Do ducted air source heat pumps filter fine particles out of indoor air?
A ducted air source heat pump (ASHP) provides heating and cooling by extracting heat from outside into your home in winter and pulling the heat out of your home in the summer. Ducted ASHP systems can be installed and connected to the conventional forced-air ductwork system that is typical of most American homes.
A ducted ASHP generally does not determine whether a home HVAC system can filter fine particles out of the air. ASHPs are typically connected to a forced-air ductwork system. The forced-air system as a whole must be able to accommodate a high-efficiency filter to effectively filter fine particles from the indoor air. Note also that HVAC filters work to filter the air only when the system is operating.
EPA recommends using a filter rated MERV 13, or as high a rating as the system fan and filter slot can accommodate. Make sure the filter fits snugly so air does not leak around the filter, and you do not have to bend or crush the filter to make it fit. You may need to consult a professional HVAC technician to determine the highest efficiency filter that will work best for your system.
If your forced air system cannot accommodate a high-efficiency (MERV 13 or higher) filter, consider using a portable air cleaner to filter particles from the indoor air. Learn more about selecting air cleaners and filters in EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home.
For more information on ducted air source heat pumps, visit:
• EPA’s Heat Pumps
• Energy Star’s Air-Source Heat Pumps
• Department of Energy’s Air-Source Heat Pumps