Washing your hands alone isn’t enough to protect against airborne diseases. Air conditioners with air purifiers can cool your home and clean your air through its built-in air filtration system. Many air conditioning units have air purifiers that can remove up to 99% of allergens, mould, bacteria, and viruses. This improves indoor air quality and helps prevent infections among family members or employees.
Global Cool Air offers air purifier air conditioner solutions to enhance the air quality in your home’s air conditioning system.
Learn more about the benefits of air conditioning with air purification.
What Is An Air Purifier?
Air purifiers clean the air by removing contaminants. Some use advanced oxidation plasma to neutralise over 99% of microorganisms and allergens, such as dust, pollen, secondhand smoke, and other harmful particles. This can help prevent allergies and respiratory issues.
Three types of air purifiers stand out: standalone units that can be moved around, split system units for wall-mounted air conditioners, and ducted system units that can be installed or retrofitted.
We can help you choose the right air purification solution for your needs.
How Does an Air Purifier Work?
Air purifiers don’t change the temperature of the air. They only clean the air.
The main job of air purifiers is to remove particles and contaminants from the air. These include pollen, bacteria, mould, smoke, pet dander, and odours.
These allergens can cause respiratory problems and illnesses.
There are two main types of air purifiers: HEPA filters and ionisers.
- HEPA filters trap pollutants in an AC air filter as air passes through.
- Ionisers release negative ions that attach to contaminants, making them fall to the ground.
Some air purifiers also have activated carbon filters. These AC air filters remove odours.
Air purifiers don’t reduce humidity. They improve indoor air quality by cleaning the air.
You can choose a portable air purifier for one room or a whole-house system like air conditioners with air purifiers.
Advantages of Using an Air Purifier
Air purification offers many benefits. Since we spend much time indoors, we’re more likely to be exposed to pollutants that can harm our lungs. Air purifiers effectively remove these airborne contaminants.
An air conditioning air purifier can be a great solution for allergies, asthma, or hay fever. They can remove up to 99.97% of particulate matter from the air, providing clean and safe breathing for everyone.
Air purifiers can also help with smoke from bushfires or tobacco smoke.
Indoor toxins from everyday products like cleaning supplies and personal care items can build up.
If you’re worried about these risks, consider getting an air conditioner with air purifiers.
Air Conditioning Air Purifier Brands
Many air conditioner brands offer air conditioning air purifier that have ionisation-based air purification filters, often in their newer or higher-end models.
Some air conditioners with air purifiers examples include:
- Daikin Air Conditioning: Streamer Technology and deodorising filters
- Fujitsu Air Conditioning: Ionization and catechin filters
- Hitachi Air Conditioning: Wasabi Nano Titanium filter, FrostWash cleaning system, and others
- LG Air Conditioning: Ion generator
- Mitsubishi Air Conditioning: Plasma Quad Connect filter
Are Air Purifiers Compatible With Air Conditioners?
Air conditioners can clean the air, but do they do it as well as air purifiers? And can they work together effectively?
Yes, air purifiers can work with air conditioners. Air conditioners don’t purify air. While their filters remove particles, they can’t fully clean the air. A high-quality AC air filter will do a better job, but no residential filter can completely purify the air.
Air conditioners primarily heat and cool air, but they also reduce humidity and clean the air. Air purifiers specifically clean air. So, the question is whether air conditioners and air purifiers can work well together.
Although they have different functions, they can work together.
You might need an air conditioning air purifier if:
- You have respiratory problems or allergies.
- You want to reduce dust, pollen, or pet dander.
- You want to remove odours from cooking, smoke, pets, or mould.
- You want fewer bacteria and viruses in the air.
You might also need an air conditioner if:
- You want heating and cooling.
- You work from home and need climate control.
- You need to reduce humidity.
Using an air purifier and an air conditioner is likely the best option for most people. If you’re considering installing an air conditioner, consult an air conditioning specialist for the best results.
Can an Air Conditioner With Air Purifier Purify the Air?
Should you get a separate air purifier, or will the AC air filter in your air conditioner be enough?
You might wonder if air conditioners can also purify air. While air conditioners air filter out dust, they might be less effective than standalone air purifiers.
Many air conditioner brands offer air purification features, often using ionisation filters. These filters can help keep indoor air clean but might not be as powerful as HEPA filters in air purifiers.
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
Air conditioners cool indoor spaces by pulling warm air out and replacing it with cooler air. This also helps reduce humidity. Just turn the ideal temperature and you’re good to go
While air conditioners can purify air, it’s not their primary function. Dust filters in air conditioners can help a little, but they aren’t designed to remove smoke or other pollutants.
Some air conditioners have special air purification filters.
While Air Conditioner Air Filters Can Trap Dust, They Won’t Remove Smoke or Germs
All air conditioners have a dust filter. This aircon air filter catches dust from the air as it circulates, preventing it from clogging the air conditioner.
However, dust filters are not very fine. They might not do much to remove smoke, mould, germs, or tiny particles.
Check your air conditioner’s manual to learn how to access and clean the filters. Clean filters allow better airflow and help your air conditioner work more efficiently.
Air Purifier Vs Air Filter
Air purifiers are designed to remove much smaller particles than air filters. Some can even destroy mould in air conditioner, bacteria, and viruses, differentiating them from aircon air filters.
Why Air Purifier Matters
Air purification is important for people with high-risk health conditions. This includes those with asthma, COPD, chronic allergies, and the very young or elderly. These groups are more sensitive to poor indoor air quality. While an air purifier can’t guarantee good health, it can help you breathe easier by reducing irritants.
