Air systems to aide in reducing air pollution (Birmingham: appliances, how much)

[Higherho]

Hello all,

Considering the air pollution in the area, I was curious what type of systems you have with HEPA & Carbon filters to help your air quality in your home? Do you simply just have a filter in your Heat Pump systems? Or do you have a combination of systems to help filter your indoor air? I am mainly curious what the community (who still live in this area) does. Higher MERV air filters for heat pumps do well (just need to measure your airflow before and after putting them in). I have a MERV 12 filter atm.


What do you do and how is the quality of air in your home? Let’s have a civil conversation about this problem.

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com...rv-fpr-and-mpr

[svband76]

I have window cracked open during the entire year if the temps are 25 degrees or higher. Air filters are nice in theory but I think unnecessary if you keep you home otherwise clean. Basement dehumidifiers though are a necessity in the Burgh.

[Moby Hick]

A couple of weeks ago on a nice day, we aired out the house. Now, I'm not opening a window again until the trees stop fornicating.

[Higherho]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

I have window cracked open during the entire year if the temps are 25 degrees or higher. Air filters are nice in theory but I think unnecessary if you keep you home otherwise clean. Basement dehumidifiers though are a necessity in the Burgh.

Well, the science states otherwise. I mean, if your outside air is bad and we go into code orange days, then your home will be bad unless you have some filters in place. Dehumidifiers are a need for sure as well along with water filters (most of our area has hard water).

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

A couple of weeks ago on a nice day, we aired out the house. Now, I'm not opening a window again until the trees stop fornicating.

On nice days, I agree. Wndows open, no air pollution (ranked in a good category), and having wind blow through is quite nice. Of course, I check every day before opening.

https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/pennsylvania/pittsburgh

[Charley Barker]

Here is the best site ever for tracking real-time air quality across the US and beyond: https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/....3214/-80.0378

In addition to outdoor monitors, it also shows readings from indoor monitors people have plugged into the database. It's very revealing. By the way, one of the biggest sources of indoor pollutants are gas appliances if you have breathing difficulty.

[Higherho]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

Here is the best site ever for tracking real-time air quality across the US and beyond: https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/....3214/-80.0378

In addition to outdoor monitors, it also shows readings from indoor monitors people have plugged into the database. It's very revealing. By the way, one of the biggest sources of indoor pollutants are gas appliances if you have breathing difficulty.

Thank you for this information! Great link! Thankfully most of my items are electric. Minus the grill (I have a gas one but I’ve been using wood fires more). It’s crazy to think how much effort we have to put into our homes for clean air But considering large corporations and government are taking forever, I feel at least I am doing something.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Charley Barker

Here is the best site ever for tracking real-time air quality across the US and beyond: https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/....3214/-80.0378

In addition to outdoor monitors, it also shows readings from indoor monitors people have plugged into the database. It's very revealing. By the way, one of the biggest sources of indoor pollutants are gas appliances if you have breathing difficulty.

Thanks. So air quality on the Birmingham Bridge is horrible today. Bad news for those walking the bridge I guess. But seems logical though.