Find Out Which Air Purification System Works Best in Winter

In winter, we typically close up our home and turn on the heating system when temperatures drop. While this can help keep dust out, the indoor air quality may deteriorate due to lack of ventilation. Pollutants such as viruses, mold, bacteria, pet dander, and insect particles may build up at an alarming rate. Stale indoor air can make us sick with colds and flu and/or aggravate allergies. Furthermore, pollutants may trigger asthma attacks or worsen respiratory infections.

What should you do about winter air purification? Your HVAC system can clean indoor air to some degree, as long as you use a quality, pleated air filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of between 8 and 12, and you change the filter when it’s dirty to promote good airflow. What’s more, this type of mechanical filtration is only good for certain types of pollutants that are drawn into the system with the return air. Your home may require additional air purification to ensure that the pollutants the HVAC missed get taken up. Read on to learn about some other types of purifiers that may take care of winter air purification.

UVGI filtration.

This type of filtration consists of bright ultraviolet bulbs installed in the HVAC that interfere with the reproduction of mold spores. These lights do a good job killing mold spores and viruses that are too small for the mechanical type of filters to catch.

HEPA air purifiers.

HEPA filters are generally too dense to be used in your HVAC system without extensive modification, so you might find a stand-alone HEPA air purifier to be a good choice. HEPA filters can remove up to 99% or more of particles larger than 0.2 microns, including pollen, dander, mold, and dust.

Ionic air purifiers.

These quiet air purifiers emit negative ions, which bond with positively charged airborne particles so that they fall out of the air. Some types have electrostatic precipitators that trap particles to a metal plate. Ionic air purifiers may be portable, but some types can be installed in the HVAC system for winter air purification.

Need a consultation on winter air purification? Contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company of Yuma.