The Best HEPA Air Purifiers

Ever since the Covid-19 scare, I’ve been more concerned about air quality. With my husband and I working from home and the kids kept home from school, I realized the importance of the cleanliness of our breathing air. I was seeing dust and other particles floating in the air. I noticed that when the furnace started up, my kids would start sneezing. The odors from cooking dinner would spread to every room in the house and linger for hours. We also have a dog that sheds. Because of the severe weather in my local area, we are rarely able to open the windows and bring in fresh air. I’ve gone to great lengths to seal up the house and prevent energy waste. That means the same air gets trapped inside and continually circulated by the furnace or air conditioner. Things like cleaning, cooking, showering and pesticides add to the problems with air quality. Although I am good about replacing the air filter in the heating and cooling units and arranging for professional upkeep, I wanted to have more confidence in the hygiene of our breathing air. I researched different indoor air quality accessories. I learned that the portable models are a lot of work and don’t have much of an affect on the indoor environment. I needed a whole-home solution. I read up on ventilation systems, UV lights, humidifiers and dehumidifiers. After a great deal of debate, I decided to invest in an air purifier. The air purifier is installed in the ductwork, where it treats the conditioned air as it passes through. The unit operates silently, 24/7 and requires only annual maintenance. It traps 99% of contaminants that are smaller than a grain of salt. It also sends out positive and negative ions that disrupt the DNA of bacteria, viruses and various toxins, rendering them harmless.

a/c products

The device knows when rooms are empty or occupied and adjusts heating and cooling accordingly

The temperature in the northeastern part of the country can drop down into the negative twenties just as easily as it soars into the mid nineties. My local area sees dangerous wind chills, high winds, torrential downpours, freezing rain, blizzard conditions, thunderstorms, feet of snow accumulation, hail and excessive humidity. While the winters are freezing cold and the summers super hot, the fall and spring are typically chilly and wet. There is very little break between running the furnace and the air conditioner. Heating and cooling account for more than fifty percent of my annual energy bills. I have invested into an Energy Star, high-efficiency, state-of-the-art furnace and air conditioner for my home. I take very good care of the equipment, replacing air filters every month and arranging for professional maintenance every year. I’ve added a ventilation system to bring in fresh air and help with humidity in the summer. During the winter, the ventilation system uses the outgoing air to preheat the incoming air and reduce demands on the furnace. Every fall, I go around and caulk any cracks or leaks I might find. I check the integrity of the insulation in the attic. I’ve replaced all of the exterior doors and weatherstripped them. I’ve updated to thermal pane, low E windows to combat air leaks and drafts. Just recently, I replaced my thermostat. I spent several hundred dollars on a smart thermostat with occupancy sensors. The device knows when rooms are empty or occupied and adjusts heating and cooling accordingly. Despite all of my efforts, I’m still not happy with the cost of monthly energy bills.

Hydronic heater

After investing a considerable amount of money into a high-efficiency, state-of-the-art furnace, I assumed I could take my winter comfort for granted.

Other than changing the air filter every once in a while, I totally neglected the heating system. Within a couple of years, I noticed the performance of the furnace had diminished considerably. I figured there was some defect in the unit. Although I’d chosen a well-known manufacturer, I was worried that the furnace was inferior quality. I called a local HVAC contractor to take a look at the heater. When he accessed the inner workings, he found a significant buildup of contaminants. He asked how long it had been since I’d had the furnace serviced. After I admitted that I’d never scheduled professional maintenance, he explained that dust and other debris can wreak havoc with furnace operation. As pollutants accumulate on the various components, they restrict airflow through the system. The furnace then needs to run longer and work harder to achieve the thermostat setting. Plus, the dander, bacteria, mold spores and harmful toxins can get spread into the breathing air and cause concerns with indoor air quality. He explained that moving parts of the motor require lubrication, wires need to be tested and it’s super important to inspect the integrity of the heat exchanger. Once he completed a thorough cleaning, adjustment and tuning of the furnace, it was back to running like brand new. The technician convinced me to enroll in a maintenance plan that includes service for the heating system every fall. I need proof of this service to fulfill the stipulations of the manufacturer’s warranty coverage.

 

a/c worker

I’ve never been a big fan of air conditioning.

• When all of the windows and doors are sealed tight, and the air conditioner is blasting at maximum capacity, I typically get a headache and sore throat.

