As the world becomes increasingly warmer and more polluted, the air does too. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills over 4 million people worldwide every year. What’s worse–nine out of 10 people in the world breathe polluted air.
Indoor air can contain particles and gases from both indoor and outdoor sources. Reducing pollutant sources, ventilating with clean outdoor air and choosing suitable filtration can help improve indoor air quality. This article introduces several types of air-cleaning equipment.
Different Types of Air Purification Systems for Your Home
An air filtration system minimizes air pollution in your home by filtering air contaminants and pollutants. Some systems are very effective in that they can also sieve virus particles from the air. Installing an air filtration system in your home will greatly improve the air’s breathability and help lessen conditions caused by allergens and contaminants.
A whole-house system is one option for a home with compatible ducted heating and cooling. A portable air cleaner serves a single room or area. Choose based on the spaces you use, the pollutants you want to reduce and your existing equipment.
Electronic Filters
These high-tech units are incorporated into your home’s ducts. As air passes through them, they emit a high-voltage electric current. It creates an electrical charge on the particles in the air. On the other side of the unit, collector plates attract the charged particles, preventing pollutants from flowing out with the air.
Electronic filters are the most advanced among all the purifiers. They capture even the smallest of particles using electricity. They also don’t need to be replaced as often. The collector plates only require a deep clean every few months.
However, they do cost more and consume significantly more energy than other filters. A Honeywell 16” x 25” electrostatic filter costs around $653, exclusive of installation and maintenance fees.
Flat Filters
What’s great about forced-air furnaces is that they likely already have an air filter in the form of a fiberglass filter. This saves you money because you don’t have to buy anything. However, you need to clean the filter regularly. When it becomes clogged with dust (which it will, at some point), your furnace may stop working because it receives low amounts of air.
Another problem with fiberglass filters is that they’re not efficient at blocking microscopic particles that irritate the lungs the most. You can upgrade fiberglass filters to pleated ones. These have much finer material that does a better job of filtering out small particles. They’re also electrostatically charged, so they’re efficient at capturing hair and pet dander. Pleated filters, however, aren’t washable. You need to replace them every few months.
Ultraviolet Filters
UV filters are specifically designed to kill viruses and bacteria as air passes through them. These are built-in components that can be used with your electronic filter. This addition costs at least $400.
Extended Media Filters
Media filters look like a stack of flat and pleated filters. They’re around eight inches thick and contain a variety of filtration fibers. The fibers make them more efficient at catching small particles than fiberglass material.
One of the downsides of extended media filters is that it needs to be professionally installed, like UV and electronic filters. Installation prices start roughly around $400. You also have to replace the filters bi-annually. They cost around $50 each.
The Dangers of Indoor Air Pollution
The health effects of air pollution can range from mild, short-term symptoms to serious, long-term conditions. Pollution isn’t exclusive to the smoke generated by cars and factories outside. Using basic household cleaning items and simply cooking food even degrade your home’s indoor air quality. These activities release small particles into the air, which then easily make their way into our lungs and bloodstream.
These particles are linked to a variety of health issues, including the following:
- Lung and throat irritation
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic bronchitis
- Reduced lung capacity
- Increased mortality risk from lung cancer or heart disease
What Are Fine Particles?
Fine particles are droplets and particles that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Some consider particles to be “fine” if they’re 2.5 microns or less in size. That’s 30 times smaller than a piece of human hair! These come from sources such as outdoor exhaust from cars and trucks. Fine particles also come from burning fuels like coal, wood and oil. Such particles can be generated by chemical reactions in power plants, as well.
Indoor activities such as cooking, smoking and burning candles can add particles to the air. Start by reducing those sources and using ventilation with clean outdoor air. Filtration can supplement these steps, but cannot replace them or remove every pollutant.
Most residential furnace and HVAC filters capture particles. Removing gases, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), requires different filter media, and performance varies by pollutant and product. No air cleaner removes every pollutant or guarantees clean air throughout a home.
Choose a Filter That Fits Your HVAC System
Before buying, check your system’s filter size and manufacturer guidance. Use our MERV selection guide to compare ratings, fit and maintenance. No air cleaner removes every pollutant.
