Las Vegas, NV deals with various air quality issues throughout the different seasons. Harmful pollutants from dust storms and industrial emissions can both impact your health and comfort. Mix dust with other irritants, like pets and pollen, and the air quality becomes much worse. Choosing the right type of filtration is crucial to keeping your living spaces as healthy and comfortable as possible.
What Types of Air Quality Issues Does Las Vegas Deal With?
Las Vegas is well known for its poor air quality. During the summer, ozone from vehicle emissions and sunlight tends to build up, which can compromise your respiratory health. Temperature inversions and particulate pollution are some of the top air quality issues in winter, due to the valley geography and stagnant air. In the spring, pollen from local trees and grasses sometimes spikes, triggering allergy symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes.
All of these pollutants are hazardous to indoor air quality. Even if you live outside of the city, you still have to deal with dust infiltration and seasonal pollen drift.
Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns in Las Vegas
Outdoor pollution isn’t the only thing that affects indoor air quality. Many problems stem from everyday activities and hidden sources inside your home. You probably don’t even realize all the pollutants that come from cooking or cleaning. Familiarizing yourself with the different sources of poor indoor air quality is essential to choosing the right filtration method.
- Off-gassing from furniture and carpets
- Cleaning chemicals and household products
- Indoor mold and mildew growth
- Pet dander and hair buildup
- Secondhand smoke or vaping residue
- Poor ventilation in tightly sealed homes
- Cooking fumes and lingering odors
- Dust mites in bedding and upholstery
- Humidity imbalances from air conditioning
- Airborne bacteria and viruses recirculating indoors
Air Purification Options
You have several air purification options to choose from, including whole-home models and special filter upgrades. If the goal is to simply improve your overall indoor air quality, a standard whole-home air purifier will give you the best coverage. This type connects directly to the HVAC to deliver clean, filtered air every time the AC or heater kicks on.
Filter upgrades are the best option when you want to capture more particles without having to install a full purification system. The best one depends on your health needs, existing HVAC system and maintenance preferences.
We’ll go over all of the different options, like high-efficiency pleated versions and media filters that provide more surface area. Electrostatic filters use static electricity and charged particles to clean the air, which works great for dust and allergens. Activated carbon charcoal filters can help with odor reduction and VOC removal.
If you do opt to use special filters, you must keep them changed regularly. Here’s a basic changing guideline for the different types.
- HEPA filters every 6–12 months
- Carbon filters every 3–6 months
- Electrostatic filters (disposable) every 1–3 months
- Electrostatic filters (washable); clean monthly, replace every few years
- Fiberglass filters every 30 days
- Pleated filters every 3 months
- Hybrid filters (HEPA + carbon) every 6–12 months
A Close Look at UV Lights
UV lights are another form of whole-home air purification. But instead of sending the air through filters, this setup uses ultraviolet lamps to neutralize bacteria, mold spores and viruses. The lamps attach directly to the HVAC and require cleaning every few months. They also need a replacement every one to two years to stay effective. This option is especially ideal for households with recurring microbial growth.
It normally takes us about one to two hours to add UV lamps to an HVAC system. If we have to do any electrical modifications or duct adjustments, it might take a little longer. Because this option doesn’t require any major renovations, it gives you another simple way to start enjoying better indoor air quality.
You can use UV lamps on forced-air systems and ductless setups. The lamps are typically installed inside the air handler(s) or somewhere near the evaporator coil. Some ducted configurations place the lamps in the supply plenum. This location helps ensure that all air receives purification from the UV light.
Which Option Is Best for Your Home
If you tend to let the windows stay open during the day to enjoy a breeze and fresh air, there’s probably a lot more dust in your house. Because of this, you’ll definitely want a whole-home air purification option.
Homes in places closer to the Strip or other major highways usually deal with pollutants from heavy traffic. A special filter, like a carbon filter or HEPA filter, can help get rid of the fine particles so that you enjoy cleaner air. Pleated and media-style filters also work well because of their larger surface area and layered design.
UV lamps are the right choice when you want to focus on eliminating bacteria and viruses. Or maybe you have recurring mold or mildew in the home. With UV lamps, you get better protection against airborne microbes and lingering odors. Many homes with pets install UV lamps to create fresher living spaces where dander doesn’t recirculate.
Understanding the Different Benefits of Cleaner Indoor Air
Cleaner indoor air is, of course, healthier for you to breathe, but it also comes with several other advantages. Since there isn’t as much dust floating throughout the home, you may not have to dust as often. And because there isn’t any trapped pollution, you won’t have to worry about foul odors building up indoors.
Cleaner air also translates into a more energy-efficient heating and cooling system. Dust from everyday living will sometimes build up on the coils and blower, leading to airflow restrictions and efficiency issues. An air purifier removes the particles, reducing buildup and helping your system run more smoothly. This not only helps the HVAC last longer but also lowers your energy costs.
Do All Air Purification Options Require Professional Installation?
Having a professional perform the installation delivers several benefits. You won’t have to worry about mistakes or installing the wrong size filter. We’ll carefully inspect the ductwork and air handler to make sure everything is properly set up.
If you want to go with UV purification, some homes require a minor electrical adjustment before we can install the lamps. We might even have to add a dedicated circuit to ensure the system runs safely and reliably.
After we’re finished with the installation, we’ll walk you through how to operate the system. Some air purifiers have different settings for fan speed and air quality levels. Some even connect to Wi-Fi, giving you remote access and other features like scheduling and filter change alerts.
Improve Air Quality Today
Polar Air & Heating, Inc. offers expert support for achieving better indoor air quality. In addition to installation help, we also offer repairs and tune-ups for air purifiers and UV lamps.
Call Polar Air & Heating, Inc. today to book service with a reputable HVAC company in Las Vegas.
