With advances in technology and new information coming out every year about the different ways to clean the air, it’s no wonder people are unsure of these differences. After all, people often say ‘Air Purifier’ when what they mean is ‘Air Sanitizer,’ and vice-versa.
The truth is that there are some pretty big differences between these two systems. Read on to discover what each does, how they do it, and each of their benefits.
What Is the Difference?
UV Air Sanitizers: UV stands for Ultraviolet Light, and it’s effective in neutralizing harmful particles that tend to float around in our air. Typically, an everyday AC system can trap many particles that come into the home, but not all of them.
Some experts estimate that indoor air quality in many homes is worse than outdoor air quality. When homeowners think about all the smog, dust, dirt, and grime that floats around outside, that’s a pretty scary thought.
UV air sanitizers use UV lights installed directly into their AC system to kill particles like mold, bacteria, and viruses. The amount of UV light used is completely safe, and they won’t even know that it’s there. The only evidence will be the cleaner air they breathe!
Air Purifiers: Air purifiers, on the other hand, use filters and a fan to remove particles from the air. The fan sucks air into the filter and moves it through the filters to eliminate many of the air particles. Many air purifiers are portable, so they can put them in a room and purify the air there. Some purifiers are available for integration into existing AC systems, but they’re a little rarer and more expensive.
When considering an air purifier, it’s best to determine what kind of air quality they’re looking for. They come with different filters and are rated based on the size of particles they have been shown to eliminate.
The best filters, for instance, are HEPA filters, which stand for high-efficiency particulate air. These filters are generally rated to remove up to 99.96% of airborne particles; however, homeowners should always confirm their system is compatible first.
The Benefits of Each System
UV air sanitizers are great because they are installed in the AC system, usually near the coils. This allows the UV light to kill harmful particles at the source so they don’t have a chance to enter the air.
They also don’t require that homeowners change an extra filter like they would on an air purifier. However, they will probably have to replace the light bulb or bulbs every two years or so.
Air purifiers are great because they’re relatively inexpensive and portable. If they want to buy one for a particular room, it’s pretty easy. They don’t have to have a professional install it because they can set it up quickly. However, they do take up space and require that they change the filter regularly.
Who Would Need One of These Systems?
While neither system is 100% effective at removing airborne particles, they both do a good job of eliminating many of them. As a result, they’re great for people who have allergies, lung problems, or are immunocompromised.
They’re also great for people who want to breathe cleaner air, particularly to improve sleep. For a whole-home system, UV air sanitizers are probably their best bet. But, if they want to put a purifier in their family room to keep the air clean, a purifier is the way to go. They can also place one in a household member’s room who suffers from allergies to help them breathe easier.
No matter which one a homeowner is considering, calling a local AC expert will get them an idea of what’s available in their area and what’s best for their home.
About Mid Florida A/C
Mid Florida A/C has been serving Melbourne since 1980. They’ve never stopped providing excellent service, competitive pricing, and stellar workmanship to mid-Florida residents in all those years. They’ve also maintained an A+ BBB rating for 37 years!