Did you know that he EPA states that “Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks”? You might be wondering what you can do to improve the air quality in your home. Pollutants in your home can affect everyone, not just those you suffer from asthma, allergies, or have lung problems. Since indoor air pollution is such a major concern, and air filters can only do so much, the question is, do you need an air purification system for your home? Let’s find out!
Not all air filters are created the same. Conventional HVAC filters capture only the largest contaminates, like bacteria, mold spores, pet dander, pollen, dust, and debris. Warrior IAQ products neutralize fine particles like pet allergens, smog, tobacco smoke, and viruses. That’s why we’re offering 20% OFF all Warrior Carbon Air Purifiers and Warrior Ultraviolet Light Air Purifiers!
Common Indoor Pollutants
Particles commonly found in the air in residential homes can include:
Mold
Dust mites
Pet dander
Pollen
Bacteria
Viruses
Microplastics
Volatile organic compounds
VOCs from furniture or paint
Chemicals from household cleaners
Pesticides
Tobacco smoke
Related: How Often Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
Air Purification Systems and How they Work
Often called “air cleaners,” air purification systems remove allergens and pollutants from the air in your home with filters. UV light air cleaners on the other hand kill bacteria and viruses in your HVAC system and the air that flows through your home.
Let’s take a look at the common types of air purification systems:
Media Air Purifiers:
These are also known as mechanical air cleaners and use thick filters to trap small particles in your HVAC system. These kinds of air cleaners don’t draw off of electricity, they filter pollutants in the air that flows through their filters when the blower fan is running. These kinds of air purifiers usually use three types of media air filters, such as HEPA filters, activated charcoal/carbon filters, and charged media filters to filter out the most pollutants and particles in your home.
Pros:
Can remove 99.9% of pollutants and particles from the air in your home.
Affordable installation and replacement filters
Cons
Only remove pollutants when the fan is running
Can only remove pollutants that pass through them
Media filters must be replaced regularly to remain effective
HVAC system might run harder and use more energy due to the thick filters
Electronic Air Cleaners ( EACs)
Most EACs use a two-step filtration. First, a pre-filter catches large particles, then tiny particles that are floating in the air are charged with electricity. Once they are charged, they are attracted to collector plates that have an opposite charge ( like a magnet!) which removes these tiny particles from the air. This process can sometimes also destroy viruses and bacteria.
You might hear these called ionic or electrostatic air cleaners due to their use of electrical charges. The best part? Their filters can be washed in the dishwasher and air-dried!
Pros:
Washable filters
Filters are inexpensive
Cons:
Having to wash the filters can become a hassle
Only trap 95% to 97% of particles
Only filter air when the HVAC system is running
Have parts that can fail over time
Combination Air Cleaners
Some air cleaners combine the use of media filters, electronic charging, and the use of UV light to remove particles and pollutants from the air. The bonus is that the UV light destroys bacteria and viruses, something that we are very aware of in our current pandemic.
So, the bottom line. Do you need an air purification system in your home? Well, it all depends on where you live, if you have pets, or if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or other problems.
We recommend:
Media Air Cleaners: A good fit for those households with healthy inhabitants. If you have pets, this would be a good way to trap pet-dander. If you live in a dusty area make sure to include a HEPA filter.
Electronic Air Cleaners: Useful in homes with small children or elderly. Best for those who don’t want the cost of replacement filters.
Combination Units: Ideal for households where inhabitants have asthma, allergies, or COPD.
Other Ways to Combat Pollutants in the Home
Choose low VOC furniture to paint
Use natural cleaners
Dust and vacuum weekly
Do not smoke indoors
Open windows periodically to replace the inside air
Use a vent hood when cooking in the kitchen
Related: Pet Owners: 5 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Warrior Air Purifiers have made a life-changing difference within our own families here at Super Heat & Air, and we want yours to benefit from them as well! Our Super-Fast technicians can quickly install an affordable Warrior Air Purifier in your home or office so you can experience clean indoor air as soon as possible. Give us a call or schedule a free consultation online today. (813) 279-8213
