What is whole house purification?
There is no place like when we’re concerned about air pollution. Homes today are built to seal tighter, keep the outside weather and pollution outside. Unfortunately, the air isn’t much better inside our homes, and that is where a whole house purification system can help.
To filter your home’s air as efficient as possible, a whole house purification system is the best way. These are installed to work with your HVAC system, placed inside the return-air ductwork. There they do their job of attracting and trapping those particles that affect the air we breathe as the air passes through. There are two types of household air filters today:
- Media Filters: These creates a barrier to trap the smallest of particles.
- Electronic Filters: These have a high-voltage charge that attracts and traps contaminants.
Do air purifiers work for whole house?
There are whole house purification systems that will clean the air for the entire house, improving the indoor air quality. There are two types of whole house purifiers. One is where a filter is placed in the HVAC system’s air return. The other is an electronic system that is connected to the ductwork.
Either of these will work in conjunction with the HVAC system, removing pollutants throughout the entire home as the air passes through the filter. There are units on the market claiming to be a whole house purification system when in fact they are only a room air purifier and may purify the air in two rooms depending on the square footage.
Why whole house purification?
Rating the effectiveness of a whole house purification objectively isn’t possible because of the different factors and variables that can affect a system. Those factors and variables include:
- The ductwork layout of your home
- The location and number of return air grates
- The existing HVAC system
- The condition of the home in regard to dust, mold problems, pets, smokers, etc.
Recommended types of whole house purifications would be as follows:
- For particulate pollutants like mold spores, pet dander, pollen, and tobacco smoke, a whole house air purification system with a HEPA filter would be the better choice. The filter will need to be changed more frequently to assure the mold doesn’t start growing on the filter.
- A simple furnace filter is sufficient for a home with the basic dust and particulate pollutants, with regular filter changes.
- If getting certain particular odors out of the home like out-gassing materials, paints, tobacco smoke or wood burning fireplaces, a whole house air purification system with a carbon filter stage is recommended.
Maintaining a regular routine schedule for cleaning and replacing the filters is recommended to have the healthiest indoor air quality possible.
Is whole house purification effective or are air purifiers a waste of money?
If you are considering purchasing a whole house purification system, it can be overwhelming deciding which brand is the best one to get, and will it be worth the money? Yes, all brands of whole house purification systems will claim they are the better choice. So, which one is worthwhile?
The Environmental Protection agency, (EPA) recommends a whole house purification system as an excellent way to improve your home’s indoor air quality. With the way homes are built deeply insulated and securely sealed. This makes them more energy efficient, but it doesn’t help with indoor air quality.
Because they are so tightly cleaning product fumes, dust, and pet dander build up inside. This results in the indoor air quality being as polluted, if not more, than the outdoor air quality. For anyone that has allergies, asthma, or any respiratory issues, it creates a health hazard living condition. This is where a whole house purification system can help.
Do you need an air purifier for every room?
What if you can’t afford a whole house purification system, or maybe your home isn’t adaptable to having one installed. Does this mean you’re stuck with poor indoor air quality?
No, there are individual air purifiers. Does that mean you need one each room in your home? The simple answer is no, but you want to make sure you buy the right one, or the right combination of different room air purifiers. Things you need to consider:
- The number and size of the rooms you want to treat.
- The type of air quality problems you want addressed.
Once you have your room purifiers, where is the best place to put an air purifier in a room? The general idea is to get the best efficiency possible from each room purifier. Location, location, location, is more than just real estate. Your room air purifiers need to be placed in the best place possible with these considerations:
- The concentration of pollutants
- The indoor airflow
Based on these factor and the following additional factors, or the seven rules recommended for room air purifiers:
- Place them near the air pollutant problems
- Position the air purifier no lower than 3 feet above and not higher than 5 feet.
- Place them where there is a high airflow
- Keep the unit out of corners
- Keep the vicinity around the unit clear
- Do not place where there is high humidity
- Keep away from electronic appliances and devices
Once you have your whole house purification system or individual room purifiers in place, your family will start breathing heathier air and feel better. This will also minimize, maybe eliminate doctor visits, and missed days at school and work. Call (951) 336-1541 today for your air purifier needs in Riverside, CA.