Air Filters vs. Air Purifiers—What’s the Difference?

Air filters are very effective in certain conditions, but they can also be upstaged by stubborn pollutants that are just too small for filters to trap on their filtering media. Air filters are passive in their operation (with the exception of electrostatic filters). They are put into place and they filter out pollutants as air is forced through them. Air purifiers are much more active in their efforts to trap pollutants.

While there are different types of air purifiers on the market, the electrostatic precipitator is among the most common and features technology that is used in various products and systems. Basically, this type of air cleaner uses an ionization chamber to imbue pollutants with an electromagnetic charge. Those charged pollutants are then trapped on oppositely charged collector plates, which are simply removed so that they can be cleaned.

A Multi–Pronged Approach Is Usually Best

While an electronic air purifier such as that detailed above is a great way in which to boost indoor air quality, the most effective indoor air quality systems are those that take a multi–pronged approach.

Pairing an air purifier in Paramus, NJ with an appropriately efficient air filter, as well as a UV (or ultraviolet) germicidal light setup (for dealing with biological pollutants) will really yield incredible results in terms of improving indoor air quality.

We Install and Service Whole–House Air Purifiers

If you are just looking for one of those portable air purifiers that you can stand up in a room in your home, then you can run out to the hardware store of your choosing and buy one. However, the results that you see are not going to match those that you’d get with a whole–house air purifier in Paramus, NJ. Just keep in mind that such systems do require a professional installation and occasional repairs.

Fortunately for you, we are never more than a phone call away. Whether you need a whole–house air purifier installation, repair, or replacement, you can count on our IAQ technicians to do the job right. While the basic maintenance of cleaning the plates is something you can handle, we are also happy to handle the inspection of your system as part of annual HVAC/IAQ system maintenance, as well.

Work with Advanced Mechanical Services to get the most from your air purification system.