2023 was one of the worst wildfire seasons we’ve ever experienced in Canada. Wildfire smoke and ash are incredibly harmful to breathe. And unfortunately, wildfires are an issue that isn’t going away any time soon. That’s why you need an air filtration system in your home. These are whole house solutions that are designed to solve the problem of poor air quality due to not only wildfire smoke, but pollution in general.
The AQHI
The Air Quality Health Index is a scale designed to help people understand how the quality of the air affects their health. This tool was developed by health and environmental professionals to communicate the health risks posed by air pollution and measures 3 specific pollutants: ground-level ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).
Wildfire smoke falls into the PM2.5 category. The 2.5 reflects the fact that particulate matter is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. If you’re wondering how small that is, a single human hair is 70 micrometers in diameter.
Why Is Fine Particulate Matter So Harmful?
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), is a mixture of tiny airborne particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. They’re small enough to enter the human bloodstream. These particles represent a main pollutant emitted from wildfire smoke, comprising approximately 90% of total particle mass.
You may be thinking you can get by with a portable air filter when wildfire smoke is present. However, PM2.5 is present even when wildfires aren’t burning. They are also emitted directly by vehicles, industrial facilities, or formed indirectly as a result of chemical reactions among other pollutants.
People are advised to stay inside when the AQHI is poor. However, PM2.5 can still penetrate your home even when all the doors and windows of your home are closed. Depending on where you live, you’ve possibly had a light layer of ash accumulate in your home or have had to wear a respirator or an N95 mask inside.
The Limitations of Portable Air Purifiers
Portable air filters can only filter the air of the room they’re placed in. Depending on how much square footage it can handle, you might need multiple filters for one room in addition to an air filter in each room of your home. Not only is that an expensive upfront purchase, but the cost of replacing the air filters will add up quickly as well.
Whole House Solutions
Whole house air purification systems are installed alongside your existing HVAC system. They purify the air that moves through your entire home. Air filters work to filter out contaminants, dirt, dust, and other debris that could lower your indoor air quality. These filters can either be reusable, in which case they need to be cleaned every month or so, or disposable, meaning they should be replaced when they become too clogged up.
An air purifier uses UV light or ionization to kill viruses and bacterial cells that can negatively impact your health. Whether you want an air filtration or air purification system, we’ll help you choose a system and provide all the services you need to help ensure the air in your home is the best it can be.
Contact Peatson’s Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. for reliable air filtration system installation in Oakville, ON.