I often start to sneeze and get congested. I prefer access to fresh air. Especially after a super long and cold winter, I like to open the windows. In my local area, it’s not usual to rely on the furnace for eight straight months. We see temperatures down to negative twenty-five degrees, brutal windchill and feet of snow. The indoor living space becomes terribly dry, stale and stuffy. The weather traps me inside, and I pay huge energy bills. I look forward to the spring thaw, blue skies and sunshine. I watch for the daffodils, tulips and hyacinths to sprout. As soon as possible, I welcome some fresh air. While the summers tend to be short and are occasionally chilly and wet, we can also experience high temperatures and humidity. With my bedroom on the second floor of the house, it becomes especially overheated and sticky, making it nearly impossible to sleep. I have found that a window air conditioner works well for me. In the rest of the house, I run box fans and tolerate the heat. In the bedroom, I need a cool environment. I was able to buy a window air conditioner for under $200. The unit is compact, lightweight and very easy to install into the window. I simply plug it in and start it up. Despite the small size, it easily provides ideal comfort. I like that it circulates and filters contaminants out of the air, keeping the bedroom fresh and clean. I also appreciate the cordless remote. I don’t even need to get out of bed to make adjustments to temperature and fan speed.

 

Commercial air conditioning system

The weather extremes in my local area necessitate heating and cooling just about year round.

The cost of temperature control accounts for approximately half of my annual utility bills.

Energy efficiency is a big priority. I’ve gone to great lengths to seal up any leaks in the thermal envelopes. Along with replacing windows and doors, I’ve meticulously caulked, weatherstripped and insulated. I’ve installed ceiling fans to help push the heat toward the floor during the winter and send it up and out during the summer. I am diligent about replacing air filters and scheduling preventative maintenance in the fall for the furnace and in the spring for the air conditioner. While I’ve done a good job of reducing expenses, I’ve also eliminated natural ventilation. Fresh air is necessary for healthy indoor air quality. Otherwise, contaminants become trapped inside. Cooking, cleaning, showering and all sorts of everyday activities add to the problem. Pet dander, dust, fumes, bacteria, viruses and modl spores get circulated by the heating and cooling system multiple times per day. The lack of ventilation can lead to health problems. The ideal solution is a ventilation system that works to pull out the stale air and replace it with fresh, clean, outside air. I chose a heat recovery ventilator that uses the outgoing air to preheat the incoming air in the winter. This helps to reduce the workload of the furnace. Since adding the ventilation system, I’ve noticed that the living environment is more comfortable. The home stays cleaner, smells fresher and my family has fewer issues with headaches, sleeplessness, coughing, sneezing and sore throats.

radiant floor heating

When my family moved into a new house, there were a lot of necessary upgrades to make.

There were signs of water damage on the ceilings and walls.

The windows were extremely old and leaked air. The floor felt spongy and the brown shag carpeting installed in every room was absolutely hideous. All of the appliances were outdated, and we needed to completely replace the front porch. One of my major concerns was the boiler heating system. I worried that the boiler in the basement was old and inefficient. I was unhappy with the ugly radiators installed in every room. Not only did the radiators detract from aesthetics, but they occupied a great deal of living space. Because they became dangerously hot to the touch when in use, the furniture had to be arranged to accommodate them. I was afraid of the kids or the dog getting burned. While we had the whole house torn up replacing the ceilings, walls, floors, electrical wires and plumbing system, I decided to see what could be done about the boiler. I hired a licensed HVAC contractor to inspect the heating system and provide recommendations. I was surprised when he said the boiler simply needed professional maintenance. He said that boilers are exceptionally reliable, durable and long-lasting. He suggested that we tear out the ancient radiators and replace them with baseboard heating. The boiler would still be used to heat water and deliver it through a series of pipes. The baseboards placed around the perimeter of the room would work to infuse heat into the air. Because of the heat entering the room at floor level, it keeps the warmest temperatures at lower levels rather than up by the ceiling. The baseboards operate silently, never become hot to the touch and provide a wonderfully even, clean and gentle comfort.

Central heating

About five years ago, my husband and I purchased a plot of land and began planning the design of our home.

We absolutely love the location, size and surroundings of the piece of property. We were determined to build a home that would satisfy our needs for our entire lives. It was important that the layout and our choices for essential systems would fulfill our requirements as a couple as well as a growing family. My husband and I devoted a great deal of time to research. We looked into everything from different types of roofing materials and windows to lighting and plumbing fixtures. One of our main concerns was determining the ideal heating and cooling system. Although the winters in our area are fairly mild, heating is a necessity. The summer heat and humidity tends to be brutal. We were looking for a system that would sufficiently handle temperature control while also keeping our bills and impact on the environment as low as possible. After debating over air conditioners, furnaces, boilers and ductless options, we came across heat pumps. We were initially interested in air-source heat pumps but then discovered geothermal systems. A geothermal heat pump is considered the most environmentally responble choice for temperature control by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The start-up cost is quite a bit higher than a more conventional options because of the excavation needed to install the underground loop system. However, the underground loop takes advantage of the free and renewable energy source provided by the sun. A geothermal heat pump offers efficiency ratings of 400%. It can cut the cost of heating and cooling in half.

