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Many have questioned whether they can use a single purifier to clean their entire home. Rather than installing purifiers in each separate room, for instance, is it conceivable to put one giant purifier in the living room?
The benefits would be significant. The purifier could be placed in a different room for a more straightforward installation, lower price tag, and quieter experience overall. However, it needs to serve its purpose. Does a single purifier have the ability to clean an entire apartment, even if the bedroom door is kept closed?
There is a colossal grave of misinformation about “whole home” air purifiers. Some products claim to be able to purify the air but are merely bulky portables with fancy marketing. Even though larger portable air filters can filter a more significant volume of air, they still can’t clean all the air in a typical home.
So what makes an air purifier specifically made for large homes?
The HVAC system incorporates a whole-house air purifier. It could be as meek as putting in a filter at the point where the ductwork and the furnace meet (the filter’s primary function being to protect the furnace’s components from debris rather than to purify the air), or it could involve putting in an elaborate electronic system that is integrated into the ducts themselves. To be truly effective as a whole-house air purifier, the filter must be integrated into the air circulation within the HVAC system’s ductwork.
It is only necessary to utilize a large-sized air purifier in one area of your house to keep the air in that room clean and healthy. Instead, if you want to improve the indoor air quality across your entire home, you may want to consider installing a system that filters or purifies the air as it circulates through your HVAC system.
Still wondering what brand of whole-house air purifiers you will purchase? Iupilon definitely got you covered! So please keep reading to find our top three picks for your large home’s most efficient air purifier. You may also check our other blog posts: “The 3 Most Cost-Efficient Air Purifiers,” “The 3 Most Efficient Home Air Purifiers,” and “The 5 Most Efficient And Quiet Air Purifiers.”
Are Whole House Air Purifiers Worth the Money?
Installing a whole-house air purifier is the best way to ensure that your family’s health is not compromised by poor indoor air quality. However, which whole-house air purifier is the most cost-effective option?
A whole-house air purifier is well worth the investment for people with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. By eliminating irritants from the air, the system aids in alleviating symptoms. As a result, the severity and frequency of allergy and asthma attacks are reduced.
Whole-house air filtration systems are well worth the investment for people who live in cities with moderate to heavy traffic. Ground-level ozone is created when chemicals released by hundreds or even thousands of cars driving along highways react with sunlight. Inhaling ozone at ground level harms your health and the health of all other living things on Earth.
Whole-house air purifiers are mounted outside the HVAC ducting or built within the ductwork. There are two types of ventilation systems: supply air and return air. The sole variable is where the purifier is placed with the ducts.
A home’s air must first be recirculated through a return air system before the conditioned air can be drawn from the house. A furnace’s return side always has a standard replacement media filter. Depending on the manufacturer, these filters may be found there at any time and cost anywhere from $30 to $50. However, a supply air system is placed between the furnace and the vent in the meanwhile. Before it’s piped through your home’s ventilation system, the air is purified by this system.
Your skill, willingness to do servicing, and the types of air pollutants you wish to mitigate, will inform your decision regarding which whole-home air purification system is ideal for your dwelling. Unfortunately, because of all the factors that can affect a whole-house air purifier’s performance, such as the home’s duct layout and size, the location and number of air return grates, the existing HVAC equipment, and the presence of dust, pets, or mold, it’s nearly impossible to give an objective rating of the purifier’s effectiveness.
Can An Air Purifier Purify the Whole House?
Filters, both whole-house and portable, remove allergens and other particles from the air and boost IAQ. The question remains, though: do they work?
You can get a whole-house air purifier that works with your HVAC system. Then, in a logical move, you should use the same technology to regulate the temperature and air quality in your home. Air filtration systems can remove allergies and other pollutants from the air while it is being heated or cooled.
Allergists often prescribe air purifiers as the initial step in an allergy avoidance plan. However, allergens from dust mites, mold spores, dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cigarette smoke, and other harmful gases are only some irritants that air purifiers directly address.
Whole-house air purifiers are a convenient, cost-effective solution to the problem of dirty indoor air, as they can be used throughout the home rather than just in individual rooms. It’s a fantastic concept because it ensures that air is evenly distributed throughout the dwelling.
Although whole-house air purifiers have been available for some time, not all of them live up to their claims. Some of them can even give off harmful byproducts. The health of your loved ones is always a top priority, so it’s best to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.
For whole-house filtration to be truly successful, it must draw in sufficient quantities of “bad” air. Therefore, ensure you know how well the air purifier functions so you can choose one confidently for your entire home.
