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MERV 16 Air Filters and Airborne Viruses: Keep Your Home Safe

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The air we breathe is important to overall health. That’s more apparent now than ever before, and at Aprilaire we’re focused on getting you and your family the information you need to stay healthy during this time.

Healthy Air In The Home With MERV 16 Filters

The air inside your home can be 5x more polluted than the air outside. This is important to consider if you’re in a part of the United States using stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

There are a number of ways to improve your indoor air quality, including: better air circulation, regular dusting and cleaning, and properly storing sources of VOCs.

The next area to consider is air filtration. While there are a variety of options for purifying your air, today we’ll look at the effectiveness of MERV 16 filters, which can capture both virus-sized particles and airborne allergy and asthma triggers.

What Exactly is MERV and how does the rating system work?

MERV, otherwise known as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a measurement scale that rates the effectiveness of filters at trapping airborne particles. The scale ranges from 1-16, with 16 being the most effective.

Here’s an in-depth description of the process used to determine MERV, from the National Air Filtration Association:

“An air filter’s performance is determined by measuring the particle counts upstream and downstream of the air-cleaning device being tested.

A laboratory aerosol generator, which operates much like a paint sprayer, is used to create a challenge aerosol of known particle size in the air stream. This will generate particles covering the 12 required particle size ranges for the test. The challenge aerosol is injected into the test duct and particle counts are taken for each of the size data points.

The filter’s performance, on each of the twelve particle sizes, during the six test cycles (a total of 72 value or calculated value) is determined. For each value or calculated value, the filtration efficiency is stated as a ratio of the downstream-to-upstream particle count. The lowest values over the six test cycles are then used to determine the Composite Minimum Efficiency Curve. Using the lowest measured efficiency avoids the misinterpretation of averaging and provides a “worst case” experience over the entire test.”

Air Filters and Viruses

The size of contaminants and particles are usually described in microns, a metric unit of measure where one micron is one-millionth of a meter:

  • 1 micron = 10-6 m = 1 μm

The particular strain of coronavirus that’s causing COVID-19 (known as SARS-CoV-2) measures between .05 and .2 μm in diameter. (One study found it to be between .07 and .09 μm.)

The diagram below demonstrates that MERV 16 filters trap up to 96% of virus-sized particles*, to help prevent the proliferation of airborne viruses in the home.

1Solid lines represent MERV test data; dashed lines represent calculations for ultra-fine particles

To find out more about these filters and to see how they can be used in your home, check out Aprilaire’s Healthy Home Tips and reach out to speak with an Healthy Air Pro.

*Contaminants removed based on air passing through the filtering system.

Healthy Clean Air |

FAQs: Air Purifiers and Air Filters

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Listed below are the FAQs for our Air Filters and Air Purifiers. If you need assistance or have additional questions, please reach out to our talented and knowledgeable technical support team.

Are there any other filters that will clean the air better than the Model 201 or Model 401 (MERV 10) in my Space Gard 2200 or 2400? Or are there any filters better than the Model 210/213/410/413 air filters?

The 210, 213, 410, and 413 filters are higher MERV than the 201 or 401 6” filters.

The 213 and 413 filters will clean the air better than the 201 and 401 filters.

The 216 and 416 filters are the highest MERV filters we have at MERV 16.

Where do I buy the filters (or the units) for my Air Purifier?

You can buy them from your installer and have them installed for you. You can also purchase them at Aprilaire.com, Amazon, Supplyhouse, Sylvane.com, and more. We do not sell them at big box stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s.

How do I install the upgrade kit? Can I do it myself?

The upgrade kit is quick and easy to install. You can also watch the video to see how to do it.

What is MERV and how do I know which filter I should use? How often should I change my filters?

MERV is a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.

The filter you choose is dependent on what you want to accomplish.

MERV 10, 11, and 13 filters should be changed annually; however, if you run your fan 24/7, check the filters at 6 months. All MERV 16, 213CBN, 413CBN, and 513CBN filters should be changed every 6 months.

These are just recommendations. Some filters may need to be changed more often and others less often.

How do I know when my filter is dirty and should be changed?

The color of the filter will change from a bright white to various degrees of dark gray. If you see dirt starting to cake on the outside of the filter, it should be changed immediately.

Aprilaire air filters should typically be replaced every 6 to 12 months, saving you time and money compared to traditional 1-inch filters, which need to be replaced every 1 to 3 months.

How do I know which filter unit to buy for my HVAC system?

Your air purifier model comes with a certain model number and corresponding filter number. On the 4” filters, you will find the model number on the inside of the door and the filter number on the white sticker on the black rail.