Rooftop HVAC

This past winter, I noticed that cooking odors were lingering for a very long time.

The smell of anything I prepared for dinner could be identified in every room in the house.

Even upstairs in the bedrooms, the smell was strong and slow to dissipate. This got me worried about indoor air quality. My area is known for the severe winter weather. We need to keep the house sealed tight for more than half the year. The furnace runs just about non stop. There is no opportunity to bring in fresh air or get rid of the stale, stuffy air. Before I took proactive measures, I frequently needed to dust and vacuum. My whole family often sneezed, coughed and complained of headaches. While I’ve always been very conscientious about replacing air filters and scheduling professional maintenance for the heating system, I’ve never been overly concerned about the ductwork. I asked a licensed HVAC contractor to inspect the system, and he found a significan buildup of contaminants. He said that this dust and debris was absorbing odors. As the heated air passed through the system, the smells, dust, bacteria and other pollutants were becoming airborne and getting distributed throughout the living space. The contractor used a specialized piece of equipment that resembled an oversized vacuum cleaner to service the ductwork. He inserted a long hose with a brush attachment that worked to dislodge stubborn debris that was then sucked up. The process took a couple of hours but caused no mess or damage. After the duct cleaning, there was a significant improvement in the smell, cleanliness and comfort of the home. The furnace didn’t need to run as long to achieve the thermostat setting, resulting in lower utility bills. I’m hoping that the heating system will last longer.

 

Zone controlled HVAC

Last winter, I had a bit of a disaster with my furnace.

It quit while I was away on a work trip. The heating system was extremely old and not overly reliable. I had hoped that leaving the house empty for three days wouldn’t be a problem. The temperature dropped to negative twenty-five. With no heat, the water pipes freeze and burst, creating extensive damage. I not only needed to replace the furnace but also invest in repairs for the duct system, plumbing system, walls, ceilings and floors. It was an expensive, time-consuming and lengthy project. I had a huge mess to deal with. While the various contractors handled the job, I moved in with my brother. My brother makes a lot of money and has a gorgeous home. His house is outfitted with all of the latest and most convenient amenities. He has a hot tub, stainless appliances, granite countertops, a huge television and surround sound. He also has radiant heated floors. The heated floors are the best feature of the house. The entire system is totally concealed. There are no pipes, equipment or vents detracting from aesthetics. He doesn’t need to arrange his furniture to accommodate supply and return vents. The radiant flooring is entirely silent and perfectly clean. It spreads the heat evenly across the floor from wall to wall and corner to corner. There are no drafts or cold pockets. The radiant floors infuse heat into the air and also warm up every object sitting on the floor. The temperature from floor to ceiling doesn’t fluctuate further than three degrees from the thermostat setting. Plus, he has a thermostat in each room that allows him to customize the temperature setting. While I was staying with him, I was able to adjust the thermostat in the bedroom to my preference for comfort. I absolutely loved stepping out of bed or the shower onto warm floors. I never wanted to return home.

 

cooling system

When my husband and I purchased a home in the historical district, we were delighted with the antique light fixtures, stained glass windows and hardwood floors, doors and moldings. We were thrilled with the high ceilings, big kitchen and wide front porch. It didn’t occur to us how difficult the house would be to temperature control. The walls and ceilings are constructed of the original plaster and lath, and there has never been any conventional ductwork installed. Any repairs, changes or improvements we make to the house needs to be approved by the historical preservation society and the process is difficult and time-consuming. The preservation society is very particular about what they will allow. Any modernization is frowned upon. My husband and I weren’t eager to take on that fight or the mess and disruption of installing ductwork. However, our house was freezing cold in the winter and overheated and sticky in the summer. We were trying to manage comfort with electric baseboard heaters and window air conditioners. The big windows, high ceilings and overall age of the house were making it impossible to adequately heat and cool with portable units. I did some research and came across high velocity heating and cooling systems. This style of temperature control is specifically designed to retrofit into older homes that lack traditional ductwork. The system features mini-ducts that are only two-inches in diameter and flexible enough to route through existing walls without damage. The ducts are able to accommodate studs, plumbing pipes and electrical wires. They link to round vents that are only six-inches in diameter and blend seamlessly with the decor. The high velocity system delivers conditioned air at a very high rate of speed to quickly lower or raise room temperature. This system allowed us to preserve the historical integrity of the home and still enjoy centralized temperature control.

Heating corp