In short, it depends on what you are trying to achieve or alleviate. For people with severe allergies, HEPA filters can help trap pet dander and other larger allergens. If you're simply trying to freshen up your air, the price may not be worth it. In other words, air purifiers are not a cure for everyone.
Pleated filters are made of folded cotton or polyester fabrics. They can filter dust and other basic contaminants, but offer only low filtration. More folds provide more coverage for contaminants such as dandruff and mold, but limit airflow. When it comes to knowing if you need a new air filter, don't trust your eyes; trust your calendar. Air purifiers look great on paper, but are they really worth it? The answer is yes.
Air purifiers are a must for any home. Every piece of pollen, dust, dander, hair, mold, bacteria or mold that a filter traps is one less thing that you and your family breathe. Every time you clean a dirty air filter, remember that everything it traps could have ended up in your lungs. Is it worth installing an HVAC air purifier? If breathing clean air is a priority for you, then it certainly is. For allergy sufferers and asthmatics and people with chronic respiratory problems, installing an air purifier should be an even more important consideration.
Whole house air purifiers, on the other hand, require professional installation. If they are connected to your HVAC system, they will only filter the air when your air conditioning or heating system is turned on, or when the fan is running. According to the EPA Home Air Cleaner Guide, HVAC systems only operate about 25 percent of the time during heating and cooling seasons. Running the fan or running heating and cooling longer can increase electricity costs. Whether you need an air purifier or a new air conditioner, look no further than Reliable Heating & Air Conditioner.
Assuming your home has forced air, hire a trained professional to inspect the entire system, including equipment and ducts, says Travis Jackson, an expert in heating, cooling and air purification in Warrenton, Virginia. Models that include germicidal UV lamp technology to irradiate bacteria and mold spores into the air stream or filter cost even more; however, once again, there is a lack of research to show that they work. Basic filters, such as pleated, electrostatic, washable, or spun glass filters, should be replaced every month or 90 days. If you have any allergies or health problems, you should seriously consider an additional air purifier for the main rooms of your home. A good home air purifier will help you breathe better, giving you the ability to relax and enjoy your home instead of worrying about what you breathe. This allows for fresher, healthier indoor air that neutralizes odors and promotes better respiratory health.
An HVAC professional like those at Arista Air can help you determine when your filters need to be replaced, based on your equipment and your air quality challenges.HVAC UV Light Air Purifier/Ultraviolet technology is often used in conjunction with HEPA air purifiers. Indoor air can be two to five times dirtier than outdoor air, so it makes sense that interest in air purifiers would increase in winter when cold weather keeps us indoors with windows closed. Electrostatic Air Cleaners Many HVAC air purifiers also contain electrostatic fields to capture microscopic particles including viruses. Because the health benefits of using air purifiers vary from person to person and depend on the types of pollutants in your home it's ultimately your decision if an air purifier is worth paying for and using. An object cleaner placed next to the air conditioner coil a dark moist breeding ground for mold and bacteria floods the area with ultraviolet light and kills organisms before they can enter the ventilation system.
While they are excellent at sterilizing the air of living organisms they cannot filter the air for more common pollutants such as dust allergens or smoke.
Conclusion
Air purifiers are worth investing in if breathing clean air is important to you. HEPA filters are great for trapping pet dander and other allergens while electrostatic fields capture microscopic particles like viruses. However basic filters should be replaced every month or 90 days depending on their type.If you have any allergies or health problems consider getting an additional air purifier for the main rooms of your home.