Walking into your home in Zebulon, NC, and being greeted by a wave of foul odors from last night’s dinner or a musty bathroom can quickly change the feel of your space. Your home suddenly doesn’t seem as fresh and inviting as it did. While air fresheners might offer temporary relief, they often just mask the problem.
Before you start hunting for the source, though, it’s worth noting that not all odors come from things you can see. Many are caused by microscopic airborne particles or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that linger invisibly in your home’s air. Fortunately, Landen Heating and Cooling can install an air purifier that doesn’t just mask odors but removes them.
How Air Purifiers Work
Air purifiers rely on circulation, filtration and particle capture. Here’s an explanation of each and why they are important in air purification.
1. Circulation
Circulation is the process of moving air through an air purifier. Fans and blowers must be powerful enough to move all the air to be treated through the purifier. Otherwise, only the air closest to the purifier will benefit from the purifier’s operation.
2. Filtration
When air is circulated through air purifiers, the air goes through one or more filters. Two of the most common types of filters found in air purifiers are HEPA filters and activated carbon filters. Here is a brief explanation of each:
- HEPA filters: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are able to trap and remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. Particles this tiny can be found in such things as dust, pollen, pet dander and bacteria.
- Activated carbon filters: These filters are highly absorbent, making them ideal for removing odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. They use a porous surface to trap gases and chemicals produced by cooking, smoke, pets and household cleaners.
3. Particle Capture
Particle capture refers to an air purifier’s ability to capture minute particles that were not trapped by HEPA and carbon filters. For instance, we can furnish air purifiers that make use of UV-C light, a form of ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 200 and 280 nanometers.
Though UV-C light doesn’t occur naturally at ground level, it can be safely generated inside an air purifier to neutralize bacteria, viruses and allergens to further enhance your home’s air quality. Using UV-C light for particle capture is extremely important because some particles are so small that they can enter a person’s lungs or bloodstream, making it a health issue.
What Causes Lingering Indoor Odors?
Persistent foul odors may be more than just a nuisance. They may be a sign that your indoor air is distributing microscopic particles throughout your home that can settle into your carpet, upholstery, bedding and even walls. Over time, these particles can build up to the point that they become difficult to eliminate. Common sources include:
- Cooking smells
- Pet odors
- Mold and mildew
- Tobacco smoke
- VOCs
While opening windows can help temporarily, most foul odors eventually return. Removing them on a more permanent basis requires the use of a professionally installed air purifier that will trap odor-causing particles before they have a chance to settle into your home’s soft surfaces.
Whole-Home Air Purifiers vs. Portable Units
Unlike portable units that cover only a small area, whole-home air purifiers treat the air throughout your entire home, providing a more consistent air quality. They are also relatively quiet and require minimal maintenance. Here are four benefits of having a whole-home air purifier furnished and professionally installed by Landen Heating and Cooling.
1. HVAC Integration
Our air purification products can be integrated into your HVAC system. The beauty of this is that they are always cleaning your home’s air whenever your HVAC is operating. This helps keep your home’s indoor air fresh on a continual basis.
2. Comprehensive Air Filtration
The whole-home air purifiers we furnish utilize high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These filters can remove airborne particulates as small as 0.3 microns. HEPA filters provide relief from dust, pollen, pet dander and mold spores, making them extremely useful during allergy season.
3. Odor and VOC Neutralization
If you have a craft room or workshop and frequently use glues, paints and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you’ll be happy to know that our whole-home air purifiers contain activated carbon filters that will remove those substances from your air.
4. Microbial Control
When we add UV-C light to your whole-home air purifier, you will rest easier knowing that your indoor air is free from bacteria, viruses and other harmful microbes that can cause health problems.
The Role of Professional Installation
DIY and box-store air purifiers seldom live up to expectations. This is primarily due to weak motors, small fans and cheap, inadequate filters that are no match for our HEPA and activated carbon filters. Additionally, DIY units often leak unfiltered air around the edges, have no ability to integrate with your HVAC system and have shorter life spans.
On the other hand, Landen Heating and Cooling will correctly size, furnish and install an air purifier to meet the needs of your indoor living spaces. We can also install a whole-home air purifier that integrates with your HVAC system to provide fresh, odor- and contaminant-free air throughout your home on a year-round basis.
Tips on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
If you are serious about improving the air quality in your home, here are three tips on how to achieve that.
1. Regular HVAC Tune-Ups
We can keep your HVAC system operating at peak efficiency. This will minimize the circulation of dust and allergens. Although HVAC tune-ups are important throughout the year, seasonal maintenance is most important.
2. Duct Inspections
We can inspect the ductwork throughout your home to ensure that it is clean and free of leaks and blockages. If needed, we will seal ducts with mastic sealant that will enhance both indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
3. Filter Replacements
We can replace your air filter with one that has a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher, which is considered to be high efficiency for home use. This will help keep the air in your home free of bacteria and viruses that lower-quality filters often miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of odors can an air purifier remove?
A: Air purifiers can remove odors caused by dust, pollen, pet dander and VOCs.
Q: How do I choose the best air purifier?
A: You should choose an air purifier robust enough to clean all the air in your living spaces. It should have HEPA and activated carbon filters. Additionally, it might need UV-C light filtration. Contact us for help with that.
Take the Next Step to Clean Your Home’s Air
If you want to clean the air in your home and get rid of those offensive odors once and for all, contact Landen Heating and Cooling today! We will be glad to help you select the right air purifier for your home and professionally install it for you. While you’re at it, don’t forget to ask us about our whole-home air purifiers. We offer a variety of indoor air quality services, so find out today how we can help!
