems. pollutant particles. The EPA recommends using UV air cleaning devices in addition to filtration systems. Continued on page 26 JUNE 2016 AT HOME IN BERKs
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