Lately, I’ve been fielding more questions about our air here in Central Florida, especially in Orlando. It’s no secret: we’re breathing in more pollutants than before. That wildfire smoke drifting in, vehicle emissions, chemicals from around the house—they’re all taking a toll.
Wildfire Smoke: Not Just a West Coast Problem
In just the past few years, Florida has faced serious wildfires. In May 2023, the Sandy Fire in Big Cypress National Preserve burned nearly 20,000 acres, sending smoke that drifted into Orlando and beyond. This isn’t a one-off—the increasing frequency of wildfires across the Southeast means more days with fine particulate matter floating in our homes, straining HVAC filters and resting on countertops rather than staying outside.
Orlando’s Air Quality: Trending Downward
Once among the cleaner urban centers, Orlando’s air quality has taken a noticeable step backward. According to the American Lung Association’s latest “State of the Air” report covering 2021–2023, ground-level ozone and particle pollution spiked just enough to fold our clean “A” into a “B” rating. That’s small numerically—0.3 “unhealthy” days per year—but meaningful when your asthma or heart health is on the line.
What’s driving this? First, vehicle traffic has surged—Florida registered a 55% increase in vehicle emissions since 1990. Second, sunny, hot Central Florida is ideal breeding ground for smog: sunlight and heat combining car exhausts and VOCs to form ground-level ozone. Finally, wildfire smoke—carrying PM₂.₅ particles—adds insult to injury, slipping in through cracks even when windows stay shut.
What are PM₂.5 Particles?
You may have seen the term PM₂.₅ in news reports or air quality indexes, but what does it actually mean? PM₂.₅ refers to particulate matter that’s 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter—so small that it’s nearly invisible to the naked eye. For perspective, these particles are about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. Because of their size, PM₂.₅ particles can slip past the body’s natural defenses in your nose and throat, lodge deep in the lungs, and even enter the bloodstream.
The concern with PM₂.₅ isn’t just that it's floating in the air—it’s what it does to your health. Exposure to these particles has been strongly linked to respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis, as well as more serious risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and even long-term cognitive decline. In fact, the World Health Organization classifies PM₂.₅ as one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution for human health.
Here in Florida, PM₂.₅ levels can spike during wildfire season or in areas with heavy traffic. Indoors, everyday activities like cooking, using cleaning products, or burning candles can increase PM₂.₅ concentrations even further. And since modern homes are built tighter for energy efficiency, these pollutants tend to build up instead of dissipating.
That’s where advanced air purifiers like the REME HALO and HALO-LED come into play. These devices don’t just filter particles—they neutralize them or cause them to clump together, making it easier for your HVAC system to capture and remove them before they reach your lungs. It’s a crucial layer of protection for your home and your health.
Everyday Chemicals: The Invisible Threat Indoors
It’s not just outdoor air polluting your home—it’s your home itself. Everyday items like cleaners, candles, personal care products, and cooking appliances release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde, and terpenes. These VOCs can be up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors (en.wikipedia.org).
Once emitted, they don’t just disappear. VOCs linger in carpets, paint, and upholstery, slowly off-gassing long after the product is stored away. Inside during the summer, VOC levels spike as heat accelerates these emissions—then reacts with ozone to form secondary pollutants that irritate eyes, throats, lungs, and hearts.
The Human Cost of Bad Air—In Central Florida Homes
Studies tell us that dirty indoor air isn’t just unpleasant—it’s damaging:
Research shows that household air pollution significantly worsens asthma and chronic respiratory disease in both adults and children, increasing coughing, wheezing, and overall lung stress. Fine particulate matter is strongly linked with strokes, heart attacks, and chronic cardiovascular issues. Emerging research connects PM₂.₅ exposure to decreased cognitive function—slower memory, focus, and decision-making—even in healthy adults.
Many of my customers have shared stories of fatigue, headaches, and respiratory flare-ups at home. While they feel fine outdoors, a night inside can trigger symptoms—especially when the AC runs and stale, polluted air circulates.
Solving the Problem: REME HALO vs. HALO‑LED
That’s where our trusted REME in-duct systems come in. ServiceOne only installs the REME HALO® and HALO‑LED®, because they don’t just filter—they sanitize.
REME Halo devices use a special process that releases safe, ionized hydrogen peroxide into the air to kill germs, mold, chemicals, and even the tiniest particles—cleaning the air throughout your entire home.
REME stands for Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy.
This is the proprietary technology developed by RGF Environmental Group, which powers the REME HALO and HALO-LED air purification systems. It uses an electromagnetic energy cell to create low levels of hydro-peroxides, which are naturally occurring, safe oxidizers. These molecules actively purify the air by neutralizing airborne pollutants like viruses, bacteria, mold spores, VOCs, and particulates throughout your entire home, not just where the air filter sits.
In short, REME is what gives these systems their unique ability to treat air in every room—not just trap it in a filter.
Simple. Effective. Affordable.
REME devices are compact, unobtrusive units that fit directly into the air ducts of your existing HVAC system. You won’t see them in your living space—they quietly go to work behind the scenes, tucked neatly into your air handler where they treat the air as it flows through your home. Designed with efficiency in mind, these units are about the size of a small shoebox and require no bulky equipment or visible changes to your living areas.
Installation is quick and straightforward when handled by a licensed HVAC professional. There’s no need for major construction, drywall cutting, or disruptive remodeling. In most cases, a skilled technician from ServiceOne can complete the installation in just a couple of hours. Once installed, the system activates automatically with your HVAC system, purifying the air with every cycle—no need to flip switches or fuss with controls. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a big difference in your home’s air quality without turning your house into a construction zone.
REME HALO vs. HALO‑LED
Here’s how they compare. The main difference is that HALO LED includes an LED UV light.
Feature | REME HALO | HALO‑LED |
Light Source | Traditional UV lamp | Energy-saving LED-based UV |
Ozone Emission | Small, within safety limits | Zero-ozone certified (epa.gov) |
Cell Replacement | Every 2–3 years | Every 4–5 years |
Power Use | Runs constantly | Only operates when blower runs |
Coronavirus Testing | Proven effective in labs | Uses same ionization tech, but still pending virus-specific tests |
In short, REME HALO brings virus‑tested reliability, while HALO‑LED offers longer life, efficiency gains, and zero-ozone operation. Both deliver top-tier air sanitization for Orlando homes.
Why ServiceOne—and Why Now?
As owner Billy Gouty, I take personal pride in tailoring these units to each Central Florida home. We don’t just install—our team calibrates, educates, and supports for the long haul.
And here's your timely incentive: Explore our special pricing on REME systems that runs through June 30, 2025. Whether you're upgrading to REME HALO or stepping up to HALO‑LED, now is the smart time to act.
Breathing Easier Starts Here
When wildfire smoke clouds our skies, sunlight turns vehicle fumes into smog, and chemicals lurk in everyday items, clean indoor air becomes a battleground. But with REME HALO or HALO‑LED from ServiceOne, you get more than air purification—you get peace of mind.
Let’s set up a free consultation, take a tour of the lab results, and get your home’s air quality back where it belongs—clean, fresh, and safe—for your family’s health.
To your health!