Whole-home air cleaners are an excellent option for many homes. How long installation takes can vary, but it’s worth the wait. The device can have wonderful short- and long-term benefits, including dramatically improving your indoor air quality. If you’re considering installing one at your home, it’s important to understand as much about it as possible so you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.
What Are Whole-Home Air Cleaners?
A whole-home air cleaner is a filtration system that’s integrated into your existing HVAC system. Its job is to clean the air that circulates through your house. The whole-home air cleaner removes as much dust, debris, pollutants, and contaminants as possible, both what you see and what you don’t.
How Do I Know It’s Working?
The best way to gauge how well it’s working is to assess your indoor air quality. Typically, when indoor air quality is poor, you’ll see a significant amount of dust flying through the air. You’ll notice less when the indoor air quality is good. One way to test this is to wipe down hard surfaces and vacuum soft furnishings every day after the whole-home air cleaner is installed. Take note of how much dust you see, especially in the days following the installation. If you’re noticing a huge decrease in dust, it’s a sign it’s working.
Additionally, you may notice your allergy or asthma symptoms improving. You may experience a reduction in sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and congestion, especially during high-allergen days when you would typically exhibit symptoms even while you’re inside your home.
What Do They Clean Out of the Air?
A whole-home air cleaner can remove a wide range of pollutants from the air, including dust and debris. It can also reduce all types of pollen, which is particularly beneficial during allergy season. Additionally, you may notice a reduction in small pesky insects, such as gnats, as they tend to get mixed in with all the dust on the filter. If you have pets, there may be a decrease in pet dander. Essentially, the whole-home air cleaner tries to remove as many different pollutants as possible from the air.
Can They Help Individuals With Certain Health Conditions?
Yes, they can help homeowners and fellow residents who have certain health conditions. It removes the pollen, dust, and pet dander that can cause issues ranging from watery eyes to sneezing. Individuals who have asthma may also experience relief. Additionally, people with sensitivities to certain products, such as cleaning supplies, perfume, and candles, might begin to feel more comfortable and less bothered when they’re around their usual triggers. People with lung conditions, such as COPD, can also find themselves breathing easier.
When Is the Best Time to Install a Whole-Home Air Cleaner?
Winter and summer are peak seasons for HVAC technicians, so consider installing the whole-home air cleaner during the spring or fall. This may grant you access to more appointments that complement your schedule. However, there’s no wrong time to install it. The faster you call us to put it in at your home, the sooner you’ll be able to take advantage of its benefits.
Do I Need to Replace Any Filters in the Whole-Home Air Cleaner?
Yes, it has a filter that will eventually need replacing, typically every 6 to 12 months. The frequency of replacement depends on several factors, including whether you have pets, use candles in your home, or smoke indoors. How often you dust also affects when the filter needs to be replaced. The more contaminants floating through the air, the more likely it is that your air filter will require more frequent changing. You can call us for service, and we can swap it out with a fresh one. When we initially install the system, we can advise you on how to keep the filter clean for as long as possible.
What’s the Lifespan of a Whole-Home Air Cleaner?
The whole-home air cleaner itself typically lasts approximately 5 to 10 years. Several factors influence its lifespan, including the quality of the installation and maintenance habits.
Do I Need a Professional Inspection for the Whole-Home Air Cleaner?
Yes, you need a professional inspection. Considering the filter needs changing every 6 to 12 months, you can schedule the appointment annually or biannually. In addition to changing the filter, we’ll also check various other areas of the device, including assessing its exterior to make sure there’s no physical damage.
Can I Install a Whole-Home Air Cleaner Myself?
We strongly advise against doing it yourself, as this is a job best left to the professionals. Our team has extensive experience with installing them and working efficiently and flawlessly without cutting corners. We can typically install it for you within one day.
Do Whole-Home Air Cleaners Only Clean the Air in Certain Rooms?
No, whole-home air cleaners are designed to clean the air throughout your house rather than only in certain rooms. This makes it easier to enjoy whole-home comfort and better indoor air quality in every room, whether you’re sleeping in a bedroom, eating dinner with your family in the kitchen, or lounging in the living room.
Can a Whole-Home Air Cleaner Only Clean Certain Rooms?
No, it can’t be altered to clean only certain rooms. A whole-home air cleaner is designed to work with your existing HVAC system and its ductwork. Wherever the ductwork goes is where the clean air will go.
Will the Indoor Air Quality Be the Same in All the Rooms?
No, it won’t be the same. Although the whole-home air cleaner operates with your HVAC system, what happens within each room will affect that room’s indoor air quality. For instance, a room where someone is constantly lighting candles may have a greater concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), just like a room where a dog spends most of its time will usually have more pet dander and fur. Additionally, air needs to flow freely without being obstructed by objects such as furniture. If an item, such as a couch, blocks a vent, it means the clean air can’t fully enter the room.
Will Using it Raise My Utility Costs?
A whole-home air cleaner operates on electricity. This means you may see a slight increase in your electric bill, but it typically won’t be by much. Look for devices that state they’re ENERGY STAR certified, which can help keep your bills as low as possible.
How Do I Choose the Right Whole-Home Air Cleaner?
You don’t have to choose a whole-home air cleaner yourself if you don’t want to. Our team can advise you on which option is best for your home, needs, and budget. If you prefer, we can make multiple recommendations so you can do your due diligence before ultimately choosing one.
A whole-home air cleaner can drastically improve your indoor air quality, especially if you have existing health conditions. Midway Heating Company in Clackamas, OR can install it for you, then follow up with maintenance and repair services as needed. Be sure to ask us about our Midway’s Comfort Club for all your maintenance needs!
Call us to schedule an appointment or book one online through our website.
