Are you concerned about the air quality in your home? If so, you may be considering an air purifier to help create a cleaner, healthier air supply. There are two main types of air purifiers available; whole-home and room units. Learning the basics of each type can help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Whole-Home Air Purifiers
A whole-home air purifier uses forced-air HVAC ductwork to effectively clean the air circulating throughout a house. The purifier itself is installed adjacent to the HVAC air handler inside the return ducting, so the air gets cleaned before it’s conditioned and distributed. This type of air cleaner is quiet and convenient to operate – all you’ll hear is your HVAC blower, and the device is easily programmed via your thermostat. The most common purification technologies used today include:
- High-efficiency media filtration. These thick pleated filters offer a high MERV rating. They most effective at capturing particles like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, household dust and mold spores.
- Activated carbon filtration. Some purifiers include an activated carbon filter capable of removing smoke, odors and VOCs.
- UV lamps. Germicidal UV lamps zap and kill organic and biological contaminants in the air flowing through an HVAC system. The light works by destroying the cells of viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae.
- Photocatalytic oxidation. This advanced technology completely eradicates bacteria and viruses, and converts vapor and odor molecules into non-toxic carbon dioxide and water.
Whole-house air purifiers should only be installed by an experienced HVAC technician to avoid any risk of system airflow restrictions that can damage key components.
Room Air Purifiers
Room air purifiers are a good option for smaller living spaces or homes without HVAC ductwork. They’re sized for use in single areas or rooms up to a certain square footage. There are a variety of styles and models available today featuring one or a combination of air purification technologies, such as UV light, negative ion, HEPA filtration and activated charcoal.
To learn about the best air purifiers for your Indianapolis home, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
