4 Things to Consider When Choosing an Air Cleaner or Purifier

Even in the fall, warm and humid weather in Sumter, SC, may demand some kind of air treatment in your home. Whether to select an air purifier or air cleaner depends on your needs. This guide explains four important factors to consider when you’re deciding which one is right for your home.

1. Differences Between Air Cleaners and Air Purifiers

People sometimes use these terms interchangeably, but there are certain differences. Both devices remove impurities, but while an air cleaner filters the air, an air purifier sanitizes it, removing particles including:

  • Pet dander
  • Dust and dust mites
  • Pollen
  • Smoke
  • Biological contaminants

2. Room Size

An air purification system works in a single room. An air cleaner is a whole-home solution, which you can have a professional install directly into your HVAC system, with an air filter to trap large particles.

3. Pollutants

An air cleaner filters pollution from smoke, VOCs or other gases. An air purifier zaps viruses and other pathogens that make people sick or trigger allergic reactions.

Bacterial growth and spores resulting from moisture can also cause respiratory illnesses. While an air cleaner can filter out spores, an air purifier deactivates them.

4. Air Treatment Technology

A HEPA filter is great for filtering small particles, but for smoke or VOCs, you need an active carbon filter. For spores, you need a UV sterilizer. An air cleaner always has a filter. An air purifier, however, may use UV light, an ionic or electrostatic filter or both to trap particles as well as pathogens and gases.

Contact our professional team at Air Solutions Heating and Cooling for all your indoor air quality needs in Sumter, SC. Whether you need an air cleaner, air purifier or both, our staff technicians have the solution that will work best for you and your home.

Image provided by iStock

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