Virus Prevention at Home
Interest in air purification has skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic. People are looking for ways to protect themselves in their homes. While we can’t guarantee 100% protection, air purifiers can help reduce the spread of viruses.
What Are the Most Effective Aircon Air Filters?
Standard air conditioner air filters aren’t enough for air purification.
Many air conditioners have air purification features but often use ionisation filters. These filters can remove some smoke but are mostly effective at removing fine dust, mould, odours, allergens, and germs.
Some air conditioners also have catechin-based filters. These filters use plant extracts to kill bacteria and mould.
HEPA filters are the best option for people with health problems. They filter out smoke, mould, pollen, and viruses.
HEPA filters work best at low airflow, making them unsuitable for most air conditioners, which need to move a lot of air.
What Is an Ionisation Filter?
Air conditioners with air purification often use ionisation filters. There are different types, like photocatalytic and plasma stream filters.
Ionisation filters can remove some smoke. They are mainly effective at removing fine dust, mould spores, odours, allergens, and germs.
How Do Ionisation Filters Purify the Air?
Ionisation filters in air conditioners use charged particles to trap or destroy pollutants. These particles can be spread throughout the room or generated on a special plate inside the air conditioner.
The ions attach to pollutants, breaking them down, becoming negatively charged and sticking to a positively charged plate, or falling to the ground.
Ionisation filters are usually located behind the dust filters and don’t require regular cleaning or replacement by users. However, like any electronic device, a technician might eventually need to replace them.
HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are best for removing very fine particles. They’re often found in vacuum cleaners and air purifiers but not in air conditioners.
HEPA filters work better at low airflow. This means they can’t be easily used in most home air conditioners, which need to move a lot of air.
In the future, air conditioners with HEPA filters might be available.
Kelvinator has some models with “air freshening” filters, sometimes HEPA or Bio-HEPA.
These filters might not provide much purification. Small inserts on the main dust filter, so only a tiny amount of air might pass through them.
Air Conditioner With HEPA Filter
What is a HEPA filter, and is it right for you? HEPA filters can help keep your home’s air clean throughout the year. Whether buying a new air conditioner or upgrading, this guide can help you decide if a HEPA filter is a good choice.
How Does a HEPA Filter Air Conditioner Work?
HEPA filters are highly effective at removing particles from the air. They can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and particles as small as 0.3 microns. This is why they’re used in medical settings.
Home air conditioners can also install HEPA filters to improve air quality. However, they might reduce airflow and increase the cost of the air conditioner.
Mechanism Behind HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are mechanical air filters that trap harmful particles like dust mites, dander, pollen, mould, and tobacco smoke. They have a fine mesh with pleats and fibres that catch particles of different sizes. Air passes through HEPA filters through diffusion, interception, and impaction.
When Should I Change My HEPA Filter?
You should typically replace your HEPA filter every 12 to 18 months. However, the exact timing depends on the air quality in your area, how often you use your air conditioner and other factors.
Air purifiers use washable or permanent filters. Regardless of the type, you should clean or replace them regularly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of HEPA Filter Air Conditioner
HEPA filters have benefits and drawbacks when it comes to cleaning air.
Pros:
- Remove very small particles
- Have a large surface area for filtering
- Are often built into air purifiers and cleaning appliances, making them more available and affordable
Cons:
- Don’t remove all particles
- Can reduce airflow in air conditioners
- Might not be suitable for all homes
Important Considerations for Buying a HEPA-Filter Air Conditioner
When buying a HEPA filter air conditioner, consider these factors:
- Respiratory issues or asthma: HEPA filter air conditioner can benefit households with people suffering from these conditions.
- Cost: HEPA filter air conditioners are more expensive to install or purchase in a unit.
Compare different air conditioner brands to find the right one for you.
Odour-Removing Filters With Catechin
Some air conditioners have catechin-based filters. Catechin is a plant substance that kills fungi and bacteria. These filters trap and destroy bacteria, mould spores, and other small particles.
Deodorising filters can be carbon, electrostatic paper, or other types.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Using These Filters?
Ionisation filters usually last the entire air conditioner life and don’t need cleaning. However, other filters, like deodorising and catechin, might need cleaning and replacement. Replacement filters can get expensive, so consider whether they’re worth the cost. Check your air conditioner’s manual for more information.
Ionisation can produce small amounts of ozone, which can irritate breathing. This factor might be worth considering if you have asthma or other respiratory problems.
Potential Dangers of Using Non-Genuine Air Purifier Filters
If your air conditioner doesn’t have a built-in air purifier, you might consider buying an aftermarket filter. These filters are often described as electrostatic, activated carbon, or similar. They claim to work with many air conditioner brands and can sometimes be adjusted to fit different models.
However, be careful with aftermarket filters. They might not be fully tested for all air conditioner brands, and using them could reduce your air conditioner’s performance, damage it, or void your warranty.
When Should I Change My Air Conditioner Air Filter?
How often you need to replace your air conditioner’s filter depends on your household. Factors like how much you use your air conditioner, the fan speed, outdoor pollution, indoor pollutants, and filter maintenance affect its lifespan.
We recommend having your filter tested during a professional air conditioner service. An annual service is a good time to use a particulate counter to check your filter’s effectiveness. Technicians can also inspect and clean hidden parts of your air conditioner and identify potential problems.
To learn more about air conditioning with air purifiers, contact Global Cool Air. We offer free quotes and reliable solutions to protect your family.
How Global Cool Air Can Help
Global Cool Air offers products and air conditioning supplies that can improve indoor air quality. Call us for a free consultation to learn how air conditioners with air purifiers can work with your air conditioner and heating system.
