Maybe you already know that you should replace the filter in your air conditioner every 1–3 months during periods of use. What you probably don’t know, however, is that this small maintenance task doesn’t do anything for your indoor air quality.
That’s right, your HVAC system air filter is there to protect the system itself from being pummeled by dust and other debris. When that air filter gets too clogged, it can block airflow and make your air conditioner work much harder (inefficiently so) to do its job. This is why we recommend changing it—or cleaning it, if you have a permanent filter—every 1–3 months.
“So, How Do I Protect My Indoor Air?”
As we alluded to above, a standard air filter alone won’t protect your household from the pollutants that irritate the sinuses and make allergies act up. What’s needed instead is the professional installation of a high-efficiency, whole-house residential air filtration system.
“Do I Really Need a Whole-House Air Filtration System?”
If any members of your home suffer from severe allergy symptoms or asthma, then yes we absolutely recommend this installation. In particular, we suggest the installation of a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which has the power to eliminate more contamination from the air you breathe every day than a standard air filter.
While we typically recommend you schedule this installation in early spring, before allergy season begins in earnest, it will benefit you regardless of when you get it.
“Can’t I Just Use One of Those Plug-In Air Purifiers?”
If you rely on an air conditioner during the summer months, like most Tacoma area residents, then we highly recommend the whole-house air filtration system.
The reason for this is because portable air filters or air purifiers are only capable of cleaning the air right next to the unit, but while using your air conditioner, air from throughout the home is constantly sucked into the HVAC system and pushed back into the home. This can send pollutants back into the air even as you run a portable air purifier. A whole-home system eliminates this problem.
Explore Your Options for Whole-House Air Cleaning
There are a number of options available for whole-house air cleaning. You may prefer another type of system besides a HEPA filter that doesn’t require much maintenance. Depending on how powerful it is, an air filtration system could even restrict airflow, and for this reason some homeowners instead choose to go the air purifier route.
Air purifiers use ionization to charge particulates, and will not get clogged up by dust and other debris. Rather, particles collect on plates within the system to be cleaned off by the homeowner.
One last option is the UV air purifier, also referred to as UV germicidal lights. This system is installed directly into your ductwork, and eliminates mold and mildew growth that occurs within it.
Contact Sound Heating today for reliable indoor air quality services and more, throughout the greater Tacoma area. We take your comfort as serious as you do.