I'm remodeling my basement and want to enhance the indoor air quality for my entire house (about 2300 sq ft with a single-zone HVAC and a Lennox ML296V furnace). My main concerns are filtering out wildfire smoke, allergens, mold, and pet dander since my wife has allergies and we have pets. This project will be professionally installed, so I'm not looking to DIY. I'm considering several systems: the Fantech HERO 120H (inline HEPA), the Airwash Whisper 675 (bypass HEPA), and UV systems like APCO or Blue-Tube. I have a few specific questions: Is the bypass system like the Airwash an effective option? Should I combine HEPA with UV, or would that be overkill? Is there a better setup out there? Also, I currently have a 25x20x1 filter at the base of the furnace—will that need to stay or be relocated if I install one of these new systems? I'd appreciate any insights from those who have experience with these setups. Thanks!
5 Answers
When I built my house last year, I decided on an ERV for air exchange, a 25x20x4 MERV 13 filter for my HVAC, and a HALO-LED air purifier that activates with the blower. Plus, I added a whole home humidifier—all of these are working really well together!
All these systems are interconnected. Have you thought about adding bipolar ionization to your setup? My advice is to install a 2" or 4" filter rack and keep increasing the MERV ratings until you hit a point where your furnace starts struggling. This could be the most cost-effective way to boost your air quality without going overboard.
It's worth noting that a lot of the things you're worried about can be filtered out by a standard MERV 13 filter. But if you want to go all out, getting a small filter for each room can be effective too. Just be sure to do your research on what works best for your specific needs!
You might want to look into commercial solutions, as the residential options can be somewhat limited. The Camafil CC400 is a great option since it allows you to customize filters based on what you want to eliminate. Check it out!
Great points! But don't forget about your stove vent—how does it draw air? If it's not using a makeup air system that's filtered, you could be letting in more contaminants every time you cook. It might counteract all your filtration efforts!
Exactly! It's all about finding that balance. Make sure your system can handle the filters you choose.