Whole House Air Filtration in Canonsburg, PA

Breathe Better and Protect Your HVAC System with Whole House Filtration

The advantages of installing a whole house air filtration system are numerous and directly address common indoor air quality issues. For allergy and asthma sufferers, these systems can provide significant relief by removing triggers like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from the air. Reducing airborne pollutants can lead to fewer symptoms, better sleep, and overall improved well-being. Beyond health benefits, a whole house system drastically reduces the amount of dust circulating, meaning less time spent dusting furniture and surfaces. It also helps to mitigate unpleasant odours by capturing the particles that cause them.

Furthermore, cleaner air circulating through your HVAC system can actually benefit the system itself. By removing more particles before they can reach the internal components like the evaporator coil and blower motor, a whole house air filter helps keep your system cleaner, potentially improving efficiency and extending its lifespan. This can contribute to less frequent HVAC maintenance needs and potentially fewer repairs over time.

Types of Whole House Air Filtration Systems Explained

There are several types of whole house air filtration systems available, each utilizing different technologies to capture pollutants. The two primary types are media air cleaners and electronic air cleaners. Understanding how each works can help determine the best fit for your home's specific needs.

Media Air Cleaners

Media air cleaners are essentially oversized, high-efficiency pleated filters. They are significantly thicker than standard filters, often 4 to 6 inches deep, providing a much larger surface area to capture particles. These filters are rated using the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) system. A higher MERV rating indicates a greater ability to capture smaller particles. Standard furnace filters typically have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, capturing larger dust and lint. Whole house media filters commonly have MERV ratings ranging from 10 to 16.

• MERV 10-12: Effective at capturing pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and some bacteria.
• MERV 13-16: Considered hospital-grade, capable of capturing even smaller particles like viruses, tobacco smoke, and exhaust fumes, in addition to everything captured by lower MERV ratings.

Media air cleaners work by physically trapping particles within the dense filter material as air passes through. They require no electricity to operate and are relatively low-maintenance, needing replacement typically every 6 to 12 months, depending on the specific filter, household conditions (like pets), and usage. The thicker design allows them to hold significantly more particles than standard filters without restricting airflow to a detrimental degree, which is a common issue when trying to use high-MERV standard filters.

Electronic Air Cleaners

Electronic air cleaners, also known as electrostatic precipitators, use electrical charges to remove particles from the air. These systems typically have three main sections: a pre-filter, an ionization section, and a collection plate section.

• Pre-filter: A washable filter that captures larger particles like hair and lint, protecting the ionization section.
• Ionization Section: As air passes through, particles receive an electrical charge (either positive or negative) from a series of wires.
• Collection Plate Section: Charged particles then pass through a series of oppositely charged metal plates. The charged particles are attracted to and stick to these plates, effectively removing them from the air.

Electronic air cleaners are highly effective at capturing very small particles, including those that escape high-MERV media filters. They don't require regular filter replacement like media filters; instead, the collection plates and pre-filter are washable. This can make them more cost-effective in the long run, although they require regular cleaning (typically every 1 to 3 months) to maintain efficiency. Electronic air cleaners do require a power source and produce a small amount of ozone as a byproduct, although the amount is typically well within safety standards.

How Whole House Systems Work

Both media and electronic whole house air filtration systems are integrated into your home's existing ductwork, usually located near the furnace or air handler. When your HVAC system runs (heating, cooling, or just the fan), air from your home is drawn into the return ductwork. Before this air enters the furnace or air handler to be conditioned and recirculated, it passes through the whole house air filtration unit. Here, airborne particles are captured by the filter media or collected on the electronic plates. The now cleaner air then continues through the system and is sent back into your living spaces via the supply ducts. This process ensures that the air circulating throughout your entire home is being continuously filtered whenever the system is running.

Seamless Whole House Air Filtration Installation Services

Proper installation of a whole house air filtration system is crucial for its effectiveness and for the overall health of your HVAC system. These systems need to be correctly sized and integrated into the existing ductwork without significantly restricting airflow. Restricted airflow can lead to reduced system efficiency, increased energy bills, and potential damage to components like the blower motor or heat exchanger due to increased strain or overheating. At Sureway Heating Cooling Plumbing, our qualified HVAC professional will assess your home's specific needs, including the size of your HVAC system and ductwork, and recommend the appropriate type and size of filtration system. The installation process involves modifying the return ductwork to house the filter unit and ensuring a proper seal to prevent air bypass. Electronic systems also require electrical connections. Professional installation ensures the system is correctly integrated, operates efficiently, and does not negatively impact your HVAC system's performance.

Reliable Maintenance Service

Like any component of your HVAC system, whole house air filtration systems require regular maintenance to function optimally. The maintenance required depends on the type of system installed:

• Media Air Cleaners: These require periodic filter replacement. The frequency depends on the specific filter, the level of airborne contaminants in your home, and how often your HVAC system runs. Generally, replacement is needed every 6 to 12 months. Ignoring replacement will cause the filter to become clogged, reducing its effectiveness and potentially restricting airflow, which can harm your HVAC system.
• Electronic Air Cleaners: These require regular cleaning of the pre-filter and collection plates. The cleaning frequency depends on usage and air quality but is typically every 1 to 3 months. The cleaning process usually involves removing the plates and pre-filter and washing them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Regular cleaning is essential because dirty plates become less effective at collecting particles, and excessive build-up can lead to arcing or system malfunction.

Regular maintenance ensures your whole house air filtration system continues to provide the high level of air quality improvement you expect. It also prevents potential issues that could arise from a clogged or malfunctioning unit, protecting your main HVAC system. Many homeowners choose to schedule maintenance for their air filtration system alongside their routine HVAC maintenance visits to ensure everything is checked and serviced concurrently.

Living in Canonsburg, PA, means experiencing seasonal changes that can impact indoor air quality, from spring pollen and summer humidity to fall dust and winter dryness. A whole house air filtration system provides a consistent solution to maintain cleaner, healthier air throughout the year, regardless of what's happening outside. By integrating directly with your existing system, these units offer a convenient, whole-home approach to tackling indoor air pollution, allowing you and your family to breathe easier and enjoy greater comfort.