What is the difference between the EAC 5000 and the other media filter units?

The Model 5000 is an electronic air cleaner. This unit uses both a media filter and ionizer wires to be a MERV 16 equivalent with a MERV 10 low resistance airflow filter.

Should I have the fan on my system on all the time?

Running your fan 24/7 will continuously clean your air providing maximum cleaning capability.

What is the filter made of?

6” filters are microglass and 4” filters are polypropylene.

Is the filter recyclable?

No, the filter is not recyclable.

Please contact our technical support team to find out how to properly dispose of your air filter.

dander

Healthy Clean Air | Healthy Home |

Remove pet dander with an Aprilaire Air Purifier

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Pet ownership increases dander in the home

Pet ownership has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. People are looking for companionship while they are home alone and a new furry friend provides that. Pets also provide dander and odor. According to the Mayo Clinic, even if the pet is hypoallergenic, it is still going to produce dander.

Luckily, there is a solution to counteract these allergens, but it is not dusting and using scented air sprays. No matter how much you spray and dust, odor, and dander will still linger in the air and can even attach to fabrics in the home. These aerosols need to be captured. An Aprilaire Air Purifier is the perfect solution for removing those airborne irritants. You can either install a whole-home unit or use a room air purifier depending on need.

Whole-home Air Purifier

A whole-home air purifier can be installed as part of your home’s HVAC system to help trap and capture those aerosols and with its Pure Fit Promise, you can be guaranteed that Aprilaire Air Filters and Air Purifiers will work together to effectively trap odors and allergens. A whole-home unit also helps protect your HVAC unit. By trapping dust, and debris, it can help keep your unit running effectively for longer. Otherwise, they can clog up your HVAC system, diminishing the system’s efficiency and lifespan.

Portable Air Purifier

A portable unit is an ideal solution if you do not have an HVAC system with ductwork, you are in a smaller space such as a studio apartment, or if the pet is limited to one room. Equipped with a HEPA Filter, the room air purifier traps up to 99.97% of odors and allergens that flow through.  The unit is lightweight and can be easily transported from room to room. It also comes equipped with four separate modes to choose from including manual, automatic, turbo, and smart. In smart mode, the system automatically detects airborne impurities and you can watch the air particle level indicator move from red to yellow to green as it purifies your air.

There are also several other benefits to using an air purifier for your home including reducing the transmission of airborne viruses and bacteria, and other toxins that linger in your indoor environment and sometimes from unsuspecting sources like your couch. No matter your need, an Aprilaire Air Purifier will help purify your home’s air so you can love your pet without holding your nose or a tissue.

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Experiencing the Fight For Air Climb

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Before the Fight For Air Climb

Entering the US Bank Center for the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb was a rush of energy.

This seemed less like an arduous trek up 1,000 stairs and more of an indoor festival. There were volunteers ready to greet you and pump you up for the ensuing climb and people from different companies sitting at tables ready to hand out souvenirs.

They were probably also there to distract you after you just got done instinctively looking up toward the top of the 47-story US Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee becoming a little uneasy at the prospect of your journey upward.

Before you made your climb, you gathered as a team and took several escalators down to the basement level before getting warmed up with a quick aerobic routine. Then you took a long and winding tunnel where you greeted by more volunteers who were cheering you on. It was hard not to feel inspired and excited.

During the Fight For Air Climb

One-by-one people took off up toward the top of the US Bank Center to begin their Fight For Air Climb. I, like most, started off confidently and quickly. I took the first six flights easily, but then by flight eight, I began to fight for air. I now understand why they title this climb just that. My mind and my body were at odds. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to continue at the same pace to get it over with as quickly as possible or to slow down and feel better. I went with the former.

Everyone in the stairwell was trudging onward with the same dilemma. We all were gasping for air as we kept pushing up each step and each flight toward the top of the Fight For Air Climb. At several points, I wondered if I was actually making any progress.

Every 10 flights there was a group of volunteers handing out cups of water and words of encouragement. Both were sorely needed to help push me along.

With each passing flight, I kept a tally of how many flights I had left. Twenty flights down, 27 more flights to go; 30 flights down, 17 flights to go; Ok, 40 flights down, 7 to go. By the time I got to the 40th floor, I knew I could make the last push to make it to the top of my Fight For Air Climb journey.

After the Fight For Air Climb

Eventually, I reached the top after 9 minutes and 31 seconds. At the top of the stairwell, I was met by volunteers who were cheering me on and by other climbers who were also catching their breath and taking in the picturesque views of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan afforded to us by the tallest building in Wisconsin.

