The problems associated with maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) have become more apparent and more serious in recent years. It is now well established that in homes or structures where groups of people congregate, and where the air is continually re-circulated, indoor air pollution steadily increases. As building construction techniques have improved creating tighter interior spaces, the role of the heating and ventilation system has become increasingly important. No longer is it enough to simply provide temperature and humidity controlled air. High quality, healthful air is now the goal. Ultravation® products are designed to work with central heating and air conditioning to restore indoor air quality to the maximum possible level.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming an ever greater concern and problem. If you are experiencing unwanted odors, excessive equipment corrosion, high humidity & or unusual side effects, you probably do not know that the problem may be low IAQ.

There are several things that you should know about your IAQ:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the gas people and animals exhale - Although a benign gas, excess amounts are believed to lower comfort and cause or enhance headaches.
2. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless deadly gas - In the home it is generated by recirculation of gas furnace combustion products, improperly vented fireplaces and invented heaters operating in unventilated spaces and other gas appliances. It is also generated in small quantities by smoking.
3. Ozone (O3) is oxygen combined in a way that can make it more active & in small amounts it cleans and deodorizes the air. In larger amounts it is an oxidant and irritant. It is generally not harmful to people.
4. It is important to control humidity levels in the home - If the humidity is too high the home smells like a cellar and suffers with moisture on windows and in walls. If the humidity is too low, the occupants suffer with dry nasal passages, dry throats, more colds, and a lack of comfort.

AMV Air Conditioning Inc highly recommends for all of its installations an Ultraviolet Light Air purifier be installed in the system to kill the microscopic organisms that will bypass the air filter installed in your return air grille.

Adding UV to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system can reduce allergy symptoms

60,000,000 people in the United States are affected by allergies, and mold is one of the 5 most common allergens. The dark, cool and moist surfaces that typically exist in HVAC systems are very favorable places for mold growth. The spores released from the growth are distributed throughout the structure. Applying UV light in these vulnerable areas can make a huge difference in the spore counts in the air. In regions where the air is typically drier and mold growth is less of a problem, UV applied in the recirculating airstream passing through an HVAC system can make a significant reduction in the mold spore counts in indoor air. By reducing the density of mold spores, the indoor air quality is enhanced and allergy symptoms reduced.


UV Kills Germs!

Fresh outside air is healthy to breathe in part because natural UV from the sun controls the level of airborne microorganisms. Ultravation® brings UV indoors to help control microorganisms in indoor air. With a UV system installed in your HVAC system, the numbers of airborne bacteria and viruses that cause colds and other illnesses will be reduced as air is circulated through the system. With most people spending as much as 90% of their time indoors, optimizing indoor air quality becomes increasingly important. Today's advanced building techniques are another factor to consider when evaluating indoor air quality. To increase heating and cooling efficiency, and to add to indoor comfort, homes and commercial buildings are more airtight than ever. While efficiency and comfort goals may be achieved, an unintended effect is that with less outdoor air "leaking" into the indoor space, airborne organisms and other contaminants can accumulate. The HVAC system now has an increased role in maintaining indoor air quality -- adding UV disinfection along with filtration and other enhancements helps it fulfill that role.


UV Controls Mold!

That smell when the air conditioner turns on -- especially after it has been off for a while. What is it? Chances are it's MOLD, and those mold spores spread around, landing everywhere in the house. Or if mold is growing in a damp place elsewhere in the house, the air conditioner helps distribute the spores as the air is recirculated. UV can play an important -- if not vital -- role in controlling home damaging mold. As insurance companies raise rates and even exclude mold damage from their coverage, UV can be a big help -- consult your HVAC contractor.


How a UV system pays for itself: It saves energy!

A UV system uses about the same amount of electricity as a standard light bulb. Yet it can help your HVAC system increase its efficiency, so you may use less power overall. When mold becomes established on cooling elements, it begins to insulate it from the passing air. This makes the heat transfer from the air to the elements more difficult. When this happens the HVAC system begins to run a little longer and then cycles more often to accomplish the same temperature setting. This obviously uses more energy and in addition, increases wear and tear on the system. Of course we recommend quality filtration to keep the elements as well as the UV lamps free of dust, then the UV will keep the mold away, and help to optimize efficiency.

HIGH EFFICIENCY AIR FILTERS

Ultravation®
MERV 11 Air Filtration
Featuring UltraStrand™ Shaped Filter Fiber Technology

Permanent electrostatic charging for improved capture
Ultravation® pleated MERV 11 (ASHRAE 52.2 Test Standard) air filters utilize state-of-the-art shaped fibers formed into a gradient structure, with permanent electrostatic charging. This provides an unprecedented high level of particulate capture efficiency. Performing well beyond regular pleated filters, they achieve an initial dust spot efficiency of 51% and an average dust spot efficiency of 56%. Yet, they maintain the lowest pressure drop in the industry—making Ultravation® filters highly economic.

All throw-away air filters used in HVAC systems and air handlers are known as mechanical air filters. On any mechanical air filter, dust and other contaminants are removed from the air by capturing them on the filter medium. Various densities of filter material are available, depending on your needs.

The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the air filter industry have agreed on a standardized rating system, known as a MERV rating for each type of air filter. This system is used to compare and classify mechanical air filters and the overall effectiveness of any type of filter on airborne particulates, especially those that are less than 3 microns in size.

MERV 11 filtration, featuring Progressive Media Filtration, is standard in all Ultravation® filter models.