Do Air Purifiers Work? How Air Purifiers Work
Do air purifiers work? Yes — air purifiers are designed to process indoor air using filtration or other air-cleaning technologies, though how well a given unit performs depends on its design, technology and installation. Depending on the type of air purifier, the system may use mechanical filtration, electronic air cleaning, activated carbon or other technologies to address airborne particles, odors or gases.
Air purifiers are available in both whole-home and portable configurations. Whole-home air purifiers work with a compatible HVAC system, while portable air purifiers are designed for individual rooms or spaces. The right option for your home depends on factors such as the type of air purifier, its intended application and the size of the area being served.
Understanding how different air purifiers work can help you compare your options, including whole-home air purifiers like Carrier's Infinity® Air Purifier, Performance™ Carbon Air Purifier with UV, and Comfort™ EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter.
What Does an Air Purifier Do?
An air purifier processes indoor air using one or more air-cleaning technologies before returning that air to the room or distributing it through the HVAC system. Depending on the product, air may pass through filter media or another type of air-cleaning component as part of this process.
Different air purifiers use different technologies, so understanding how each type works is important when comparing options for your home.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
How an air purifier works depends on the technology it uses. Some air purifiers rely on filters that collect particles as air passes through the filter media. Others use electronic air-cleaning technologies or activated carbon to target gases and odors.
Here is a closer look at common types of air purifiers and air-cleaning technologies:
1. Mechanical Air Filters
Mechanical air filters use filter media to collect airborne particles as air passes through the material. They are available in different sizes, designs and filtration ratings.
Common examples include standard furnace filters, pleated filters and HEPA filters. The appropriate filter depends on the equipment and application.
Air filters should be replaced according to the filter manufacturer's instructions. HVAC system requirements should also be considered when selecting replacement filters.
2. Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators, or ESPs, are electronic air cleaners that electrically charge airborne particles. The charged particles can then be attracted to oppositely charged collector plates or other collection media.
Depending on the equipment, collector plates may require cleaning or collection media may require periodic replacement. Homeowners should follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations.
3. Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers use electrically charged ions as part of their air-cleaning process. Depending on the design, charged particles may settle onto nearby surfaces or be collected within the air-cleaning equipment.
Because ionic air purifiers can differ in their design and operation, homeowners should review the specifications and instructions for the specific product they are considering.
4. Activated Carbon and Adsorbent Filters
Adsorbent filters use materials such as activated carbon. Adsorption refers to a process in which certain substances adhere to the surface of the adsorbent material as air passes through it.
Activated carbon is commonly incorporated into air-cleaning products intended to address certain odors and gaseous compounds. Capabilities vary by filter and product, so homeowners should review manufacturer specifications when comparing options.
5. UV Lights
UV lights used in HVAC systems emit ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light. They are typically installed near the indoor evaporator coil, where UV-C light can reach illuminated portions of the coil and nearby surfaces.
In HVAC applications, UV-C light can be directed at surfaces where mold (Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus niger1) and bacteria may be present. The UV-C light works where it reaches, so lamp placement, coverage and potential obstructions are important considerations.
UV lights should be installed by a qualified HVAC professional, and the light should be turned off before equipment is inspected or serviced.
Whole-Home vs. Portable Air Purifiers
One consideration when choosing an air purifier is whether you want a whole-home or portable solution.
A whole-home air purifier is integrated with compatible HVAC equipment and processes air as it moves through the system.
A portable air purifier is designed to operate within an individual room or area. Portable models can be useful when air cleaning is desired in a specific space rather than through a central HVAC system.
The right approach depends on your home's HVAC equipment, the area you want to address and the type of air-cleaning technology you are considering.
What Do MERV and CADR Mean?
MERV measures how well an HVAC filter captures particles of different sizes, while CADR measures the volume of filtered air a portable unit delivers—so the two ratings should not be treated as interchangeable.
MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a rating used for HVAC air filters. MERV ratings provide information about a filter's ability to capture particles of different sizes. When choosing an HVAC filter, it is important to select one appropriate for your specific HVAC equipment.
CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, is a rating used with portable air cleaners and represents the volume of filtered air delivered for specified particle types. CADR ratings can help homeowners compare portable air-cleaning products.
Examples of Whole-Home Air Purifiers from Carrier
Whole-home air purifiers integrate directly with your HVAC system, so comparing specific models can help illustrate how the technologies discussed above translate into real products.
Infinity® Air Purifier (DGAPA)
The Infinity Air Purifier is a whole-home purification system that uses a MERV 15 filter to trap up to 95% of airborne particles as small as 1.0 microns, according to Carrier's third-party testing. It operates in-line with your HVAC system to minimize airborne pollutants like pollen, dust and pet dander, and it is available in various sizes to fit most homes.
Performance™ Carbon Air Purifier with UV (UVCAP)
The Performance Carbon Air Purifier with UV combines an activated carbon core with UV-C light in a single whole-home unit. According to Carrier, the carbon core helps reduce odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and household gases, while the UV light helps reduce the growth of select mold (Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus niger1) on the evaporator coil, which can otherwise block heat transfer to the refrigerant. Maintenance involves replacing the carbon core annually and the UV bulb every two years.
Comfort™ EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter (EZXCAB)
The Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter is a whole-home solution built around a deep-pleated filter. With its included MERV 10 filter, Carrier reports it captures up to 65% of particles sized 1.0–3.0 microns, and it is upgradeable to a MERV 13 filter for finer filtration. Its low-pressure-drop design helps your HVAC system run efficiently and reduces the risk of coil freeze-ups, while an insulated cabinet helps maintain comfort and reduce condensation.
These whole-home air purifiers are backed by Carrier's Consumer Choice Warranty, which lets eligible, timely-registered equipment owners select either a 10-year parts-only limited warranty or a 5-year parts plus 3-year labor limited warranty.
Are Air Purifiers Worth It?
Whether an air purifier is worth considering depends on your home, HVAC equipment and what you want the air purifier to address.
Before choosing an air purifier, consider:
- Whether you want a whole-home or portable air purifier
- The type of filtration or air-cleaning technology used
- The size of the space being served
- Filter replacement or maintenance requirements
- Compatibility with your existing HVAC equipment
- Manufacturer specifications and ratings
Looking at these factors can help you compare air purifier options based on their intended application rather than relying on a single feature or technology. Learn more about air purifier benefits.
Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
Air purifiers are designed to process indoor air using specific filtration or air-cleaning technologies, and how an individual air purifier performs depends on its design, filtration technology, installation and intended application.
No single air-cleaning technology addresses every indoor air quality consideration. Mechanical filtration, electronic air cleaning, activated carbon, UV lights and other technologies perform different functions within an indoor air quality system—for example, a mechanical filter is better suited for capturing dust and dander, while an activated carbon filter works best for odors and VOCs, and UV lights address mold and bacteria on HVAC surfaces rather than airborne particles.
Understanding those differences can help you determine which type of air purifier is appropriate for your home. Learn more about do air purifiers help with dust?
Talk to a Carrier Dealer About Air Purifiers
If you're considering a whole-home air purifier, your local Carrier dealer can review your HVAC equipment and discuss the best air purifier for your home.
A Carrier dealer can help you understand the differences between available air purifier technologies—including the Infinity Air Purifier, Performance Carbon Air Purifier with UV, and Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter—and discuss options based on your HVAC system and home.
About The Author: Ryan Mayes is a Senior Digital Brand Marketing Manager at Carrier who focuses on creating clear, helpful resources on HVAC topics. Ryan’s goal is to guide readers toward smart, confident decisions about their indoor comfort.
About The Expert Reviewer: Chrystal Jolliffe is a Product Manager for Residential Indoor Air Quality at Carrier Corporation, where she focuses on developing innovative indoor air quality solutions that help homeowners create healthier, more comfortable living environments. Chrystal's goal is to help consumers better understand indoor air quality products so they can make informed decisions about improving the air inside their homes.