Indoor air pollution is an often-overlooked health risk in many American homes and businesses. While there is a lot you can do with even the standard HVAC set up to reduce indoor air pollution, an HVAC air purifier can help too. There are a few different kinds of air purifiers out there, and different HVAC systems work better with different approaches. Learning more about HVAC air purifiers and how they work is a great place to start. You can also get in touch with your heating & air conditioning service team at Galmiche & Son to find out more.
What Is An HVAC Air Purifier?
An HVAC air purifier is any additional air filtration system added to your HVAC system. The idea behind an air purifier is to improve air quality beyond what the standard paper filters achieve. Filters will catch larger pollutants like dust, but miss smaller particles like bacteria, allergens, and mold. So, adding an HVAC air purifier can help catch more potential pollutants from the air in your home or business.
There are a few main types of air purifier:
- HEPA filters: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter and they can remove as much as 99% of pollutants from your air. These heavy duty filters can be added to your HVAC system relatively easily, often simply taking the place of regular HVAC filters.
- Carbon activated filters: These filters are an especially great HVAC air purifier if you are dealing with strong odors or volatile chemicals. They are especially good at capturing smells, and also remove many other pollutants as well.
- Electrostatic filters: Some HVAC air purifiers also use static electricity to trap particles. This can boost performance and trap particles down to .1 micron in size.
- Ultraviolet light: Ultraviolet light is great for killing tiny organisms such as bacteria and mold. An HVAC air purifier with ultraviolet light is a good idea for people who have compromised immune systems, or in places with lots of small children.
If you decide you need more than a basic filter, there are a lot of options out there. Plus, with new technologies coming to the world of HVAC all the time, there might be new purification innovations just around the corner.
Do You Need An Air Purifier?
Determining whether you need the extra power of an HVAC air purifier can be a tricky question. You can keep your home’s air fairly clean simply by changing your air filter regularly and having your ductwork cleaned and inspected. Still, there are some instances where an HVAC air purifier is well worth it. People with health issues, especially respiratory issues, often find they are much healthier and more comfortable with the added purification. You should also consider the kinds of pollutants that go into your air. Businesses that use volatile chemical compounds (VOCs), for instance, also have a lot to gain from additional air purification.
Learn More About HVAC Air Purification in St. Louis
If you are still not sure when it comes to an HVAC air purifier, just get in touch with the heating & air conditioning professionals at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis today and ask about your air purification options and alternatives.
