While an HVAC system offers some air filtration, it doesn’t filter out every particle of dust, pollen, or pet dander. Mold spores, smoke, odors, and other pollutants and potential toxins may exist in your indoor air, where they can be many times more concentrated than outdoors. An air purifier can remove these and improve comfort, help alleviate allergies, and reduce the risk of respiratory and other illnesses. In this article, we will answer the question, “How do air purifiers work?” to show you their potential benefits.
An air purifier is an appliance that sucks in air via a fan and re-circulates it in a cleaner form. It can have one or multiple filters. These filters can be made of paper, fiberglass, or mesh. Some filters must be replaced as they fill up, while others are reusable and washable (however, they require substantial maintenance, but are effective at removing larger particles).
Filtration is an important aspect of air purifiers, but a purifier is much more than a filter. Some models act as air sanitizers as well. For example, air particles can be neutralized when ultraviolet light (UV) filters are integrated into the unit. UV light can destroy bacteria, mold, and other biological impurities. Without a special filter or sanitizing system, an air purifier will struggle to trap particles much smaller than 5 microns in size (high-efficiency filters can remove particles as small as 2.5 microns).1
*While coronavirus (COVID-19) particles measure about 0.1 microns, they’re usually bound to water droplets, aerosols, and other larger particles, so can be removed by air purifiers.
A standard air filter struggles to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, and other gases. Off gassing from household cleaning products, paints, and adhesives isn’t captured by most air purifiers either. That’s unless a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is used. It’s made of fine fiberglass threads and is pleated and sealed in a frame made of plastic or metal.
HEPA filters capture particles of various sizes, including VOCs, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide when used in combination with UV light and air scrubbers.
But an air purifier won’t remove or neutralize particles stuck to walls (and other hard surfaces) or sitting on carpeting, furniture, bedding, and other soft surfaces.
When asking, “How do air purifiers work?” and deciding on the best one for your home, it’s also important to consider the following:
Nexgen offers three different types of air purifiers. These include filter-based systems with electrically charged flat filters to capture large particles, extended media filters that remove dust and debris, and ultraviolet filters. In addition, we offer duct-based air purification systems designed to filter impurities from air as it passes through air ducts. Lastly, our stand-alone systems install in a closet or attic and are connected to your HVAC system via air intakes. Our licensed technicians can perform any installation for you, while your budget and air quality needs are addressed as part of our X protects standard.
To learn more or have an X-purification system installed in your home, contact Nexgen HVAC & Plumbing at 833-729-9735 today!
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