If this is a question you don’t know the answer to, then now is definitely time to consider it. The thing is, homes without the right air quality systems and services in place have worse air quality than the outdoors. This is because contaminants like allergens and other potentially harmful particles get trapped inside the home with no escape.
Sure, your HVAC systems have an air filter, but this air filter is designed to protect the HVAC system from this debris, not your indoor air or your family. For true indoor air quality protection and improvement, you’ll want to look into products like air cleaners and purifiers. Read on to learn more!
“Air Filter, Air Filtration, Air Cleaner, Air Purifier… What?”
We get it! There is a lot of terminologies out there when it comes to air filtration. We’re here to clear up some of that confusion.
First off, like we mentioned above, the air filter in your HVAC systems is in place to protect the systems themselves from debris. What happens is that dust and dirt get inside the systems and cause friction to the various intricate components inside, which can lead to a number of problems with your air conditioner or a premature replacement.
That air filter should be changed out every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter it is and the level of contaminants in your home. For example, a home with a smoker or any pets is probably going to need that air filter to be changed out more than a home without those particles.
An air filtration system is a system that’s installed in your ductwork. Similar to the air filter, it’s a mesh piece that filters pollutants out of the air. The difference is that it’s bigger, more powerful, and specifically designed to help improve your indoor air–reducing allergens and other unhealthy contaminants.
Air Cleaners are a type of air purifier. For instance, there’s the ionization air cleaner that sends positive ions into the air to react with the negative ions in various particles, drawing those particles onto a plate where they can be cleaned off later.
Another type of air purifier is the UV purifier. Also referred to as UV germicidal lights, a UV air purifier is installed directly into your ductwork where it attacks microorganisms like mold spores and other bacteria that can make even the healthiest member of your family ill.
“So What’s Best for My Home?”
Unfortunately, we don’t have a much better answer to that than “it depends,” without seeing your home and its conditions. There are so many factors that go into improving the indoor comfort of any given home.
By speaking to our professionals, you can make an informed decision. While some homes may benefit from just one of the above-mentioned systems, another could need some combination of the lot. We look forward to helping you determine your specific indoor air quality needs.
Start improving your indoor air quality today by giving our Maumee, OH professionals at AW Heating & Cooling a call!