Air Cleaners
Are you considering installing an air cleaner in your home? Consider this: the EPA estimates that indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times worse than outdoors! This can be highly irritating to people with upper respiratory problems. If you want to provide your family with cleaner indoor air, call Michael Bonsby HVAC and ask about installing an air cleaner in your home.
How to choose an air cleaner
There are a number of different things to keep in mind when choosing an air cleaner.
Area coverage
Try to find an air cleaner that is rated for coverage greater than the square footage of your room. This will ensure that all of the air in your room gets cleaned with every air exchange.
Air changes per hour (ACH)
The ACH number informs you of how many times per hour the air purifier exchanges all of the air in a given room. Air cleaners with higher ACH are generally better, especially if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma.
Filter replacements
Most air cleaners have filters that need to be replaced regularly in order for the air cleaner to work. Find out how much replacement filters for the air cleaner cost, as well as how often they need to be replaced, before you buy your new air cleaner.
Noise level
Some air cleaners operate almost soundlessly - some do not. Ask for a demonstration of the air cleaner before you make your purchase to make sure the air cleaner's noise level is acceptable.
Energy usage
Air cleaners run continuously, so make sure you find one with a high efficiency rating to avoid large charges on your monthly energy bill.
Air cleaner repair
Problems with your air cleaner can directly affect the quality of the air you breathe. Don't let loose fans, dirty air filters or failing motors cause your indoor air to become unhealthy - if you need air cleaner repair, call Michael Bonsby HVAC. We can repair and service any brand of air cleaner so you can be sure the air in your home is pure and clean.
Types of air cleaner
There are several different types of air cleaners to choose from, all with their own advantages and disadvantages.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter air cleaners
HEPA filter air cleaners set the standard for air purification, removing at least 99.97% or all particles as small as .3 microns. They are highly effective at trapping pollen, pet dander, mold and dust. Unfortunately, since they trap so much, they need filter changing frequently.
Ion generator air cleaners
Ion generating air cleaners release ions into the air, which bond to impurities and force them to cling to a nearby surface. This method is highly effective for eliminating impurities in the air, but unfortunately it tends to leave dirty spots wherever it clings. Ion generating air cleaners also produce ozone, which can be a powerful lung irritant.
Charged media filter air cleaners
Charged media filter air cleaners operate roughly the same way ion generating air cleaners do, except that they collect particles on fiber filters instead of forcing them to stick to walls. This makes them less of a mess than ion generating air cleaners, but they also lose their efficiency very quickly and the filter much be changed frequently.
If you want to improve the air quality of your Maryland or Washington, DC home, call Michael Bonsby HVAC today. We can help you select the air cleaner that is right for your home and get you breathing air that is cleaner than the outside. We supply air cleaners from most major brands, and are an authorized dealer of American Standard Air Cleaners.
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