4 Types of Whole-House Air Cleaning & Filtration Technology to Consider
Your home’s central heating and cooling system represents the front lines in the battle to keep your air clean and healthy. When it comes to whole-house air cleaning and filtration, there are plenty of options to consider, such as these four common filtration and purification technologies.
Flat Filters
The vast majority of central air furnaces and air conditioners are already equipped with this standard form of filtration. These usually fiberglass filters are mainly designed to protect your central air system against large dust particles while offering a small benefit in regards to air cleaning. The overall effectiveness of an air filter, whether flat panel or more sophisticated models, depends on its design and its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), which runs from lowest-efficiency 1 to highest residential efficiency 16. Extended Media Filters These filters feature accordion-like stacks of filtration media, making them thicker and more effective against airborne particles. Extended media filters are designed to be plumbed into the ductwork, necessitating professional installation and making them more expensive than their thinner counterparts.
Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators, also known as electronic filters, are another option for whole-house air cleaning and filtration. An electrostatic charge generated with a high-voltage current is used to grab and trap airborne particles. This form of whole-house air cleaning is particularly effective when dealing with smoke particles. While electrostatic precipitators do not require replacement, the aluminum collector plates must be cleaned every few months.
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation UVGI systems rely on ultraviolet light to disable and eventually destroy bacteria, viruses and other organic particulates in your indoor air. These systems are often used in conjunction with other air purification and filtration technologies. Typically, UV light systems are installed in the ducts, with the light shining on the airstream as it circulates. Some systems shine directly on A/C or heat pump coils. Some of these air cleaning and filtration systems are also available in portable form, giving you another set of options when it comes to improving your home’s indoor air quality.
Contact the professionals at Sobieski Services to weigh your whole-house air cleaning and filtration options. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).
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