TIP: Household air filters can be either media filters, which employ a physical barrier to trap particles, or electronic filters, which utilize a high-voltage charge to entice and capture impurities. Professional installation of return-air ducting is required for the usage of a whole-house filter like the elongated media filter illustrated here.
What Is the Best Air Purifier for a Whole House?
People commonly use whole-house air purifiers to increase indoor air quality by filtering out microscopic pollutants. These devices are ideal for people with asthma, allergies, and other breathing issues.
But while it’s easy to see why you’d want a whole-house air purifier, it’s trickier to pick one out. This is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the top air purifiers on the market, considering criteria like the type and number of filters it uses, the maximum noise level, the coverage area, and the size.
- A whole-house air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter is the most effective method for removing particles from the air, such as those found in pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and tobacco smoke.
- More frequent filter media replacement may be necessary for high-mold-density areas to prevent mold from colonizing the filter.
- A simple furnace filter that is changed regularly will remove primary dust and other particle pollutants.
- A unit with a carbon filter stage is ideal if volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cigarette smoke or wood fires, out-gassing substances, paints, or other sources are an issue, or if your primary goal is to eliminate odors.
Maintaining the cleanest air quality feasible in your home requires regular maintenance, including cleaning and replacing the filters and other components of your whole house air purifier.
Iupilon has spent countless hours compiling this guide resulting from the extensive investigation. First, each of our top recommendations is given a detailed review, and then readers can move on to the buying guide, where they’ll find a wealth of information to help them settle on the best purifier for their particular needs.
Understanding How Indoor Air Quality Works
For human health and comfort, “Indoor Air Quality” (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures. The risk of developing an illness at home can be mitigated by learning about and taking steps to reduce exposure to common indoor pollutants.
Air pollution in the home can have severe consequences for your health immediately or years later. It may not take long for a pollutant’s effects your health, whether you’ve been exposed to it once or many times.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation, along with headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, are among them. Fortunately, such immediate results are usually temporary and manageable.
In some cases, the treatment entails doing nothing more than moving away from the offending pollutant’s source. For example, indoor air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks and a shorter time before asthma symptoms flare up.
Age and preexisting health conditions can increase or decrease the likelihood of experiencing severe reactions to indoor air pollutants.
Sensitivity to pollutants can vary widely among individuals and may determine whether they experience any adverse effects. Repeated or severe exposure to biological or chemical pollutants can cause sensitization in some people.
What are the Immediate Effects of Compromise Air Quality Indoors?
Some of the immediate effects of indoor air pollution are similar to those of the common cold and other viral illnesses, making it difficult to tell which came first.
Therefore, taking note of when and where symptoms appear is so crucial. For instance, further investigation into potential indoor air sources is warranted in cases where symptoms improve or disappear when the affected person leaves the area. In addition, some effects may be amplified by the indoor climate, including but not limited to heating, cooling, and humidity.
The Major Factors
Prolonged or repeated exposure may be required for some health effects to manifest, sometimes years after the initial exposure. Some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer are among the illnesses that can be exacerbated or even caused by these effects. Even if you don’t feel anything wrong, working on your home’s indoor air quality is still a good idea.
Common indoor pollutants are linked to a wide range of adverse health effects, but the precise concentrations required to cause harm, or the duration of exposure required for health problems, remain largely unknown.
Pollutants in the home’s atmosphere can elicit a wide range of responses from its inhabitants. However, more study is required to determine which health effects result from prolonged exposure to typical indoor pollution levels versus those caused by occasional exposure to peak levels.
The Most Common Sources of Poor Indoor Air
The primary cause of issues with indoor air quality is pollution from sources inside the building that release gases or particles into the air.
As a result of inadequate ventilation, indoor pollutant levels can rise because the outside air isn’t being brought in to dilute emissions from indoor sources, and indoor air pollutants aren’t being removed. In addition, some pollutants’ concentrations can be amplified by high temperature and humidity.
The quantity and severity of a pollutant’s emissions determine the source’s relative significance. In addition, age and maintenance of the source can be crucial considerations. For instance, carbon monoxide emissions from a gas stove that hasn’t been appropriately adjusted can be significantly higher than those from a stove that has.
Pollutants can be released continuously from some sources, such as building materials, furniture, and products like air fresheners. Smoking, housework, remodeling, and hobby activities contribute to the intermittent release of pollutants. Higher and sometimes dangerous levels of pollutants can be released indoors by unvented appliances, malfunctioning products, or improper use of products. After certain events, the air may continue to contain high pollution levels for quite some time.
Poor Air Circulation?
Reduced ventilation can lead to unhealthy levels of indoor air pollution that can negatively impact occupant health and comfort. Buildings constructed to prevent the infiltration and egress of outdoor air may have higher levels of indoor pollution than those not.
