Whole House Air Cleaner Installation

Considerations

• There are many types of whole house air cleaning devices on the market, and the efficacy and ease of use of each are subject to debate. Ozone ionizer purifiers, ultraviolet light systems, and self-charging electrostatic air filters are some fancy names given to the devices that all purport to do one thing---clean the air of your home of dust, bacteria, and allergens. All of these devices have one thing in common in that they will generally be installed near furnaces or central air units. According to the EPA, in-duct devices are subject to installation regulations for ease of access during repair or routine maintenance.

Components

• Most whole-house air cleaning systems have similar installation components that must be connected to your ductwork in order to be effective. The system will include a clean air feed, which must be installed as close as possible to the furnace's air intake. A return air feed, which connects to the system, is adjoined to the furnace air intake, while the clean air feed will connect to the return air duct of the furnace. This results in clean air being pumped through the return air duct after it has been filtered through the system.

How is It Installed

• Some whole-house air cleaners come packaged with installation instructions to allow you to do it yourself. Some products recommend that a trained professional undertake the job to ensure that it is done properly. Installation generally takes less than one hour and costs less than $100. A certified HVAC professional will also be able to explain how to use the cleaner after it is installed, how to maximize its efficacy, and how to save on electricity costs after you've purchased one. Whatever you choose, make sure that the unit is properly installed and working before using it---after all, there's no need to waste the money on the unit and the electricity used to power it if it is not running properly.