The air we breathe indoors is just as important as the air we breathe outside, and that’s why your home’s air should be kept clean and healthy! In an effort to protect your air quality, you might be wondering what’s the difference between air filtration and purification, and which one is better for your home?
Given that many Americans spend much of their time indoors, it’s a smart idea to look into how filtering and purifying indoor air can protect your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Our team at Specialized Mechanical would like to share the key features of each strategy to help you decide whether filtration or purification is best suited for your home.
Importance Of Air Filtration
Air filters are important to have in your home for a variety of reasons. They help keep pollutants like dust, pollen and smoke out of your home’s air. They can also catch larger debris that might cause problems for your HVAC system.
It’s important to check and maintain your air filters so that they are clean. If the air filter in your central air unit is dirty with debris and contaminants, it can lead to poor IAQ in your home. This can cause health and respiratory problems.
Dirty filters will also cause the unit to not work as effectively, putting more stress on the system which can be damaging to it.
What Is An Air Purifier?
An air purifier is an air cleaning device. It works by drawing in indoor air and passing it through a filter. The filter inside gathers pollutants and carries clean air back into the room.
There are some air purifiers that can remove specific contaminants such as dust, mold or pet dander. They also assist in filtering out smoke or unpleasant odors indoors. In a way, they work similarly to an HVAC system that has an air filter.
How Air Filters And Air Purifiers Compare
Air filters and purifiers have their similarities. Both improve the air quality in your home. The difference between an air purifier and a HVAC unit lies in the filters themselves. Air filters mostly filter out dust particles and other debris to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
While air purifiers serve a similar purpose, they have stronger filters, so they can provide cleaner air and remove odors. The result can improve respiratory health.
Can both an air filter and air purifier be used together? The answer is yes! When both are used together, air filters and air purifiers neutralize odors and smoke. This can provide a safer environment for those suffering from allergies and respiratory illnesses.
Different Kinds Of Air Filters
Now that you know the importance of both air filters and purifiers, you might be interested in investing in them. For starters, there isn’t just one kind of air filter out there, but actually several different kinds.
Air filters are best for whole home air filtration. They are placed into your HVAC system and are rated on the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) system. MERV ratings range from 1-20 and measure three things:
- The air filter’s ability to remove particles
- The air filter’s ability to resist airflow
- The filter’s working lifespan
Here are four types of air filters that you might choose to use for your home:
- Flat-panel fiberglass
- Pleated media
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
- Washable
HEPA pleated media filters are the best for filtering out harmful particles. Although, it’s worth considering the advantages that the other types of filters offer.
For example, flat-panel fiberglass filters are good for people who have no pets or respiratory issues, and washable filters are a great environmentally friendly option.
Air Purifiers As The Optimal Choice
Having an air purification system in the Carlsbad area is a great idea, especially with air pollutants and allergies in the spring and summer seasons. They can be used alone or alongside an air filter to help keep your indoor air quality protected.
What’s great about air purifiers is that there’s a wide range of sizes and prices available on the market to choose from. Once you purchase one, they don’t need any fancy installation. You just plug it into an electrical socket in your home, and you’re good to go.
Schedule Your Air Filtration System Installation In Carlsbad
After you pick out the best air filtration system for your home, the next steps may include installation. If you need help installing your new air filtration system, our team of professionals in the Carlsbad area are able to help you out. When you’re ready to invest in the improvement of the indoor air quality of your home, contact us to get started!
