We’re living in uniquely challenging times and we know you’re doing all you can to care for yourself and your family during the COVID-19 event. 

As an essential business, E3 INNOVATE is ready to assist homeowners like you across the Nashville area. If you find yourself needing maintenance assistance, contact us. We’re doing all we can to support our clients during these uncertain times. 

As you and your family continue to work and learn from home, your comfort and indoor air quality has never mattered more. As we are all spending more time inside, the air quality can make a difference in how you feel. Read up on simple steps you can take today to take care of your air. 

Replace or Upgrade Your Filter

You should already change your filters on a monthly or seasonal-basis - depending on your filter type - to reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your air, but now is a good time to make sure your filter is clean and if not, consider upgrading to a higher-efficiency filter. When looking at air filters, you should look at the MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measures how successfully the filter catches pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the percentage of small-sized particles that are trapped by the filter. It is these fine-sized particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) that pass through our nose unfiltered and are known to possibly cause respiratory issues.

Flat-panel fiberglass filters, or washable filters, are the most basic and economic filters, and they typically rank between 1 and 4 on the MERV register. The primary role of these filters is to protect the HVAC equipment, not to protect your health! Pleated media filters are better and are rated between MERV 5 and 16. We advise buying no less than a MERV 13 if the system allows for it. Keep in mind that many of the filters available in the market are very restrictive to airflow at higher efficiencies, which could cause heating and cooling issues. Working with E3 INNOVATE can help you ensure your filtration system works in conjunction with your heating and cooling system.  

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are regarded as the gold standard in air filtration; they’re usually in use at hospitals. They’re effective at trapping 99.97–99.99% of indoor pollutants, including pollen, pet dander and smoke. E3 INNOVATE can install a HEPA filter on your home for maximum filtration performance. 

Get Your Best Night’s Sleep

There’s a direct correlation between your body’s temperature and sleep cycle. Research suggests that the ideal condition for sleep sits somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees. If that seems on the cool side, there’s a reason: your core body temperature drops to a lower level during sleep. An overly warm temperature interferes with your brain’s messages that it’s time to get some shut-eye.

Adjust Your Temperature for Your Fitness Routine

As you’re practicing social distancing, you’re likely adjusting a majority of your routines, including how and where you exercise. Practicing traditional yoga, for example, calls for a temperature between 70 and 76 degrees, but you might want to raise or lower your thermostat by a few degrees depending on your personal preference. 

You also want to keep in mind your home’s humidity, airborne pollutants and even a general perception of how the air “feels.” A good HVAC system integrated with the right indoor air quality solutions lets you control all of these factors so that your workout leaves you feeling great inside and out.

Call the Professionals

Whether you have questions around upgrading your filter, seasonal maintenance, or repairing or replacing your system, our building performance experts are here for you during this time. Before you try to correct a system error or make a purchase on your own, contact E3 INNOVATE for an expert’s opinion. 

We know these are challenging times. If you need us, E3 INNOVATE is here to help and we’re committed to keeping your air, and your home, perfectly comfortable. Here’s to home.

Contact us today.