Cleaner air is better air. There are several ways to achieve cleaner air in your home, one of which is a whole house air purifier.
A central air purifier hooks up to your home air systems and has plenty of benefits. This article will better explain the science behind central air purifiers and whether they are worth the money for your home. Let’s dig in.
What is a Whole House Air Purifier?
A whole house air purifier is a device that is installed in line with your residential HVAC system that will trap or destroy dust, pollen, and other harmful contaminants to clear the air and improve indoor air quality.
A whole-home air purifier installs directly into your existing HVAC system. When the HVAC system is on, the air purifier works to remove contaminants, including pollen, dust, VOCs, etc. There are several types of whole-home air purification systems, and each purifies the air in a slightly different way.
Regardless of the purification method, it all follows a general pattern of filtering forced air.
When you turn on your heating or cooling unit, fans bring air into the vents. Air flows through the ductwork in your home as it undergoes the heating or cooling process or when you simply run the system fan. As the air passes the purification device, pollutants are removed.
The air then circulates back toward the vents and is blown into each room in your house, thus purifying the air throughout the home. This differs significantly from a portable unit that targets a specific space, and the capacity is measured by square footage.
Is a Central Air Purifier the Same as an HVAC Filter?
A central air purifier and an HVAC filter are different.
There are mesh filters installed in your HVAC and furnace. These simply trap big particles of dust and other large bits. Often, you forget these exist and, when you do, you pull out a big white filter thickly crusted with dust. It does the job, but only for very large particulates. You swap it out once every two or three months and that’s that.
Central air purifiers are designed to filter the air in your entire room and should use advanced air cleaning technologies.
While both your HVAC/air conditioner filter and a central air purifier play a part in reducing indoor air pollution, the latter is about a deep cleaning that gets rid of very small particles that cause allergies, irritation, and other adverse effects.
Are Air Purifiers in HVAC Worth It?
High quality air purifiers can get rid of the vast majority of contaminants in the air. An air purifier in your HVAC system will significantly lower indoor air pollution concentration.
A whole house air purifier is worth the money for individuals with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. These systems reduce symptoms by removing air pollutants, which can result in less intense allergy and asthma attacks and a reduction in respiratory and other illnesses.
For individuals living in urban areas that experience moderate to severe air pollution, air purifiers in HVAC are also worth the spend. Highly polluted areas may be near metropolitan areas where chemicals from cars, construction, and more negatively impact air quality. A whole home air purification system will help counteract these pollutants.
Finally, regions with volatile weather conditions can also benefit from whole-home air purifiers. Central air purification units can help reduce toxins produced by conditions such as wildfires or sandstorms.
Whole Home Air Purifiers vs. Portable Air Purifiers
It’s important to note that HVAC filters work to filter the air only when the system is operating.
Most HVAC systems only run when they are needed to heat or cool the home and maintain an optimum temperature. To maximize indoor air quality, you may also choose to use portable air filters that can run as needed on-demand, especially in high traffic rooms or bedrooms.
Features of the Best Central Air Purifiers
Central air purifiers are a powerful way to purify the air in every room of your home. A few key features support the effectiveness of a whole-home air purification system.
HVAC Installation
Installing an air purifier directly into the HVAC system of a house provides effective air purification. Whenever the HVAC system runs to heat or cool your home, the air purification system also runs to clean the air in every room of your house.
Ionic Air Purification
Ionic air purifiers work well as whole home air purifiers. This unique technology blankets your home in negatively charged ions. These attract to particulates and contaminants, weighing them down and taking them out of the air you breathe. It’s a great defense against viruses and bacteria, mold, allergens, VOCs, and odors.
Particulate matter is a dangerous type of air pollution that is easily inhalable and can come from various sources, including fields, fires, roads, and construction sites. The best central air purifiers utilize air ionizer technology for maximal effectiveness.
Paired With HVAC Filters
While they are two different things, HVAC air purifiers can be paired with higher quality HVAC filters. Filters may vary in MERV ratings, but a higher MERV rating generally means a more effective filter.
Because HVAC filters run whenever the heating or air conditioning unit is on, this active form of air purification can target the source of air pollutants and swiftly and effectively eradicate them before indoor air pollution becomes detrimental to your health.
Find the Best Central Air Purifier: Shop Air Oasis
The best central air purifier protects your family against harmful pollutants. From dust and allergens to viruses and VOCs, the best whole-house air purifiers actively work to efficiently remove contaminants from the air.
A central air purifier is installed directly into a home's HVAC system so that it reaches every corner of the house as it runs to heat or cool your home.
Want to investigate the Air Oasis central air purifier?
Improve the indoor air quality of your home with the help of the Air Oasis Bi-Polar® 2400 Whole House Air Purifier.