How Air Enters Buildings
Infiltration and natural and mechanical ventilation allow for the intake and exhaust of outdoor air inside a building. Infiltration is the process by which outside air enters a building through such openings as windows and doors and through the joints and cracks in the walls, floors, and ceilings.
When windows and doors are left open, natural ventilation occurs. The wind and the temperature differential between the indoors and outdoors are the primary drivers of infiltration and natural ventilation.
Finally, a variety of mechanical ventilation devices are available. These range from outdoor-vented fans to remove air from a single room, such as a bathroom or kitchen, on an intermittent basis, to air handling systems that use fans and duct work to continuously remove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic points throughout the house. The air exchange rate is the amount of time it takes for outdoor air to replace the air inside a building completely. Increased pollution can occur in areas with low air exchange rates due to insufficient infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation.
Pollutant concentrations inside a building depend on its ability to exchange air with the outside. Infiltration (air that enters buildings through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings and around windows and doors), natural ventilation (air that enters buildings through opened windows and doors), and mechanical ventilation (air that enters buildings through other means) all contribute to the building’s air exchange rate, which is affected by design, construction, and operating parameters (air that is forced indoors or vented outdoors by ventilation devices, such as fans or air handling systems).
The outdoor climate and weather and the actions of building occupants can impact indoor air quality. The weather can affect indoor air quality because people’s behavior, such as whether they choose to keep windows open and whether or not they use air conditioning, humidifiers, and heaters, is influenced by the weather. If humidity and temperature inside a building aren’t appropriately managed by ventilation and air conditioning, mold growth may be encouraged by the weather outside.
Alen BreatheSmart Classic
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier is excellent, if not the finest, for large, open spaces like living rooms or workplaces. This model’s effectiveness is primarily due to its Smart Sensor, which monitors the air quality and automatically resizes the fan speed.
An Alen air purifier can efficiently clean your home’s air of irritants, germs, pathogens, and other airborne contaminants. You can get these air purifiers from Alen in various sizes to fit any room, and numerous filtration options exist.
Their state-of-the-art HEPA filter equipment can be used to clean the air in any indoor environment, including your home and place of work. If your home has a history of dust buildup owing to age, pets, cigarette smoking, or simply living in a high-risk region, an Alen air purifier can help.
The Alen BreatheSmart, the company’s most recent product, is packed with helpful new features for its users. For example, this latest iteration of Alen’s air purifier uses a True HEPA filter to remove allergens and bacteria from the air.
Similarly, the excellent Alen BreatheSmart Classic air purifier has been dethroned by the more recent Alen BreatheSmart 75i model. The 75i model is not only superior to the Classic but also the best air purifier that can be purchased anywhere around the globe.
All of the problems that the Alen BreatheSmart Classic model had, such as a high noise level when operating at Speed 1, a high energy consumption rate, and a CADR rating that wasn’t all that great for a large room air purifier, are resolved by the 75i model. In addition, the Alen BreatheSmart Classic air purifier offers a superior filtration technology, a higher CADR rating, and a more optimal noise profile when operating at high fan speed settings compared to the air purifiers manufactured by Coway, Blueair, and Levoit.
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic is equipped with the company’s renowned H13 HEPA filters. The standard HEPA filters that are used in the Alen BreatheSmart Classic are meant to remove 99.97% of air pollutants with a size of 0.3 microns or more prominent, but the H13 HEPA filters that are used in the BreatheSmart Classic remove 99.99% of air pollutants with a diameter of 0.1 microns or smaller. They are excellent in removing even the tiniest airborne particulates, such as microscopic dust particles, smoke particulate, allergens, fungus, fungal spores, specific bacteria, and other contaminants.
On the one hand, the Breathesmart air purifier is an excellent piece of equipment, mainly if your ultimate goal is to enhance the air quality in significant portions of your home. Although it is not as portable or stylish as the Alen BreatheSmart Flex air purifier, it does a superb job cleaning the air in your home. Regrettably, it is a significant investment because new filters are pricey, even though they are still less expensive than the Coway Airmega 400; nonetheless, the Coway is approximately $200 less priced and covers a larger area.
This medical-grade air filter has the claimed capability of filtering out particles as small as 0.1 microns, making the air significantly purifier and hence safer to breathe. Unfortunately, this class includes pollutants like mold and other potentially dangerous compounds.
Do not be conned by the design of the Alen BreatheSmart, since the weight of the air purifier is 21 pounds. Even though it is difficult to tell from the photographs, it is still significantly more significant than the BreatheSmart FIT50. It would help if you kept this in mind. However, in the realm of air purifiers that cost $650, there are plenty of air purifiers that are heavier than the ones you have.
