Air Cleaners
A whole-house air cleaner, also called a whole-house air purifier, is a filtration system installed in your HVAC ductwork that cleans the air throughout your entire home, not just the space near your furnace. It does more than catch visible dust. This kind of indoor air quality (IAQ) system removes tiny allergens, helps neutralize airborne germs, and keeps the air in your home fresh in every room.
Signs Your Home Could Use an Air Cleaner
Not sure whether a whole-house air cleaner is worth it? If a few of these sound familiar, you may benefit from an air cleaner.
An air cleaner only reaches its rated performance when it is matched to your system and installed correctly in your ductwork. Airtek Of York County handles the fit and setup so airflow stays strong and your heating and cooling equipment stays protected. Learn more about our indoor air quality specialists.
MERV Ratings and Airflow
When you shop for a whole-house air cleaner, you will run into a few industry ratings that describe how well a filter traps particles and how much it slows down your airflow. Knowing these terms helps you pick a filter that cleans the air well without overworking your system's blower.
What MERV Ratings Mean
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the national scale that measures how well a filter captures particles between 0.3 and 10 microns in size. The higher the MERV number, the smaller the particles the filter can trap.
For most homes, MERV 11 to 13 is the most common range, giving strong filtration without straining a standard system.
MERV 16 is the practical ceiling for residential filtration. True HEPA filtration, the standard used in hospitals, surgical suites, and clean rooms, captures even smaller particles, but it needs a dedicated bypass system rather than a standard filter slot.
Balancing Filtration and Airflow
A common worry when moving to a higher-efficiency filter is air resistance, which the industry calls static pressure. A thin 1-inch filter with a high MERV rating can act like a brick wall in your ductwork, choking off airflow and making your system freeze up or overheat.
Whole-house air cleaners solve this with deep, pleated filter media, usually 4 to 5 inches thick. All that extra folded surface area gives the air far more room to pass through, so the air cleaner can hit a high MERV rating (11 to 16) while airflow stays strong and smooth across your equipment.
Comparing Air Cleaner Technologies
MERV ratings describe filter media, but that is only one type of whole-house air cleaner. Most homes choose from four approaches, and many combine them. Here is how they compare.
| Technology | How It Works | Best At Removing | Upkeep | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media Filter | Air passes through thick, folded filter media that traps particles as they go by. | Dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores (rated by MERV). | Replace the filter every 6 to 12 months. | Most homes wanting strong, all-around filtering. |
| Electronic Air Cleaner | Gives particles an electrical charge so they cling to a collector cell or charged pad. | Very fine particles, smoke, and some odors. | Wash the collector cells or swap the pad on a regular schedule. | Homes dealing with smoke or fine-dust concerns. |
| Germicidal UV Light | Shines UV-C light on the coil and passing air to disrupt living organisms. | Mold, bacteria, and viruses (it does not trap dust). | Replace the UV bulb about once a year. | Adding germ control alongside a filter, not instead of one. |
| Ionization & Oxidation | Adds charged ions or oxidizers to the airstream that clump particles together and break down odors and germs. | Odors, airborne chemicals (VOCs), and germs, and it helps filters catch finer dust. | Replace the ionizer needles or catalyst cell on the manufacturer's schedule. | Layering extra odor and germ control onto a filter. |
Germicidal UV works best paired with a good filter rather than on its own. Learn more on our UV air treatment page.
Our Air Cleaning Products
Want to compare specific systems? Here are the air quality products Airtek Of York County installs and services:
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Cleaners
Air Purification Product Offering
Tempstar Air PurifierView Brochure |
|---|
| Model Family: DGAPA |
| Filter efficiency: Captures 95% of particles |
| Germicidal rate: Inactivates 99% of select virus and bacteria |
| Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration (excludes filter replacements) |
Manufacturer's Stated Benefits:
|
Carbon Air Purifier with UVView Brochure |
|---|
| Model Family: UVCAP |
| Filter efficiency: The carbon core helps address the reduction of common, unwanted, and potentially harmful household gases and odors |
| Germicidal rate: Helps reduce harmful household gases, odors, and microorganisms |
| Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration |
Manufacturer's Stated Benefits:
|
EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter |
|---|
| Model Family: EZXCAB |
| Filter efficiency: Captures dust and debris to protect your HVAC system and enhance indoor air quality |
| Germicidal rate: MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 options available |
| Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration (excludes filter replacements) |
Manufacturer's Stated Benefits:
|