Can Whole-House Air Purifiers Kill COVID-19 Virus?
People have been asking us about using whole-house air purifiers to kill the COVID-19 virus. The virus is new, so scientists are still discovering its properties, but it is similar to other coronaviruses. We do know that the ways to filter out any airborne contaminants are to trap them, zap them or both.
Standard Central HVAC Air Filtration
Most home AC systems trap airborne particles in media filters one-to-four-inches thick. Filter efficiency is based on Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) of 1-20. The higher the number, the better the filter.
However, using a filter rated higher than your system was designed for will reduce the airflow, causing your HVAC to run more and wear out faster.
Most home HVAC systems use filters rated up to MERV 12, while commercial systems go up to MERV 16. MERV 12 removes particles measuring 1-3 microns with up to 80% efficiency.
HEPA Filters and UV Lights
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters (MERV 17-20) stop particulates as small as 0.3 microns more than 99% of the time. But the Mayo Clinic says the COVID-19 virus measures 0.12 – too small for a HEPA filter. Ongoing tests of UV lights in central HVAC systems show they can be effective against the COVID-19 virus, depending on the intensity of the bulbs and the length of time the virus is exposed to them.
Advanced Home Air Purification that Outperforms HEPA
Electronic whole house air purifiers offer another option. They trap up to 99% of contaminants as small as 0.1 microns by first zapping them with an electronic charge as air enters the device and then trapping them on collection cells with the opposite charge.
Some electronic purifiers use filters that must be changed every 6 to 12 months, compared to monthly or quarterly for standard filters. Some have metal collection cells you remove and hose off at six-month intervals.
These systems not only are more efficient collectors, they do not reduce airflow as the collection cells fill up. They rid your home of dust, pollen, mold and bacteria, as well as also cooking odors and tobacco smoke.
And the Answer Is…
To the original question, will any of these systems cleanse the air of the COVID-19 virus? It’s too early to know definitively until scientists develop more data. But, given the similarities of this virus to known viruses, the answer is a qualified yes.
Regardless, whole-house air purification devices provide the highest indoor air quality for your home, especially for asthma and allergy sufferers. billyGO offers most makes and models of whole house air purification equipment.
