Poor air quality is quite common in homes across the country. Though many homeowners do not know it, their home’s air is often infested with microscopic pollutants. Dust, mold, pollen, insect dander, viruses, bacteria, and many more contaminants are circulated throughout the house every time the heating or air conditioning is turned on. These pollutants can cause allergy attacks, illnesses, and all sorts of other nasty symptoms when they come in contact with the home’s occupants. So, what can be done about it? If you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality, you’ll need an air cleaner. Let’s examine which one would best fit your needs.
Mechanical Air Filters
Mechanical air filters are the simplest type of air cleaner available. They are comprised of a woven mesh, usually of fiberglass, stretched over a metal or plastic frame and inserted into your home’s air ducts. These filters are finely woven enough to catch a lot of the dust and debris common to a home’s ductwork, while allowing air to pass through them relatively unobstructed. Some of these filters, like HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, are woven so tightly that they can even catch viruses and bacteria. Those filters are usually reserved for use in hospitals and the like, however, and are probably overkill for simple home use.
Ionization Air Purifiers
Ionization air purifiers are a lot more complex than mechanical air filters, though they have a few distinct advantages. Basically, a whole-house ionization purifier works by generating an electrical field around itself. As air passes through this field, the particles it carries receive a negative electric charge. These negatively-charged particles are then attracted to the positively charged metal plates inside the purifier. After the plates collect enough particles, they can be removed and cleaned. Ionization purifiers can capture a lot of airborne pollutants and contaminants. However, they do require a bit more maintenance than a simple mechanical filter.
If you’d like to know more about your air cleaner options, call Downtown Air & Heat. We install and maintain air cleaners throughout Orlando, FL.
