When it comes to air filtration and purification, there are lots of options available to homeowners. There are portable single-room air purifiers, special air filters to replace your standard furnace filter and then the option of have a whole-house air cleaner installed in your HVAC system.
Single Room Purifiers
If you do not have a forced air furnace system in your home, single-room air purifiers are your only real option. These can be moved from room to room or you can purchase multiple units to filter and clean the air throughout your home. You will find some of these air purifiers use a HEPA filter and some do not. The HEPA filter types are definitely the preferable models. The filters for most of these portable purifiers need to be replaced annually, though some can be cleaned. The cost of the replacement filters can be significant and should be taken into consideration if making a comparison between a portable model and a whole house system.
Whole-house Air Filters
These are special filters to use in place of your standard furnace filters. They are considerably more expensive than a standard furnace filter. The filters must be replaced every few months, just as you would your standard furnace filter. Although they may provide some improvement to the air quality in your home, according to Consumer Reports, they are not near as affective as a built-in air cleaning unit or the portable room purifiers.
Built-in Whole-house Air Cleaners
Although the most expensive option, this is also the most affective means of removing dust, smoke, pollen and other allergens from the air in your home. They must be installed in your home’s ductwork by a heating professional and also wired into your homes electrical system.
