Contaminants didn’t use to be such a bad problem for our indoor air, believe it or not. Back in the day, homes were drafty and a strong outside wind could blow through your home and push contaminants like dust and dirt out. While that sounds like a good thing, it would make heating and air conditioning an absolute nightmare.
Today, we’re much more efficient with our HVAC solutions. We seal our homes up tightly so that cooled or heated air stays indoors where you can remain comfortable without using as much energy. This means your air is more contaminated than it used to be, and dust or dirt has nowhere to go but to stay inside.
Air filters in Sarasota, FL are the solution you might be looking for. If your indoor air quality has been poor, then an air filter can help keep those contaminants from becoming a problem. Let’s talk about how an air filtration system works and whether it’s right for your home.
What Does an Air Filter Do?
An air filtration system is much different than the air filter in your air conditioner or heater. For one thing, those filters are selfishly meant to protect the interior components of your air conditioner or heater, not you. While they might also protect you from contaminants, they’re not necessarily very good at it.
Air filtration systems are meant to filter the air that you breathe, specifically to help you. If you’ve been coughing or sneezing from dust or other allergens in the air, an air filter is specifically designed to help you breathe easier. So, it might be time to think about this type of indoor air quality solution.
How Does It Work?
An air filter is mounted in your air ducts. It’s made of microfibers that are built to trap any indoor contaminants that might be in your air. These can be things like dust, dirt, debris, pet dander, hair, and anything else that might be causing you distress. This can make a huge difference since those contaminants would normally be cycled through your air over and over again. Air filters are the only successful way to thoroughly remove contaminants in your air.
Air filters can also end that “stuffy” feeling in your air, while making your home seem odor-free as well. Odors are actually caused by particles in the air that are picked up by your nose. Those particles smell bad and they can only really be picked out of the air with an air filter or air purification system. Depending on the size of your air filter, many of these types of microbial contaminants that contribute to bad odors can be filtered out!
Call the Pros
An air filter should never be installed by an amateur. These systems are made of materials that can only be handled by trained professionals. When the breathability of your indoor air is on the line, why would you risk it with a faulty installation? Call our team for professional air filtration system installation today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Filtration
What does a whole-home air filtration system do?
A whole-home air filtration system helps remove airborne contaminants as air moves through your HVAC ductwork. Depending on the filter and system design, it may capture particles such as dust, dirt, pet dander, hair, and other debris before that air is recirculated through your home.
Is a whole-home air filter different from the filter in my air conditioner?
Yes. A standard HVAC filter mainly protects heating and cooling equipment from dust and debris, while a dedicated air filtration system is designed to improve the quality of the air circulating through the home. Whole-home filtration generally provides more targeted contaminant removal than relying only on a basic HVAC filter.
What types of particles can an air filtration system remove?
An air filtration system can capture many common airborne particles, including dust, dirt, debris, pet dander, and hair. The types and sizes of particles removed depend on the filtration system being used, so homeowners should choose equipment that is compatible with their HVAC system and indoor air quality needs.
What is the difference between an air filter and an air purifier?
An air filter physically traps particles as air passes through the filtration media, while an air purifier may use additional technology to address airborne contaminants. The right option depends on the type of indoor air quality problem you are trying to address. In some homes, filtration and purification may be used together as part of a broader indoor air quality strategy.
Should I have a whole-home air filtration system professionally installed in Sarasota or Bradenton?
Professional installation is recommended because a whole-home air filtration system must be properly matched and integrated with the home’s HVAC and duct system. McDonald Home Services can evaluate the existing equipment and recommend an air filtration solution for homes in Sarasota, Bradenton, and surrounding Manatee County areas.
The team at Jim McDonald & Sons Heating & Cooling Inc. can set you up with the right indoor air quality machine. Call us today! Cooling Sarasota and Manatee Counties since 1970.
Bob Bermudez, MBA, is the President and Owner of McDonald Home Services (Jim McDonald & Sons Heating & Cooling), a family-run HVAC and plumbing company serving Bradenton, Sarasota, and Manatee County since 1970. Before buying the company, Bob spent his career on the manufacturing and distribution side of HVAC — a background that shapes how he advises homeowners on equipment.