For those with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, a whole-house air purifier can be a great investment. Installing an HVAC air cleaner can help reduce symptoms by removing pollutants from the air. But is it worth it? If clean air is a priority, then the answer is yes. For people with chronic respiratory issues, installing an air purifier should be a top consideration.
Portable air purifiers can be placed in rooms where odors come from, while the HVAC air purifier cleans the air in the rest of your home. Central air purification systems are installed in your ducts and can remove dust, mold, bacteria, and viruses from the air circulating through your HVAC system. The most common places to install a whole-home air purifier are the attic, basement, utility room, ceiling, or roof. The main benefit of these systems is that they provide clean air throughout the house with one device.
They can also be connected to ducts to trap particles before they enter your home. Depending on the technology used, HVAC air cleaners are very good at removing dust, small insects and insect body parts, pollen, and larger particles from indoor air. Even if no one in your household has allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce symptoms related to poor indoor air quality. Many of these systems also contain electrostatic fields to capture microscopic particles, including viruses.
If you're concerned about odors and hazardous gas emissions in your home, the best option would be to place a portable air purifier in rooms where such pollutants are a problem. As with mechanical air purifiers, electronic models only filter air when the HVAC system is operating. The EPA suggests removing mold or other sources first and then testing an air purifier or high-MERV filter system if removing contaminants is ineffective or not possible. Air purifiers can neutralize some of the threat posed by air pollution and indoor activities.
For gas and odors, a portable air purifier will provide the best performance.
