6 Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Air Purification System
A whole-home air purification system offers several benefits for homeowners. The primary goal of these systems is to improve indoor air quality by removing any hazardous pollutants and allergens from the air throughout the entire home. Dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are just a few examples of what members of your household could be breathing in without a purification system.
In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher indoors than outdoor concentrations. With most people spending the majority of their time indoors, this can be concerning. That’s why air purification systems are becoming increasingly popular.
Other than just improving indoor air quality, central air purifier systems also have other key benefits.
1. Allergy and Asthma Relief
If you or a member of your family in the home has allergies or asthma, then an air purification system just became even more appealing. Cleaner air with fewer allergens and pollutants floating around will provide immense relief for those suffering from allergies or asthma. With these individuals no longer struggling to breathe clean air, they can experience an overall improvement in respiratory health.
2. Reduced Health Concerns
Along with allergens and pollutants, air purifiers for central air can trap and eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of various airborne illnesses altogether. This is particularly significant in homes containing young children, elderly individuals, or those with compromised immune systems.
3. Odor Removal
Candles, essential oils, and diffusers can help cover up bad smells, but air purifiers will remove the source of the smell. There are various methods air purifiers use to do this, usually leveraging a combination of the following technologies:
- Carbon Filtration: This method traps odors and contaminants through absorption.
- HEPA Filtration: This method uses a fine mesh filter to trap particles.
- AHPCO®: A form of ionization that creates long-lasting ions to seek out and inactivate contaminants.
- Bi-Polar®: Another form of ionization that emits positively and negatively charged ions that attach themselves to contaminants, causing them to fall from the air.
- UV Light: This light has a wavelength of 200 to 280 nanometers, which inactivates any bacteria and viruses in the air.
4. Helps Maintain HVAC System
Whole-home air purifiers, sometimes referred to as a “furnace purifier,” are attached to your HVAC system. With it being built into your heating and cooling system, it helps to keep the HVAC clean by trapping particles before they can accumulate in ducts and on the system components.
With a cleaner and better-maintained HVAC system, you’ll benefit from a longer lifespan for the system as well as improved efficiency.
5. Whole-Home Coverage
When most people think of air purifiers, they’re probably thinking of the portable ones that only address certain areas within the home. With a whole-home air purification system, you’re benefiting from comprehensive coverage. Moving through your HVAC system first, purified air is thus evenly dispersed throughout the house.
6. Energy Efficiency
With a purification system also helping to maintain a clean HVAC system, you benefit from improved energy efficiency. With a clean and well-maintained system, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain temperature and ventilation in the home. This will save you money on energy bills, as well.
What Whole-Home Air Purification System Is Right For Me?
Now that you know the benefits of whole-home air purifiers, it’s time to decide which system works best for your home. Household air purifiers usually contain one of two basic filter types: media and electronic filters.
Media filters use a physical barrier to trap particles, while electronic filters use a high-voltage charge to attract and trap contaminants. There are typically four main types of whole-home air purification systems that leverage these two filters:
Flat Filters
Forced-air furnaces are already equipped with this standard air-filtration solution. These filters should be changed at least once a month. They’re designed to protect your HVAC system from large particles of dust and prevent them from being dispersed throughout the home.
While this process might keep the surfaces in your home cleaner, they don’t block the microscopic particles that are most irritating to your respiratory system.
Extended Media Filters
These filters look similar to the flat filters but are about six inches thicker. Containing thicker and more pile’s of filtration media, these filters are more effective at trapping dust and particles than the basic fiberglass flat filters. This air filtration solution requires professional installation due to the need for it to be implemented into your home’s ductwork.
Electronic Filters
These filters are also incorporated into your ductwork. As air passes through, a high-voltage current passes an electrical charge onto the particles. At the end of the unit, oppositely charged collector plates attract the particles like a magnet. As opposed to media filters, electronic filters never require replacement, but the aluminum collector plates should be cleaned every few months.
Ultraviolet Filters
Those worried primarily about germs in the home should consider a UV filter. Typically, these types of filters are built-in components, separately sold from a whole-home air purification system as an add-on. The ultraviolet light zaps airborne bacteria, fully eliminating them. UV filters are the best option for reducing illness and the spread of germs in the home.
At Total Comfort, we believe everyone should get the best air quality possible, no matter the cost. That’s why we offer flexible financing options and extensive deals year-round. Turn to Total Comfort for all of your indoor air quality needs. For holistic air purifier services in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and whole-house air purifier installation, contact us today at 763-244-1800 or schedule an appointment online.