Best Air Purifiers & Ionizers for HVAC System in 2023

Last updated on January 17th, 2023

Compared to portable air purifiers, air cleaners installed into the HVAC system filter the air inside the whole house and you won’t need an air purifier separately for each room.

I have compiled a list of the best air purifiers for HVAC that I had my hands on. Some of them use ions to clean the air, while others utilize HEPA filters or UV-C bulbs to remove pollutants.

iWave-R: Best HVAC Air Purifier & Ionizer

iWave-R is the number one air purifier & ionizer for your HVAC system I recommend for everyone to use. I have reviewed it in detail in my review, so go and check it.

This air purifier doesn’t generate airflow and has to be installed within a duct or near a fan inlet and then wired into the control panel of your HVAC.

Why iWave-R is number one? Because:

• Removes dust from the air;
• Helps people who suffer from sinus, allergies;
• Stops mold growth;
• Reduces odors;
• The unit is self-cleaning;
• Doesn’t require maintenance;
• Doesn’t produce ozone;
• Operates 24/7;
• House smells fresher after all.

The only major downside is that the warranty is non-existent if you install it yourself – however, the unit is built to work for years, and in my case, it wasn’t a problem at all.

Reme Halo: Best UV HVAC Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier

Reme Halo is another popular air purifier designed to be installed inside your HVAC system. It is often compared to the previously reviewed iWave-R, yet instead of ionization, it uses UV-C light to kill pollution inside the house.

Installation takes about two to two and a half hours, the unit can be wired to either your HVAC system or power supply. In the first case it will work only when HVAC is active whilst in the second it will work continuously 24/7. The UV-light lasts up to 2 years, and after that it has to be replaced with a new one.

After installation you might feel a slight ozone scent, it will go away after a few hours. The unit also releases a tiny amount of ozone into the air, approximately 0.05 PPM in 8 hours (0.10 PPM is the maximum amount of ozone allowed to be generated in a workplace).

The Reme Halo best know for removing unwanted smells (mold) or cigarette smoke. UV-C light can also inactivate viruses, so your chances of getting sick while at a place where this unit is installed also go down by a margin.

REKO Lighting R2000: Affordable HVAC UV Air Purifier

REKO Lighting R2000 is an affordable UV air purifier, designed to fit the HVAC duct. For under $100 you get two 253.7nm UV-C bulbs, plate, 9 feet 120v cord, the self drilling screws and manual. The total installation time is under 20 minutes when following the steps described in the manual.

Now to the question of “Does it work?“. From what I observed, it kills mold and mildew while at the same time removing dirty sock syndrome (foul-smelling odor produced by mold and mildew). The effects can be seen after at least 10 to 20 hours, but some have experienced improved air quality after 50 to 100 hours. So if you decide to get this air cleaner and don’t see results straight after you powered it up, just wait and let it run continuously for a few days.

The germicidal lamp is made in Europe and is of good quality – the lifespan is 9,000 hours or 375 days if run 24/7.

Frienda HVAC UV Light Sanitizer

Frienda HVAC UV Light Sanitizer is another cheap germicidal air purifier for your HVAC system and/or furnace. I haven’t personally tested it, but people praise it in their reviews and say it removed odors from their homes and improved their senses.

It also uses two germicidal lamps to kill germs, remove odors and prevent mold growth. It is rated for 1 – 5 ton systems, and the installation process is quick and easy. There are 2 additional bulbs in the box, so you’re packed with 4 bulbs in total that will work for 2 years. When the unit is working LED indicator goes green – if it doesn’t light up it means you have to replace UV-C lamps.

In the end, this is a cheap and maintenance-free air purifier for your HVAC system.

TRACS TM950: Powerful HEPA & UV Air Purifier

Finally, let’s take a look at the elephant in the room – TRACS TM950. While the previously reviewed models were designed mostly for homes and residential buildings, this one is built to work in large houses, commercial areas, restaurants, offices, schools and other crowded spaces that require a constant supply of clean and fresh air.

The TM950’s unit offers 3 mounting options:

• As a ceiling-mounted air purifier (2 x 4 drop ceiling);
• Stand-alone air scrubber;
• Exposed HVAC ductwork.

The air purifier uses a 3-stage air cleaning system that removes up to 99.97% of all harmful particles, including mold, construction dust, viruses, germs, bacteria, allergens and VOCs. The first stage employs a MERV 10 pre-filter, the next one uses a medical-grade HEPA H13 filter, and the last one includes two powerful 92W 254nm UV-C lamps to prevent the spread of flu and diseases.

This air cleaning system is currently installed in many medical facilities and laboratories all across the US. The company manufactures all air purifiers domestically, and the quality of its filters and lamps is top notch. The manufacturer also offers a 5-year warranty on all their products.

In the end, the Tracs TM950 is the best air purifier for the HVAC system when it comes to cleaning the air from pollutants and airborne particulates in large and crowded spaces.