The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind
We always dream of laying on a sunny beach somewhere watching the light, tropical breezes blow through the palm trees. For some reason the movement of air through the trees or fields of wheat or tall grass creates a sense of calm and peace. Yet strong, cold winds blowing off snow or water into our face creates shear misery.
Producing wind or air movement via the use of various types of fans has been around since the early 1900’s. With the invention of the small, electric motor fans became more popular and the preferred way to provide cooling for people, animals and machines. As the design of fan blades, motors and digital controllers improved, fans found their way into the majority of homes, offices and schools.
With the ability to control fan speed and direction, ceiling fans are now the preferred method of moving air to keep it from becoming stale or stagnant. In addition, the fans aid in moving cool and warm air through various rooms in the house in the summer and winter months. However, aside from moving air and adding some comfort, fans also create some environmental issues that should be considered.
When a ceiling fan or box fan is moving air in a room or large area is it also moving any of the airborne particulate that is suspended in the air. While sometimes this can aid in keeping the dust airborne until it is picked up by the return air ducts and then filtered in your HVAC unit, this constant dispersal of dust also keeps it up in the breathing zone.
For people with allergies due to dust, pollen, ragweed, animal dander, dust mite feces, etc, running a ceiling fan may not be in your best interest. The airborne contaminants are extremely small and light and easily picked up off the floor, furniture and other flat surfaces and then redeposited on other surfaces, including beds and sofas.
When dusting or running a vacuum it may be a good idea to turn off all the fans. No matter how good a dusting cloth or how efficient the a vacuum, the process of cleaning will always disturb some of the dust. Even with HEPA filters, good vacuums will discharge a fair amount of small, sub-micron particles into the air while cleaning the carpets and floors. Again, the fans will just put this residual dust back on the same surfaces you just cleaned.
Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based fan powered air filtration systems since 1985. They have a complete line of systems that can be either attached to an existing HVAC system or used as stand alone units. In addition, PAS offers a line of portable HEPA units that can be used for single room or large area applications. For more information please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com