Can an Air Purifier Work for a Whole House?

Whole house air purifiers can be an effective solution for polluted indoor air throughout the home. Learn more about how these systems work and how they can help protect your family from outdoor pollutants.

Can an Air Purifier Work for a Whole House?

Whole house air purifiers can be an effective solution to the problem of polluted indoor air throughout the home. Instead of addressing the issue room by room, these systems install directly into your existing HVAC system and work to remove contaminants such as pollen, dust, VOCs, and more. There are several types of whole-house air purification systems, each with its own unique method of purifying the air. If your home doesn't have air conditioning or central heating, portable air cleaners are the most practical option.

Whole house air purifiers require professional installation and are connected to your HVAC system. When the system is turned on, the air cleaner works to filter out pollutants. According to the EPA Home Air Cleaner Guide, HVAC systems only operate about 25 percent of the time during heating and cooling seasons. Running the fan or running heating and cooling longer can increase electricity costs.

These systems project a wider network that can filter indoor air pollution and help your family avoid respiratory irritants. Unlike portable air purifiers that take up space and you can easily tell when they hum in the background, whole-house air purifiers are devices out of sight and don't add additional obstacles to your home. Any air leaks as a result of a poor installation will frustrate the purpose of your air cleaner, regardless of how it is installed in your HVAC system. Ultraviolet light is one method used by whole-house air purifiers to eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses.

Hospitals use UV air filters in TB wards for this purpose. It is almost impossible to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of whole-house air purifiers because there are many variables that affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the purifier, such as the design and size of the ducts in your home, the number and location of return air grilles, the HVAC equipment already installed, and the conditions (by example, a lot of dust, a lot of pets, or mold problems) that the purifier might need to treat. Your first line of defense for clean air in your home is the basic air filter integrated into your air conditioning and heating system. If you want whole-home coverage, your best option is a whole-house air purifier, but only if you have a central air conditioning or HVAC system.

If you have asthmatics, people with odor sensitivity, or anyone who reacts to poor air quality in your home, it's best to use portable air purifiers in your home as they will provide you with the best performance when it comes to removing the finest air particles and smallest odor and gas molecules. To protect your home and family from outdoor air pollutants and natural disasters this fall, find a professional in your area today to discover how AprilAir fresh air ventilation, air filtration and humidity control solutions can help. With proper installation and maintenance of a whole-house air purifier, you can ensure that your family is breathing clean indoor air all year round.

Irene Rosenzweig
Irene Rosenzweig

Infuriatingly humble web aficionado. Hipster-friendly pizza ninja. Proud food scholar. Extreme tv aficionado. Certified social media specialist.