How to Choose the Right Air Cleaner for Your Home

If you’re struggling with the indoor air quality in your Riverside, CA home, then an air cleaner may be a possible solution for you. It’s a supercharged filtration system that captures dust and pollen, as well as microscopic germs. The products that we install remove particles as small as one-tenth of a micron without slowing the airflow or making your HVAC system work harder. Consider the following things before buying an air cleaner:

Does the Air Cleaner Have a Certification?

Look for filtration cabinets that are independently tested and certified by industry groups. For example, Trane’s CleanEffects system has earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly™ product certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This product has been tested by third-party indoor air quality experts, and the results have been reviewed by Harvard scientists.

What are the Germicidal Capabilities?

Allergens come in all shapes and sizes. Pollen and dust are relatively large and easy to remove, but smoke and biological contaminants can sneak through standard filters. That’s why most air purifiers electronically charge incoming particles so that they’re forced to bind with the filtration media. This technology also disables microbes to create a healthier indoor environment.

What are the MERV and CADR Ratings?

Most filters are classified by their minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). However, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) gives you more information. This number measures the amount of clean air produced. For perspective, a standard 1-inch filter has a CADR of 12 cubic feet per minute. The CleanEffects system has a CADR of 1,200, which makes it 100 times more effective.

Where Do I Want My Air Cleaner?

If you spend most of your time in your bedroom, then you should put your portable air cleaner there. If there are multiple rooms in your room that need TLC, then you should buy multiple air cleaners. On the other hand, you can decide to buy a unit that has wheels so you can transport it from one room to the next. If a portable unit doesn’t fit your needs, then choose a whole-house unit. You can connect it to your HVAC system so that you can purify the air in every room in your home, while your HVAC system heats or cools your home.

How Often Do I Need to Clean the Filter?

An air cleaner uses disposable filters that must be replaced annually. As a Trane Comfort Specialist, we’re pleased to install air purifiers that feature reusable filters. This reduces the cost of ownership, prevents waste and simplifies maintenance. All you have to do is vacuum the pre-filter and collection cells periodically.

Enjoying healthy and clean indoor air has never been this easy. If you’re interested in a whole-house filtration system, call Hush Air Heating & Air Conditioning today. You can also view our selection of indoor air quality products online.

Originally published in July 2018, updated in March 2020