At a time when we are still combatting the COVID-19 (a deadly flu-like virus that can be transmitted through the air) pandemic, and still, in many cases, restricted with our outdoor activities, we are all more aware than ever about the quality of our indoor air.
Because we spend more time inside our homes these days, we are also confronting allergens more than in the past. In fact, you may be surprised to know that the quality of indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside! What’s more, the high occupancy of commercial buildings makes them one of the most polluted indoor air environments.
It is no wonder that there is a heightened awareness of the quality of the air we breathe when we are indoors – at home or at work. Whether it’s this year’s airborne flu virus, worsening air pollution, or allergies on the rise, it’s understandable to be concerned.
It is no surprise that we are all very focused on ensuring the air in our homes and businesses is as clean and pure as possible.
So that is why we want to take a look at some of the different types of air cleaners or purifiers that are available on the market. And, of course, not all air purifiers are created equal. There are at least several types of air purifiers, some of which have the ability to filter out larger particles such as dander, hair, and dirt. Others trap microscopic particles like germs, viruses, odors, and mold.
Let’s examine what types of air cleaners are available and how helpful they are in keeping our indoor air safe and healthy.
Different Types of Air Cleaners
Media Air Cleaners
These types of air purifiers provide advanced filtration of airborne pollutants beyond what a typical furnace filter can offer. As media air cleaners utilize filters that are thick and dense, they usually trap more and finer particles. Media filter types of purifiers tend to be ideal for trapping many types of pollutants, from common allergens such as dust mites and pet dander to biological matter, like mold spores.
Media air cleaners filter air before it moves into the furnace or air handler. It removes contaminants, traps them, and prevents recirculation in living spaces, while also protecting sensitive HVAC system components from exposure.
You can find some types of air purifiers that utilize UV light, while others use electrostatic methods to capture contaminants into the filters and kills them. UV light air purifiers use ultraviolet energy to treat airborne pollutants. These types of air cleaners make particulate matter ineffective and unable to reproduce. UV light air purifiers treat mold, viruses, bacteria, and germs.
HEPA Air Filters
HEPA air purifiers can remove 99.7 percent of all particles bigger than 0.2 microns from the indoor air with the use of an advanced air filter. HEPA air purifiers are especially effective at eliminating particles such as pollen, dander, mold, and dust from the air.
Activated Carbon Air Purifiers
If you want to remove smoke, odors, fumes, and gasses from your indoor air, then you could opt for activated carbon air purifiers, especially if you are sensitive to odors like smoke and natural gas. This carbon air purifier is designed to remove odors, chemicals, fumes, smoke, and gasses from the air.
Ionic Air Purifiers
These air purifiers are well suited for people who prefer quiet. The ionic air purifiers are very quiet and operate without a motor. They work by emitting negative ions into the air, which adhere to positively charged, airborne particles like dust, making these particles so heavy that they eventually fall out of the air. There are some ionic air purifiers that come equipped with electrostatic precipitators that trap positively charged particles to a metal plate inside the air purifier.
Electronic Air Cleaners
This is a whole-home solution that works with your furnace or air conditioner to charge and trap airborne particles using static electricity.
What is most impressive, is that electronic air cleaners can eliminate up to 99.98 percent of allergens from the air in your home or office using HEPA filters and positively charged ions. By using a HEPA filter in combination with your heating and cooling systems, they can purify your entire home. Electronic air cleaners work by ensuring that the air that circulates through your HVAC system also passes through a HEPA filter that traps particles as tiny as .3 microns. Any remaining contaminants are then zapped by positively charged ions that are generated by the electronic air cleaner.
Central Air Cleaners
Central air cleaners purify your indoor air by connecting to your central heating and cooling system. Central air cleaners work silently in the ductwork of your home to eliminate up to
99 percent of the pollen in your home, 98 percent of the dust, and 94 percent of the viruses in your home. What is especially appealing about these air purifiers is that they significantly decrease the impact of allergies, asthma, and viruses on your health.
Air-to-Air Exchangers
Air-to-air exchangers cleanse and renew the air in your home by removing old, stale air, and bringing in healthy, fresh air. Using “energy recovery ventilators,” air-to-air exchangers can play a major role in regulating the temperature and humidity in your home. If your home is besieged with stale air or poor circulation, an air-to-air exchanger will bring the fresh air in from the outdoors.
Look to Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning to Help You Achieve Optimal Clean, Healthy Air in Your Home or Office with our HVAC Systems
Look to the HVAC experts at Apollo to ensure your energy system is in excellent condition and operating at optimal efficiency, while also helping to keep your indoor air of the utmost quality!
In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning want to make you aware of a product that pro-actively treats every cubic inch of conditioned air in your home or business. The In-Duct LED Air Purifier is a whole-home air purification system that reduces airborne and surface contaminants, viruses, and pollutants, all through bi-polar ionization.
Apollo field technicians will work closely with you in deciding what HVAC system is the best, and tailor it to fit your unique needs and preferences, and the indoor environment! We are committed to delivering premium quality HVAC service, maintenance, products, and documentation in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and beyond!
Learn more by contacting Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning! Call us at (509) 396-COLD (2653).