An illustration of this would be the Blueair Classic 480i, which weighs 33 pounds, and the AIRMEGA 400, which weighs 24.7 pounds. Here in Iupilon, the Alen BreatheSmart is more convenient because of its lightweight design and ergonomic handle.
Hundreds of happy customers have made Alen air purifiers their go-to home cleaning solution. The new purifier has been praised for its minimal profile, quiet operation, and streamlined design. It’s easy to see why Alen’s devoted customer base adores their products, as 240+ Amazon customers have rated their air purifiers an average of 4.4/5 stars.
Customers whose priority was getting rid of lingering odors were pleased with the results they got from using Alen air purifiers. Customers loved these air purifiers and Alen’s excellent service because they worked quietly. And the new purifier’s sleek design has drawn plenty of praise from onlookers.
Coway Airmega 400
Our testing shows that the Coway Airmega 400S has the highest performance among similar models. Few other models can filter the air so efficiently, especially in removing aromas like smoking. In addition, independent testing using a Dylos air monitor confirmed what we already suspected: this device offers one of the highest Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR) available in its class.
The Coway Airmega 400S is an excellent alternative if you need a powerful air purifier that won’t disrupt your peace with its ear-splitting noise level. This low-priced gadget boasts a sleek look and is a breeze to operate.
Air quality is detected by a built-in sensor and relayed to the unit’s “smart mode,” which activates or deactivates the filter accordingly. Most importantly, the filter has been ranked as one of the best for removing airborne particles, making it an excellent option for anyone with respiratory sensitivities.
Purer and healthier indoor air is an important goal for Coway, and the company is dedicated to assisting individuals. You may rest assured that the company’s goods are well-made, adaptable, and affordable, thanks to their wide range of options and innovative features and filters. The award-winning firm also doesn’t skimp on quality and has a committed support staff to assist clients at every turn.
No one favors replacing one form of pollution with another. To that end, we measure the level and quality of the noise made by each of the purifiers we test. Among its contemporaries, the Coway Airmega 400S is among the quietest. Also, the tone of voice is subtle enough to pass unnoticed. When you think about how much pure air this machine moves and the size of the engine and fan needed to do that task, this evaluation takes on a whole new level of awe and admiration.
Odor reduction analysis is also an essential part of evaluating the efficiency of an air purifier. To conduct this test, we burned paper and incense to create tiny molecules we detected as a fragrance.
The air purifier’s filter may be too large for these molecules, making their removal from the air a challenging task. Despite the complexity of the assignment, the 400S performed far better than its competitors; however, a faint acrid odor remained in the room after the hour-long test period.
Finally, this device contains an integrated sensor that activates the unit if air quality drops below a predetermined level. Although this aspect is not a graded factor, we felt it was important to highlight.
Coway manufactures various air purifiers to address various demands associated with asthma, allergies, smoking, and odor. Coway uses a single filter called the Coway Max2 that combines Activated Carbon and True HEPA components in their Airmega product range, including the Airmega 400. So regardless of your situation, Coway has an indoor air solution that will enable you and your family to breathe easier and purer.
At first glance, the Coway Airmega 400 is just as durable as the Alen BreatheSmart Classic. Four legs protrude from its underside, and its entire body is made of solid plastic, making it lightweight while remaining sturdy. However, while the Honeywell True HEPA air purifier may seem durable at first glance, it will provide more stability in the event of a collision.
The Coway Airmega Max2 filter found in the Airmega 400 is a single filter that combines Activated Carbon and True HEPA components. It also has a washable pre-filter for capturing bigger airborne particles. Along with its five-year guarantee, the unit features a Smart Mode (with three distinct settings), a Timer, and Filter Light Change Indicators. The room’s air quality is also automatically considered to make the necessary adjustments.
At its price point of less than $500, the Coway Airmega 400 is a steal, given how user-friendly and inexpensive it is. If you or a loved one is sensitive to dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens, the Airmega 400 is a good investment.
In today’s market, a high-quality air purifier will set you back anywhere from $100 to $1,000. Generally speaking, Coway’s prices for its items are in the middle of the market. Coway has a wide selection of air purifiers available, so it should be easy to find one that works for you and your budget. Prices for the Coway Airmega series start at $189 and go up to $749. On the Coway website, you may choose a convenient monthly payment plan if you don’t have the money for the up-front purchase. Coway air purifiers are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, a five-year limited warranty, and free shipping.
According to the dozens of testimonials, we reviewed across multiple platforms, including Amazon, the vast majority of Coway Airmega 400 owners are pleased with their purchase. Customers have praised the machine for being simple to operate, long-lasting, running quietly, and effectively filtering out potentially dangerous airborne particles. But some consumers have complained about the unit’s noise, smell, and other problems.
