Why Your HVAC Filter Isn’t An Air Purifier

You already know that your HVAC unit has an air filter. Ideally every few months you trudge into the crawlspace or mechanical room, slide out the old nasty filter, and slide in a fresh filter. Obviously the filter is dirty so it is catching dirty things in the air. But is it actually cleaning the air of everything that could be harmful to your lungs? Just because a filter is dirty doesn't mean it is capturing everything necessary to protect your health. Don't confuse your home's HVAC filter with actual air purification.

 

What does your HVAC filter do?

The primary job of your HVAC filter is to protect the components inside the HVAC unit - components such as the blower motor, A/C evaporator coil, heat exchanger and the insides of the ductwork. Airborne junk like dust, lint, hair, dirt and more floating in the air can clog or otherwise damage the inside of an HVAC unit, causing issues over time. A dirty A/C evaporator coil or heat exchanger can't effectively transfer heat or cold to the passing air. This leads to higher energy bills, lower system airflow and even damage to other system components. Most HVAC systems use a MERV 8-rated filter, which does a decent job keeping the system clean but doesn't capture the tiny particles that are harmful to your health.

 

What does an air purifier do?

An air purifier is designed to do only one thing: purify the air passing through it. Every part is dedicated to cleaning the air. For portable units, the fan motor and fan blades are designed to work with the filter media. This helps the unit operate efficiently and ensures that the fan motor is not overloaded. An air purifier may also include a VOC (volatile organic compound) filter, which removes harmful gases and odors from the air. Intellipure air purifiers are designed to be airtight and sealed so that all the air moving through the machine is cleaned.

 

Can I just put a better filter in my HVAC unit?

The answer is yes and no. Technically, you can put a higher MERV-rated filter into an HVAC unit. But the blower motor will have to work harder to pull air through it. This may also mean lower airflow throughout the entire system, leading to uneven heating and cooling. Most HVAC filter housings are not designed to effectively seal the filter around the edges, leading to air filter bypass. Using a higher MERV-rated filter is pointless if the air just goes around it. So while a higher MERV filter may fit in the physical HVAC unit, it isn't always a good fit for the system overall.

 

Truly clean air needs an air purifier

If indoor air quality is a concern, then a specifically designed air purifier is the answer. Either a portable unit or an incorporated whole-house unit can efficiently remove harmful chemicals, dust, pollen, and other contaminants. Intellipure's H1000 air purifier is perfect for the bedroom, nursery, or any other room up to 2200 square feet.