Why You Should Use an Air Conditioner with an Air Purifier

UV air purifier for HVAC
Professional repairman installing air conditioner in a room

In any home, heating and cooling are necessary because they allow maximum comfort depending on the season. An air conditioner will be crucial during hot days because it supplies cold air. While an AC alone is usually more than enough, air quality is also a concern. For this reason, air purifiers are also used.

Air purifiers are designed to eliminate airborne contaminants such as dust and pollen. There are several types of air purifiers, depending on the strength. When used with an AC, air purifiers help eliminate particles that go into the ventilation ducts and impair the efficiency of the AC. In other words, both of them will be more effective, and indoor air quality will be excellent. However, not many people believe this, so we’ll discuss how using both can improve your home’s air quality.

How Air Conditioners Work

In a cool room, air conditioners get warm air from the inside and send it outside through vents. Inside the system, cool air is then blasted into the room. The AC works by pulling in warm air and blowing out cooler air.

In heating and cooling, the cooled air goes through a series of filters that remove dirt that may have been picked up. Dust, pollen, and other contaminants are caught in the filters and kept out of the AC. However, if you have an air purifier, you’ll have another line of defense against air pollution.

There are three primary types of household air conditioners:

Central Air Conditioner

This type of AC may be used in large commercial buildings, but smaller models are found in homes. A central AC unit is mounted in the ceiling or wall. It has ducts that go to air vents in the room and outside.

Window Air Conditioner

Buy a window unit if there isn’t room for a large central AC unit. This small unit sits in a window and gets cold air from outside. It has an exhaust hose that goes out.

Portable Air Conditioner

Portable ACs are like a mini version of central air units, but they’re smaller, lighter, and more affordable. They’re also less expensive to run than central ACs. However, portable ACs do not come with ducts like central ACs. You’ll need to install ducts or vents if you want to direct the airflow.

Can Air Conditioner Filters Trap Pollutants?

Air Conditioner

Air conditioner filters are designed to trap particles and remove contaminants. However, they aren’t as effective as other models of air purifiers. If a room has a lot of pollution, including smoke or pollen, the AC alone may not be enough to clean it up.

However, an air purifier can make the AC more effective. One way is to use an air purifier designed to be used with an AC. These purifiers have a specific filter that traps particles as they come through the AC.

Upgrading Your HVAC Filter

HVAC Filter

You should upgrade your AC filter every few months. This will help protect the AC from dirt and other pollutants. However, you may want to buy a HEPA filter to get the most out of your AC and air purifier. These filters are a bit more expensive, but they’re more efficient and will remove almost all particles from the air.

Some people buy an extra filter and put the HEPA filter in their AC to have another line of defense against pollutants. You can also upgrade your AC filter by buying a washable air filter.

How Air Purifiers Work

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are designed to clean the air by eliminating pollutants. They do this by filtering and cleaning the air before it’s released into the room. They work by cycling air through a series of filters and trapping impurities.

There are several kinds of air purifiers, including:

HEPA Air Purifiers

These are considered the best air purifiers for removing airborne contaminants. As the name suggests, they use a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter that traps and captures particles. HEPA air purifiers are sold for use with ACs.

UV Light Air Purifiers

Ultraviolet light purifiers work by killing bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. There are several types of UV air purifiers, including Germicidal UV air purifiers and UV air purifiers.

Vacuum Air Purifiers

These air purifiers clean the air by sucking up dust and other particles. They’re also called mechanical air purifiers.

Air Ionizers

Air ionizers work by producing negative ions, which are charged particles that attach to positively charged particles in the air, neutralizing them. They help remove tobacco smoke, bacteria, and other harmful particles.

While these are some of the types of air purifiers available, they’re not the only ones that can be used with an air conditioner. Air purifiers are specially designed to be used with an AC. These purifiers are made to fit the AC’s filter and are often easy to install. They even have a fan that directly draws the “cleaned” air into the AC.

Also, you may have an air purifier that does not fit the AC’s filter, but you can still use both for maximum effectiveness. Many air purifiers include a built-in fan, so you may be able just to place it near the AC.

Benefits of Using Both

Benefits of Using Air Purifier

Using both simultaneously is the best way to get the best air quality in your home. If there are airborne contaminants, an air purifier can clean them out. If there are problems with humidity, an air conditioner can lower the humidity, which is healthier for you.

Another reason to use both is that they’re designed to take air from inside your home and push it outside. An air purifier can be used to purify the air instead of sending it out, improving indoor air quality and preventing the AC from working so hard to clean the air.

The other benefit is that it’s more economical to use both. An AC filters the air to keep pollutants out but doesn’t usually have a filter to capture contaminants. Air purifiers have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that captures pollutants. Using both will make your AC more effective and clean the air in your home.

Using an AC and an air purifier together will give you the best possible air quality indoors. Your home will be cleaner and healthier, and your family will breathe easier in your clean house.

Finding the Right Air Purifier

Finding the Right Air Purifier

Hundreds of air purifiers are on the market, so choosing the right one may be difficult. To help you decide, here are some factors to consider:

Size

You may need a big air purifier if you have a large home. Some models can be used in small areas, while others are designed to clean up to 3,000 square feet.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is essential, especially if you have a large home. Most air purifiers will have an energy rating that gives you an idea of how much energy they use. The key is to use the most energy-efficient model you can find.

Ozone Generator

Some air purifiers produce ozone. This substance can help clean the air and eliminate odors, but it can also be harmful. If you have asthma or another respiratory problem, using an air purifier with an ozone generator may worsen your symptoms.

Conclusion

There are many health benefits to having a clean indoor environment. Many people suffer from allergies, and cold-like symptoms, so keeping the air clean is essential. Using an AC and air purifier is an excellent way to get the most out of your HVAC system and ensure your home is clean.

If you’re looking for a UV air purifier for HVAC, HVAC Swami can help you! We have comprehensive resources on many heating and cooling-related topics, so we can guarantee that you’ll make an informed decision. Simply go to our website to get started!

About SWAMI

James "Swami" Edgar

James “Swami” Edgar has over 40 years of experience in Heating in Cooling and has the highest Certification in HVAC in the USA.  James also has 6 children and has been married for 35 years to his high school sweetheart Mary.  “Swami” got is name from his time surfing in Southern California at an iconic Surf Spot where he was always making waves and and telling the best jokes.  

 

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