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This article is sponsored by State Automatic Heating and Cooling.
You vacuum. You dust. You change your furnace filter every few months. And the air in your home probably still isn’t as clean as you’d think.
That's not a knock on your cleaning habits; it's just how central air works. Your HVAC system pulls the same air through your house over and over, which means anything too small for a standard filter to catch (like bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and odors) just keeps recirculating.
State Automatic, the Batavia-based HVAC company that's been serving the Tri-Cities for decades, says this is one of the most common things people misunderstand about their home's air.
Let’s look at what might be happening in your home — and what State Automatic recommends.
Why standard filters aren't the only answer
A furnace filter is designed to catch dust and large debris so it doesn't clog your system, not necessarily to sanitize the air.
Here’s what this means in practice (according to the EPA):
The gap: Mold spores, viruses, and bacteria can be small enough to pass straight through many residential filters.
The result: Because your system keeps circulating these same particles, pollutant levels indoors can end up several times higher than outside.
The reason it matters: Most people spend the large majority of their time indoors, so what's in that recirculated air matters more than most homeowners realize.
How an in-duct air purifier fills that gap
For homes that need it, State Automatic recommends a product called HALO LED, which works differently than a filter. Rather than recycling particle-filled air, it proactively attacks viruses, bacteria, allergens, mold spores, and odors.
Where it goes: It installs directly into your existing ductwork, so it doesn’t require a separate unit that takes up space in your home.
What it does: It sends naturally occurring purifying molecules through your air-conditioned spaces to reduce/eliminate harmful airborne pathogens, and it also clumps together the smallest dust particles so your regular filter can catch more of them. It helps with pet dander and cooking odors, too.
How long it lasts: The purifying cell is rated for up to five years, backed by a four-year cell warranty and a seven-year warranty on the unit itself — longer than most competing systems on the market.
Once you install the unit, it keeps working every time your system's fan kicks on.
A trusted local company
State Automatic has been serving Batavia-area homes since 1929, and they still approach every problem by putting their customers first.
Before recommending equipment, they'll take a close look at what's going on in your home: airflow, humidity, duct conditions, and what’s specifically causing any dust or allergy issues. Sometimes that points to an air purifier. Sometimes it leads to something else entirely.
If you're curious what's actually happening with your air, visit their website or call them at 630-879-8600 to ask about an assessment.
State Automatic Heating and Cooling is a sponsor of Tri-Cities Central.
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