Medify MA-112 Air Purifier
The Medify MA-112’s medical-grade filtration system makes it the most effective H13 HEPA air purifier. Reverse engineering the Medify MA-112 will reveal its secrets, though.
One of the best things about this product is the addition of an ionizer and a UV filter as upgrades. As a result, the MA-112 is an excellent choice if you need more stringent filtration. A simple click on a button is all required to put these filters into effect.
The medical-grade filter is the most crucial aspect of the system since it can trap particles as small as 0.1 microns. Pollen, dust mites, dust particles, germs, cigarette smoke, and viruses are all allergens that can float through the air. There is some similarity between the filters of the five highest-rated H13 HEPA air purifiers in terms of filter quality. However, the three-stage filter used by Medify is the only one of its kind.
At Medify, we only install premium HEPA filters. That’s why you must know where to find the Medify MA-112 to safeguard these priceless filters. This is accomplished using a comprehensive pre-filter. For example, the H13 HEPA filter would be overwhelmed by the bigger particles if a pre-filter hadn’t been installed. These medical-grade HEPA filters effectively capture particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
Two filters (one is an activated carbon filter and the other is a pre-filter) are integrated within the Medify MA-112. Additionally, a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter is required. Formaldehyde and benzene, among other contaminants, can be easily removed with an activated carbon filter.
The Medify MA-112 seemed like it resulted from a lot of effort; it was a sleek device that didn’t skimp on the essentials, and its design credentials had dramatically improved over the preceding couple of generations. But unfortunately, Medify Air’s air purifiers have undergone several iterations since their inception.
Similar to its forerunner, the Medify MA-40, the MA-112 is an air purifier. However, the MA-112 has half as many filters because of its more considerable body. This air purifier has an overall size of 15.7 inches across and 28.3 inches in height.
The MA-112 is similar to other Medify MA-Smart air purifiers because it has a 360-degree inlet. However, the smaller model’s intakes are located on the car’s sides rather than the back and front.
Our evaluations showed that the Medify MA-112 purified quite well. 99% of the airborne particles were removed through its use, resulting in PM2.5 and PM10 levels of just 0.1. Another example of remarkable efficiency; with so much floor space protected, you can rest easy knowing that everyone in the house will have access to clean air.
It seems counter to Medify Air’s declared policy to only introduce one new air purifier every year since the MA-14 to introduce the MA-112. But the MA-112 is a far more powerful MA-40.
Despite their popularity, Medify Air purifiers are not known for their quiet performance. However, the high airflow rates needed to successfully cleanse an H13 True HEPA filter imply that the device must work at a relatively high decibel level, even though the DC motors employed by the Medify MA-112 help to keep the air purifier as quiet as possible.
The maximum volume of the Medify MA-112 is 72 decibels, which is far louder than recommended for extended periods. As the makers of Medify Air point out, the device is most effective when used at medium or low volumes. The Smart Sensor aids in maintaining the machine at its minimum speed.
The Medify MA-112 is a fantastic investment that will yield a return far exceeding its initial cost. More than 45 Amazon customers gave it a 4.5-star rating, making it the highest-rated product in its category. In addition, applause was given to our testing, which revealed excellent performance and robust fan power. The Medify MA-112 is a significant step forward from its predecessor.
Although the Medify MA-112 has a Smart Sensor, it will significantly ease your daily routine. The air sensor may, in theory, detect changes in the air and give you feedback by switching the air quality indicator’s color and the numerical number shown on the screen. After that, selecting Auto Mode will cause the air purifier to adjust the fan speed to maximize efficiency automatically.
The built-in Sleep Mode automatically lowers the screen’s brightness and maintains the fan at its lowest speed, allowing for a more pleasant night’s sleep. Plus, you may arrange your break whenever it’s most convenient with the help of a programmable Timer.
The Medify MA-112 has a Child Lock feature much like its baby sister, the MA-111. Inquisitive fingers or paws can be kept from tinkering with the controls thanks to this feature’s ability to lock them in place. In conclusion, you’ll still be able to know when the filter needs to be changed, thanks to an LED indicator. Remembering when the part was replaced is essential if you want to use the lifetime warranty for the rest of your life.
The parts and labor on your Medify MA-112 UV are guaranteed for life under specified conditions. However, one must register their warranty within 30 days of purchase and commit to a filter change every six months to be eligible for a lifetime warranty. In addition, a request and valid receipt must be submitted within 30 days of purchase to be considered for acceptance of a purchased item.
