How to best handle Filtration and Particle events

Filtration and Particle Events Notifications 

Have you been cleaning or cooking up a storm? Did you know HAVEN can activate your equipment during times when your home needs more filtration?

• What is a filtration and particle event?
  • We believe in the three pillars of IAQ - Ventilation, Filtration and Humidity Control.
  • Filtration is key to ensuring fine particles of dust are captured and not spread around the home.
• Why does it happen? 
  • PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Solid or liquid particles floating in the air are called particulate matter. Fine particulate matter is an air pollutant.
• Why is it bad for your health
  • Particulate Matter can cause premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

What you can do to mitigate Particulate Matter events

When particle events occur it's wise to consider if they are generated indoors (your home) or externally.

Indoors events

• Cooking is one of the primary ways of causing PM events. If you have a range hood it's wise to make use of it during cooking. It's a quick and easy way to divert particles out of your home
• Introduce fresh air from outdoors by opening windows and doors, keep the outdoor air quality in mind.

Outdoor air events

• If the outdoor air quality is poor it is wise to keep all doors and windows closed. Avoiding the ingress of wildfire smoke or smog is vital.
• Air Purifiers are a great way to ensure indoor air is kept at the best possible quality while ensuring that dirty outside air isn't ingressing. If you don't have access to an air purifier

What your HVAC System can do

Almost all HVAC systems have an inbuilt system to alleviate Particulate Matter - the filter.

We often think of our filters as something that just needs to be changed during scheduled maintenance, but it works for us every minute the system runs and is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of ensuring clean air is supplied into our homes.

Speak to your HVAC contractor today about improving the quality of your filter. Each HVAC system is different and updating from a fibreglass filter to a higher MERV rating may not always be possible as they add resistance and strain to HVAC systems. Your HVAC professional will help you decide what the best filter is for your system,

So you already have a great filter and your system is balanced, what else can it do for you?

• Running your HVAC system during a Particulate Matter event will ensure the air is circulated throughout your home and ductwork, constantly filtering out PM and reducing mold spores, pollen, and dust particle relating to smoke and smog.
• If you've generated PM from cooking, introducing fresh air via your HRV or ERV will further remove PM-laden air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.

What HAVEN can do for you

One of the best ways of handling PM events is by utilizing the HAVEN ecosystem of products.

We've developed a range of products and software to ensure we can both monitor & solve IAQ events.

• The HAVEN Central Air Monitor is a solid-state IoT device that continuously monitors your air, capturing tVOC and PM data and notifying you directly of any IAQ issues you need to be made aware of.
• The HAVEN Central Air Controller works in tandem with the Central Air Monitor to react to IAQ events and control your HVAC equipment in order to solve IAQ problems.
  • eg. when the Monitor senses a particulate spike, the Controller can activate your HVAC systems blower motor to help circulate and filter particulate-laden air.
    
    
    
    
  • Once the Monitor is satisfied that your air quality has re-entered EPA-approved thresholds, the Controller will cut out the blower motor.
  • We'll let you know once your PM levels have dropped back into the good realm. That's HAVEN automatically controlling the air you breathe.
    
    
    
    
• If you don't already have HAVEN products installed, peak to your HVAC contractor today about adopting HAVEN products to control your air.
  • They can reach out to us at prosupport@haveniaq.com for more information. 
  • We'll help them find the best solution to resolving any IAQ concerns you may have.
    
     

     

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    If you have any questions about our HAVEN IAQ products, our dedicated Support Team can be contacted directly via 1-888-964-2836 or support@haveniaq.com