Whole House Air Filtration in Scott Township, PA

The Advantages of Whole House Air Filtration

Choosing a whole house system over portable air purifiers offers several key benefits:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Instead of cleaning the air in a single room, a whole house system treats all the air circulating through your ductwork, delivering clean air to every register in your home.
• Increased Efficiency: These systems are designed to handle the volume of air processed by your central Heating and Air Conditioning system, ensuring thorough filtration with each pass.
• Quiet Operation: Integrated into your existing HVAC system, whole house filters operate silently within your ductwork, unlike noisy portable units.
• Reduced Dust and Allergens: By trapping fine particles, these systems dramatically reduce the amount of dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens circulating in your home.
• Extended HVAC System Lifespan: Cleaner air circulating through your system means less buildup on internal components like the evaporator coil and heat exchanger, potentially reducing wear and tear and extending the life of your HVAC equipment.
• Energy Savings: While not the primary benefit, a cleaner system runs more efficiently, which can contribute to lower energy bills over time.

Investing in a whole house air filtration system is an investment in your family's health and the longevity of your HVAC system.

Types of Whole House Air Filtration Systems

There are two primary types of whole house air filtration systems commonly installed in homes: media filters and electronic air cleaners.

Media Filters:

These systems utilize thick, high-capacity filters, often 4-6 inches deep, significantly larger than standard 1-inch furnace filters. They are installed in a special cabinet connected to your ductwork, typically near the air handler.

• How They Work: As air passes through the dense filter material, microscopic particles become trapped within the filter fibers. The effectiveness of a media filter is measured by its MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. Higher MERV ratings indicate finer filtration. While standard HVAC filters typically have MERV ratings between 1-4, whole house media filters often range from MERV 10 to MERV 16, capable of capturing smaller particles like pet dander, mold spores, and even some bacteria and viruses.
• Advantages: Relatively simple technology, effective at capturing a wide range of particles, lower initial cost compared to electronic systems, and require less frequent filter replacement than standard filters (typically every 6-12 months).

Electronic Air Cleaners (EACs):

Also known as electronic air precipitators, these systems use electrical charges to remove particles from the air.

• How They Work: Air enters the EAC and passes through a pre-filter that captures larger particles. It then moves through an ionizing section where particles receive an electrical charge. These charged particles are then attracted to oppositely charged collection plates, where they adhere until the plates are cleaned. Some advanced electronic systems may also include carbon filters for odor removal or post-filters for additional particle capture.
• Advantages: Extremely effective at capturing very fine particles, including smoke, pollen, dust mites, and even some viruses and bacteria. They do not require filter replacement in the same way media filters do, as the collection plates are typically washable.
• Considerations: Can generate a small amount of ozone (though most modern units are designed to minimize this). Require regular cleaning of the collection plates to maintain efficiency, which can be a more involved process than replacing a filter.

Choosing the right system depends on your specific needs, budget, and the types of pollutants you are most concerned about removing. A consultation can help determine the best fit for your Scott Township home.

How Whole House Filtration Integrates with Your HVAC System

A whole house air filtration system is installed as part of your home's central HVAC ductwork. It is typically placed on the return air side of your furnace or air handler, before the air enters the heating or cooling coil. This ensures that all the air being conditioned and circulated throughout your home is filtered first.

When your furnace or air conditioner is running, air is drawn from the rooms through the return vents, passes through the filtration system where contaminants are removed, and then enters the air handler to be heated or cooled. The now-cleaned and conditioned air is then pushed back out through the supply vents into your rooms. This continuous process helps maintain a consistently high level of Indoor Air Quality throughout your entire home whenever your system is operating.

The system is controlled by your existing thermostat or HVAC control system, turning on and off with the furnace or air conditioner's fan cycle. Some systems offer the option for the fan to run independently to provide continuous air filtration even when heating or cooling is not needed.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation of a whole house air filtration system is essential for its performance and efficiency. It requires expertise in HVAC systems and ductwork modifications. The process typically involves:

• Selecting the appropriate location in the return ductwork near the air handler.
• Cutting into the existing ductwork to install the filter cabinet or electronic air cleaner unit.
• Ensuring a tight seal around the unit to prevent unfiltered air from bypassing it.
• For electronic systems, connecting the unit to a power source.
• Testing the system to ensure it is functioning correctly and air is flowing properly.

Given the complexity, professional installation by experienced Residential Plumbers and HVAC technicians is highly recommended to ensure the system integrates seamlessly with your existing setup and operates effectively.

Like any home system, whole house air filtration requires routine HVAC Maintenance to perform optimally.

• Media Filters: The primary maintenance is replacing the filter cartridge. The frequency depends on the filter's MERV rating, the size of the filter, the amount of dust and particles in your home's air, and how often your HVAC system runs. Manufacturers typically recommend replacement every 6 to 12 months.
• Electronic Air Cleaners: These systems require periodic cleaning of the pre-filters and collection plates. The frequency depends on usage and air quality, but typically ranges from every few weeks to every few months. Cleaning usually involves removing the plates and washing them according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Regular maintenance, whether filter replacement or cleaning, ensures the system continues to capture particles effectively and maintains proper airflow through your HVAC system. Neglecting maintenance can lead to reduced filtration efficiency, decreased airflow, and potentially strain your HVAC equipment. Enrolling in a Maintenance Plan can help ensure these crucial steps are never missed.