4 Questions to Ask When Buying an Air Purification System

Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. In some areas, indoor air may even be more polluted than the air outside! MTB Mechanical works with homeowners all over Charlotte to implement clean air solutions, from whole-home purification systems to upgraded HVAC filters.When you’re ready to purchase an indoor air purification system, where do you start? Your MTB Mechanical technician will be happy to talk to you about your options. Here are a few questions to ask to ensure you’re making a well-informed decision:
1. What kind of pollutants does this purifier remove?
Did you know there are different kinds of pollutants? There are actually several categories of pollutants, from particulate matter (i.e. dust, pollen, pet dander) to gaseous pollutants (i.e. gas, smoke, pesticides). Some air purification systems are designed to handle both while others are made specifically for one type of pollutant. For the most part, homeowners should mostly be concerned about particle removal, because fine particulates are generally what cause issues like allergies and asthma flare ups.
2. How does it remove them?
Air purifiers work in different ways. Particle filtration systems work by effectively removing particles from the air, preferably before it’s ever even blown through the home’s HVAC system. Most air purifiers utilize mechanical filtration, which captures particulates through filters. HEPA filters and electrostatic air cleaners both trap particles before they can ever be inhaled on filters that can easily be changed out. If gaseous pollution is a problem, gas-phase air filters might be a good solution. These use a “sorbent” material (such as carbon) to absorb harmful gases in the air.
Some air filtration systems don’t just filter particulates, they actually destroy them. UVGI filters use ultraviolet radiation to kill bacteria and viruses. PCO cleaners destroy gaseous pollutants by using UV light to transform them into harmless products.
3. How much air does the purification system cover?
Not all air purification systems are created equal. You can, of course, buy a portable air purifier that employs some of these techniques to clean the air immediately surrounding it. These are effective for smaller spaces and/or individual rooms, but many homeowners decide that a whole-home purification system is the best bet. In these cases, solutions such as media air cleaners, whole-home humidifiers, and UV light systems typically offer the most return-on-investment. For an air purification system to cover the whole home, it must work in tandem with your HVAC system.
4. What are my maintenance requirements?
No one wants an air purifier they have to clean out every day. Once you’ve decided on a specific system, talk to the technician about its maintenance requirements. Will you be changing a filter? How often? Where do you change it, and where can you get the filters? Does the system require water? How do you change the water? Will you need to replace the light bulbs in your system over time? How do you tell if it’s working efficiently? The right air filtration product for your home is the one that makes sense for your lifestyle.
Ready to talk about your options for better indoor air? Call the team at MTB Mechanical today to find out more about the air you breathe.