Air filters and air purifiers can be an important part of your indoor air quality, which in turn affects the health of you, your HVAC equipment and your family. If you care about your family, you should think about the air quality in your home. Some people think that the air quality is beyond their control, like it’s the allergy season, or wild fires, or kids bringing flue from school. Believe me, this is something you can control.

Allergies, cooking odors, pet odors, seasonal flu or other seasonal allergies – all these could be proactively controlled through your HVAC system. When used properly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space. 

There are different types of air filters available. Let’s discuss pros and cons of each one.

One-inch filters. The very basic filter, low-end and cheapest one. This is the less efficient filter.

Pleated 6-9 MERV filters. More thicker and will catch more particulates, but can often cause your HVAC system work harder to properly move the air. As a result, you can expect more wear and tear on equipment and higher utility bills.

Media filters or HEPA filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air.  These filters must stop 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns in size in order to comply with HEPA standards. There is variety of brands, and MERV rating will also very between 11-16 MERV.  These filters would cost more, but a standard MERV 11 filter should be changed once a year, while cheaper filters require the replacement few times a year.

Electronic filters. These filters are incorporated into the ductwork. As air passes through, a high-voltage current puts an electrical charge on particles. At the other end of the unit, oppositely charged collector plates grab the particles like a magnet.  Unlike media filters, electronic filters never need replacing, but the aluminum collector plates must be cleaned in soapy water every few months. 

Air scrubbers. While an air purifier is limited to airborne particles, air scrubbers use germicidal UV light waves coupled with a catalytic process to attack germs and other particles while they are still in the air or on surfaces like doorknobs and countertops. By helping to rid your home of a wide variety of germs and allergens, air scrubbers can help reduce allergy and asthma-related symptoms and improve your family’s quality of life.

Poor indoor air quality can pose a threat to you and your family’s well-being. Thankfully, air filters and scrubbers help clean your space so you can breathe, sleep and live easier.

Interested in having a home air purification system installed in your home? Not sure which product is best for you? Contact our indoor air quality experts today!

Galaxy Services is your local resource for expert HVAC repair and installation. We serve customers throughout Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Call 925-233-7378 or contact us online to schedule your service.