According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati air ranks among the highest in the country for air pollution, a dubious distinction that can affect you and your family members. Its average level of particulate matter in the air is higher than the U.S. average. Small particulates are among the most dangerous to breathe because they lodge deeply into the lungs.

If someone in your home suffers from any kind of respiratory distress, consider a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system that removes particles as small as 0.3 microns. The filters use three different layers of filtration to trap airborne particulates instead of a single layer made from a very fine material. By the time the air passes through the three layers of the HEPA filter, nearly all the Cincinnati air particulates have been removed.

Two types of HEPA filtration systems exist that include whole-house filtration units or portable systems. Portable systems can filter the air in a room or smaller space, while a whole-house system can tackle all the air indoors. 

Simply adding a HEPA filter to your forced air HVAC system won't work. The filters are too thick, and the airflow going through the blower will be slowed significantly. The blower requires a certain amount of airflow, and using a HEPA filter could cause serious equipment damage. Central HEPA filtration systems pull the air entering the filter at a higher velocity, so as it goes through the blower, it will be the right amount your system needs. 

Other considerations regarding HEPA filters include:

• HEPA filtration does remove almost all the airborne particulates, but they don't remove hazardous gases like radon, carbon monoxide or volatile organic compounds. 
• The filters need to be replaced once or twice a year and are more expensive than standard HVAC filters. 

If the Cincinnati air quality is an issue in your household, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. We've provided HVAC services for the greater Cincinnati area for more than 50 years. 

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