If you’re asking this question because you want to know in general if indoor air quality devices are helpful for your home, whether an air purification system or air filtration system, then the answer is yes. You may not absolutely need one, but we highly recommend it.
Most homes have unwanted contaminants floating through their air. It’s difficult to avoid because of the numerous sources of indoor pollutants and the way houses have strong insulation against outdoor air that limits fresh air circulation.
But if your question is more specific—you want to know if you should purchase either an air filter or an air purifier for your home—then our answer is you can have both—and maybe you should. We’ll explain in more detail below.
Start With an Air Filtration System
An air filter is a standard type of indoor air quality system: it stops the movement of particles through it using a mesh of fibers or another physical medium.
You’re familiar with air filters in many parts of your life. In fact, your HVAC system already has a filter in place, located either behind the return air vent inside the house or in a slot on the HVAC cabinet beside the blower.
This filter isn’t designed for cleaning the air. It protects the interior of the HVAC system. If you want better quality air, you’ll need what’s known as a whole-house air filtration system.
We strongly recommend you look into getting one of these filtration systems. Our technicians will integrate it into the ductwork of your home (the slot must be able to hold a thicker filter than the slot for the standard blower filter), and you can then change the filter yourself as needed in the future.
When the Air Filter isn’t Enough, You’ll Need an air Purifier
Air filters come in a variety of strengths, rated with the MERV scale. The stronger the filter, the smaller particles it can stop.
There is a limit to how strong a filter your HVAC system can tolerate, however: too thick a weave and the filter will block airflow, which will not only harm your comfort, it will damage the HVAC system.
When the maximum strength filter you can use still won’t trap all the unwanted particles circulating through your house, you’ll need an air purifier to assist. Air purification systems use electronic means to destroy or remove smaller pollutants from the air.
Most will use ionization or UV ultraviolet lights to do their job. Not only will a purifier eliminate particles that might get through a filter, they cause particles to clump together so the air filter has an easier time trapping them.
You don’t have to worry if you aren’t sure what type of IAQ system is ideal for your needs, or if you have to pair an air filtration system with an air purifier in Apopka, FL. This is a job that requires professionals, and the Facemyer team is glad to help!
Contact Facemyer Air Conditioning and Heating to find out more about improving your home’s indoor air quality. Exceeding Your Expectations With Comfort.