Yes, using an air purifier in conjunction with air conditioning systems helps ensure the maximum number of pollutants are filtrated while providing a safe and comfortable air quality environment.
Understanding how air purifiers and air conditioners function, each device’s impact on air quality, and the differences between the two can help achieve a low-pollutant, comfortable breathing environment.
How do air purifiers work?
Air purifiers are air cleaning devices that suction and filtrate indoor air through high-density filters, capturing airborne pollutants and chemicals. HyperHEPA air purifiers can remove 99.5% of particles as small as 0.003 microns in size, reducing microscopic pollutants and harmful health risks, including asthmatic symptoms, respiratory complications, and heart disease. These pollutants can invade indoor spaces and stick to common surfaces, ranging in different particle types, such as:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Wildfire smoke
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Volatile organic compounds
- PM2.5, particulate matter as small as 2.5 microns in diameter
- PM10, particulate matter as small as 10 microns in diameter
Air purifiers work to produce clean air quality by eliminating harmful particles and invisible pollutants. However, not all air systems and products are considered air cleaning devices. Dual utilization of air cleaning tools alongside air conditioning systems is key to minimizing airborne pollutants while creating a comfortable breathing environment.
How does air conditioning work?
Air conditioners are cooling air units, controlling indoor temperature and humidity levels through a pressurized refrigerant cycle. Air conditioners pull in warm indoor air and pass the particles through cold evaporator coils containing refrigerant, which blows back a cooler breeze and decreases air temperatures overall. Within the refrigerant coil process, the warm indoor air evaporates into a gas, and the heated particles are released into the outdoor air (1).
Most air conditioning systems can inherently control and decrease humidity levels within indoor spaces as well. As warm air passes through the cold refrigerant coils, moisture is collected, condensed, and then released outdoors, lowering humidity levels and risks for mold growth (2). However, air conditioning systems are limited to temperature and humidity control, requiring dual utilization with air cleaning technology to achieve pollutant-free air quality.
What is the difference between an air purifier and an air conditioning system?
An air purifier is an air cleaning device that specifically removes airborne pollutants and produces clean air quality. Air purifiers can be used to address allergen symptoms, respiratory concerns, and indoor pollutant exposure levels. Without air cleaning devices, pollutants are not removed from the air, and invisible pollutants may spread and stick to common surfaces.
Air conditioning systems are cooling units that can control indoor air temperatures and a limited range in humidity levels. Air conditioners are often used to provide added comfort in air temperatures and decrease mold growth risks, but these systems cannot reduce pollutant exposure or maintain clean air quality.
To create temperate and safe indoor air quality conditions, dual utilization of air cleaning tools and air conditioners can help create a comfortable breathing environment for all. Whole house air purifiers can also provide comprehensive air quality improvement through 2-in-1 filtration and temperature control action.
Is it safe to run an air purifier while air conditioning is on?
Yes, dual utilization of air purifiers and air conditioning systems is safe, especially if the devices run simultaneously. Air purifiers and built-in air conditioners use two separate electrical inputs, guaranteeing a fuse or outlet won’t be overloaded. Air purifiers and air conditioners address separate air concerns and do not conflict in terms of performance or safe utilization.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends dual utilization of air purifiers and larger HVAC systems to provide multilayered pollutant filtration and comprehensive air quality comfort throughout all rooms and enclosed spaces within a home (3). For full coverage protection, attachable filters and HVAC air purifiers can add an extra layer of airborne pollutant defense and filtration.
Clean air methods alongside air conditioning
Air conditioning systems are excellent devices for lowering indoor temperatures and humidity levels, but additional air cleaning methods may be needed for comprehensive air quality protection. Daily practices and routine cleaning can help reduce airborne pollutant levels before exposure can occur. In conjunction with air quality tools, these routine practices can provide full coverage pollutant protection and filtration, including:
- Advanced air cleaning filtration: Utilize a HyperHEPA air purifier while air conditioning runs for maximum filtration, attach whole house air purifiers or filters to existing HVAC systems, and employ extended daily runtimes for air cleaning devices.
- Targeted source control: Avoid scented chemical cleaning products, routinely disinfect common surfaces, and vacuum carpets to remove lingering pet hairs or loose fibers.
- Open-air ventilation: Install an air quality monitor to know when ventilation is safe, open windows during low outdoor pollutant levels, and utilize fans when cooking to increase airflow out towards windows.
Achieving a comfortable, pollutant-free breathing environment relies on advanced air purifier filtration, temperate air conditioning controls, and daily clean air practices to create a safe space for everyone in the household.
Conclusion
Dual utilization of air purifiers and air conditioners is not only safe, but also recommended by experts to maintain safe breathing conditions and a comfortable living environment. Air purifiers and AC units tackle two completely separate indoor air concerns, requiring dual utilization for a comprehensive air quality solution.
Employ both air purifiers and an air conditioning unit to ensure every room within a household is receiving clean, comfortable air quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it more expensive to run an air purifier and air conditioning system together?
Yes, running an air purifier and HVAC system together may slightly increase electrical usage and utility bills. However, most air purifiers are energy-efficient and utilize low electrical wattages, making the added costs minimal while providing cleaner, healthier at-home air quality.
Does air conditioning improve air quality?
No, air conditioning systems specifically improve personal comfort by regulating indoor temperatures and humidity. Air conditioning may achieve personal comfort, but hidden invisible pollutants could still roam free within indoor spaces.
To improve air quality, employ a HyperHEPA air purifier to capture 99.5% of ultrafine pollutant particles up to 0.003 microns in size, including wildfire smoke, pet dander, pollen, dust, and traffic emissions.
Can an air purifier replace air conditioning systems?
No, air purifiers are designed to capture and remove airborne pollutants while air conditioning systems regulate indoor temperatures and humidity. Both devices are built to address separate indoor air concerns and cannot be replaced by each other.
However, certain types of air purifiers can be combined with larger HVAC systems to provide full coverage air quality protection and comfort. The PerfectPro Whole House Air Purifier connects seamlessly with existing airducts to filtrate ultrafine particles, allergens, and viruses, while HVAC systems provide temperature and humidity control.
Do you need an air purifier if you have an HVAC system?
Yes. HVAC systems could prevent some larger outdoor pollutants from entering indoor air, but these devices are inefficient in collecting ultrafine particles and allergens. Air cleaning technology and air purifiers are essential tools to properly remove harmful airborne pollutants and viruses, capturing microscopic particles and reducing health risks.
