Most people think that thick smog and black smoke constitute air pollution. However, these clear indicators aren’t the only symptoms of poor air quality. As a matter of fact, pollution isn’t that obvious most of the time. Most indoor air pollutants are invisible and small. They are around us. Therefore, homeowners must be proactive in maintaining good indoor air quality. They should be armed with practical solutions for this problem. For example, many use either portable or whole-house air filtration systems. Both options have their pros and cons. Keep reading to learn more about portable vs whole home air filtration.
The Difference Between a Portable & Whole-home Air Filtration System
Contents
- 1 The Difference Between a Portable & Whole-home Air Filtration System
- 2 Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
The pandemic has made us realize how important clean air is. We are more conscious of invisible dangers now. It is better to start doing something about it now than not at all. Prevent problems in the future by installing an air filter in your home. This article discusses two of the most popular options – portable and whole-home filters. We also discuss how they operate, the advantages of clean air, and essential insights from this information.
The Benefits of Clean Air In Your Home
Here are a few benefits of having clean and healthy air in your home:
Lower Risk of Disease
Pathogens can get inside our bodies via the air we breathe. These bacteria and viruses are highly toxic, so you should avoid them no matter what. Advanced air filters can keep microscopic particles from getting distributed around your home. You don’t need to worry about vulnerable family members, like the elderly, the children, and the frail. Keep everybody safe while shielding your pockets from expensive hospital bills.
Related Article: 9 Ways You Can Improve Indoor Air Quality During Winter
Keep Allergies at Bay
Airborne particles may trigger allergies in susceptible people. Common allergens include mold spores, pollen, dander, and dust mites. These allergens can latch onto shoes and clothes to get inside your home. They can also enter via cracks and gaps. This may lead to allergic reactions like sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy, and nasal congestion. Install an air filter to begin feeling better and do more work.
Reduce Surface Dust
Not all the dust around your home is inhaled. Some eventually fall on surfaces such as countertops, tables, desks, carpets, and hard floors. They are unattractive to look at and unwanted in homes. We’ll need to clean often because of the dust accumulation. The dust build-up getting disturbed means they swirl back in the air and irritate the home occupants. Filtration systems can purify the air, so less dust circulates inside. Dust build-up on the surface won’t be as bad as before, so there’s no need to clean inside your home frequently.
Related Article: Are Your Indoor Air Quality Standards Up To Par In Your Hamilton Home?
Eliminate Foul Odors
No person wants to live in a smelly home. You can’t just turn off your nose because you need to breathe in oxygen to function. If you constantly inhale foul odors, deal with the sources directly. Wipe dirty areas and get rid of bacteria by using non-toxic cleaning solutions. Another solution is to use air filtration systems to capture the particles causing the smell so your home smells fresh.
What Are Whole-home Air Filtration Systems?
As the name suggests, whole-home filters are designed to cover your entire house. They are bigger than portable ones, so they are fixed on the place they are installed. They have a central unit going through the air from the return ductwork. These filters typically work hand-in-hand with the HVAC system, capturing the pollutants passing through the regular filters. Whole-house filters have as much as ten times the surface of standard HVAC filters to achieve better protection. Besides the physical barrier, you can also install a UV light that can kill pathogens upon contact. This is a better solution to portable air filters because it is more effective at catching pollutants.
Related Article: Do You Believe These Indoor Air Quality Myths?
How Do Whole-house Air Purifiers Work?
There are three different designs to whole-home air purifiers. Several have filter-based units placed at air intake sites. Others are installed along the ductwork, after or before the air handler in a central HVAC unit. There are also standalone systems that can work on their own. They are typically installed in attics with the intake and exhaust ducts placed around the home. These systems are undoubtedly complex, so you require a professional to install them. This will ensure the systems have optimal efficiency and performance.
What Are Portable Air Filtration Systems?
A portable air filter is a small and light device you can move from one room to the next. This is a good solution if you want a machine that can follow you around. Remember that its filtration capacity is limited, so set your expectations accordingly. It will only have an effect on a specific number of square feet. The best air filters are equipped with quality HEPA filters which can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles bigger than 0.3 microns. It’s an excellent feature because human hair has a diameter of 50 microns, so imagine how efficient these systems are.
Cons Of Portable Room Purifiers
Here are some disadvantages of portable room purifiers:
- Limited Coverage: Consider your purchase plans. Portable air filtration systems are cheaper but far less capable than whole-home systems. The latter system is a more sensible option if you want to protect your whole family.
- Multiple Units Needed: You can cover your whole home with several portable units, but the purchase cost will quickly add up with this strategy. The total cost likely matches or is even greater than buying a whole-home filter. Therefore, you won’t save much money.
- Potential Ozone Emissions: Portable room purifiers may emit gasses harmful to the ozone layer. It relies on the system’s filtration method. Ensure you check this, so you don’t become an unknowing contributor to this environmental issue.
- No Odor Absorption: Whole-home filters can absorb odor-causing particles in the ducts so the foul smell doesn’t get to you. This ability is lost when you use portable units. The foul odor will reach your home before the portable filter can even start reducing the irritant.
Related Article: Get A Whole-Home Humidifier For Your Hamilton Home
Conclusion
Clean air is undoubtedly important because it impacts our health and well-being. Get a reliable filtration system to protect your family from ailments and allergies. Whole-home filtration systems are more effective than their portable counterparts. To achieve optimum performance, be sure to hire professional installers.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning provides outstanding heating and cooling services in the Greater Princeton, NJ area. Our company has the best professionally certified HVAC contractors who can do remarkable HVAC services, including air conditioning maintenance, furnace repairs, mini-split installations, and more. Each of our techs has the experience, skills, and knowledge to conduct accurate services to any HVAC system.
Are you looking for the area’s most affordable heating and cooling service rates? Look no further than PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. Our tune-up services can increase indoor air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency while lowering home heating and cooling expenses. We can suggest the best, budget-friendly solutions if you need an HVAC repair or replacement system. Your satisfaction is important to us, so all our work is guaranteed. Give PFO Heating & Air Conditioning a call today and receive a free, in-home estimate.
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