There are plenty of benefits to installing a new air conditioning system in your home, but many homeowners don't replace their old systems because they're looking for an upgrade. Instead, most people live with their air conditioners until they stop working or become too expensive to repair. Of course, replacing your system because you have to doesn't mean you can't also enjoy some upgrades.
Newer air conditioning systems can offer better efficiency, more comfort, and other benefits, but air quality is an overlooked advantage. Every home HVAC system works to keep the air in your house clean, but there are ways to do even better. Understanding how your HVAC system affects indoor air quality can help you choose a new system to provide the cleanest air possible.
What Factors Affect Indoor Air Quality?
Two primary factors impact air quality in your home: filtration strength and change rate. For most people, filtration strength is easier to understand. The better the filter in your HVAC system, the more contaminants you can remove from the air. Weaker filters can remove large particles such as pollen and dust, while stronger filters can stop bacteria, smoke, and viruses.
However, filtration alone isn't always enough to achieve the best possible air quality. After all, your filter only works if air passes through it, and that's where change rate comes into play. This value measures how often you replace a particular air volume per hour. In other words, a rate of 1 ACH (air change per hour) means you completely replace the air in a room once per hour.
These two factors together will determine how well your new air conditioning system can clean the air in your home. When designing a new HVAC system, it's critical to balance these two factors to meet your air quality and budget goals.
How Can Your New Air Conditioning System Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
Adding a stronger filter or increasing your air change rate per hour are the easiest ways to improve IAQ. However, you usually can't affect your indoor air change rate too much. AC manufacturers design their systems for specific airflow rates, and moving outside of that range can impact system efficiency and performance. Instead, many homeowners need to rely on better filtration.
The good news is that installing a new air conditioner is the best time to address this issue. For example, you can choose a system that works with thicker filters. Thicker filters provide less resistance to airflow and better overall filtering, allowing you to use higher-rated options or HEPA filters. On the other hand, retrofitting these filters into an older system can cause many potential issues.
If you want to go further, you can add upgrades such as whole-house dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and fresh-air ventilation systems. These systems pair well with a new AC installation, allowing you to achieve better air quality than is possible with an air conditioner alone. For more information, contact an air conditioning contractor near you.