As I grabbed a water and walked around soaking in both the views of the city and my accomplishment, it was really cool to watch teams taking pictures together or greeting other climbers with high-fives and smiles. There was a certain camaraderie found in a common struggle.

Despite the lingering soreness, I cannot wait for next year’s climb. No matter if I beat my time from this year or not, it’s about fighting for air together and helping those impacted with lung disease.

To join an upcoming climb in a city near you, visit www.lung.org/aprilaire.

Healthy Air | News |

Aprilaire Partner Contractor Joins Fight For Air Climb

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“What can you do or say when your family is suffering such losses? It’s devastating,” said Christopher Ciongoli, HVAC salesman/estimator with Aprilaire partner Whalen & Ives.

Chris is participating in the NYC American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb on April 4, 2020. When he heard that Aprilaire was the national Healthy Air sponsor of the event he signed on to the Aprilaire team.

“An opportunity to make difference just appeared to me on Jan 10th in an email from Aprilaire informing me about the Fight for Air Climb. This was it. This is how I would help make a difference and support my wife as well as so many others that are impacted by lung disease”.

Lung disease became an all too familiar fixture in Chris’s life last year when his brother-in-law, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all died from lung disease.

As of February 7, he’s raised 90 percent of his fundraising goal. Not only is Chris excited to help raise funds and awareness, he told us he’s already reaping the benefits of training for the 849-step climb.

“My blood pressure has dropped, my pants are getting loose, and my dog Crosby is getting back in shape too!”

Every morning he goes out with dog Crosby and strengthens his legs and increases his stamina to make sure he can make it to the 44th floor of the 1290 Avenue of Americas building in New York City.

Read more of Chris’s incredible journey by going to his page. Thank you for your efforts, Chris and we cannot wait to hear more.

For more information about the Fight For Air Climb and to find an event in your area, go to https://www.lung.org/aprilaire. To learn how to train for your own climb, head to our page where we share training tips to help you prepare for your own Fight For Air Climb.

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Aprilaire Partners with Wellness Within Your Walls

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Aprilaire is the exclusive Presenting Sponsor for 2020 for Wellness Within Your Walls.

Wellness Within Your Walls (WWYW) is an award-winning education and certification organization which supports reducing and eliminating toxins in living environments to improve overall health and wellness.

The organization’s one-of-a-kind education and certification process enables consumers and professionals to increase awareness about toxins in building materials and furnishings and guide them toward making homes healthier.

Wellness Within Your Walls partnership for national campaign

WWYW will partner with Aprilaire to launch a national “Breathe Healthy” awareness campaign in 2020 to educate consumers, homeowners and the build/design community about the latest products and services that help improve air quality in homes.

“We believe everyone deserves to breathe healthy air, and we believe in the power of education,” said Dale Philippi, president of Aprilaire. “Our mission is to enhance everyone’s health by improving the air in their homes. We are proud to partner with WWYW– an organization building awareness with consumers and professionals about the importance of healthy air.”

“We are excited by our new partnership with Aprilaire. They offer products that solve multiple issues relating to affordable ventilation and humidity control for homes and we’re proud to work with Aprilaire to further elevate the dialog about health and wellness in living environments,” said Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of WWYW.

In addition to the “Breathe Healthy” campaign with WWYW, Aprilaire is the FY20 National Healthy Air Sponsor for the American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb events which support raising awareness of the importance of indoor air quality. The two initiatives will dovetail to further educate consumers and professionals alike about why healthy air – especially in the home, is vital for good health. Good air quality improves overall wellness, helps prevent irritating allergens and pests, and helps shield homes from costly damages.

About Wellness Within Your Walls

Wellness Within Your Walls® is an award-winning informational resource group created to provide education and guidance on chemicals commonly found in living and working spaces. With a goal to empower and guide consumers and professionals toward healthier living environments, WWYW certifies people, places, products and programs globally through education and health and wellness protocols. WWYW’s 10-step holistic approach, known as the Healthy Living System™, results in a legacy of health, harmony and sustainability in living environments. WWYW was founded by Jillian Pritchard Cooke, a 30-year industry veteran with experience as president of interior design firm DES-SYN and owner of the eco-living lifestyle boutique BEE. While designing Atlanta’s EcoManor in 2006, the first Gold LEED-certified single-family residence in the U.S., a cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for turning Jillian’s expertise into a passionate commitment to create healthier living environments by reducing toxins. Wellness Within Your Walls was born. The organization provides frequent and sought-after speakers at trade shows, educational opportunities, workshops, seminars and other industry events. For more information, visit: http://www.wellnesswithinyourwalls.com.