Choosing between an air cleaner or air purifier can be confusing. That’s understandable considering that there are many technologies to choose from, such as UV lights and HEPA filters. Then, you must decide if you need a portable unit or a whole-house system.
Finally, and to help clear up matters, the two terms “cleaner” and “purifier” and their functions are one and the same — they’re interchangeable.
Air Cleaning Technologies
Following technologies remove a host of airborne contaminants, however, in different ways:
- Pre-filter: The purpose of pre-filters used in many air cleaners is to remove larger airborne particles.
- Carbon activated: If you want to remove odors from your home, choose an air cleaning model that uses a carbon-activated filter.
- Electrostatic precipitators: This technology works by giving particles an electrical charge that is then attracted to, captured, and removed by oppositely-charged plates.
- UV lights: Microorganisms have no natural defense against UV (ultraviolet) light. Once exposed, they begin to break down and can’t proliferate.
- HEPA: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are dense media filters that are effective at capturing tiny particles to 0.3 microns at a 99.97 percent efficiency rate.
Choosing the Right System
Air cleaners are available in portable floor or table-top units, or whole-house systems that are installed in the air ducts. Portable units are designed to clean air in a small area or room.
Whole-house air cleaners remove airborne contaminants as they pass through the return ducts. These systems and installation technique cleans the air throughout your living spaces and protects essential HVAC parts.
For example, mold and mildew are notorious for building up on the evaporator coil. This reduces efficiency, and can spread mold spores through the ducts and back to your living spaces.
You also need to consider the technologies you want on board your air cleaner. Some air cleaners, such as UV lights, only use one air cleaning method. Other models combine technologies, such as carbon-activated, HEPA, and antimicrobial filters, for more comprehensive air cleaning.
If you have questions about choosing the right air cleaner for your Erie county home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air purifiers and cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area