Can an AC be used as an Air Purifier? The Engineering Verdict

As we face rising pollution levels in Indian metros, many of my readers ask: "I already have an AC; why do I need a separate air purifier?" While modern ACs are marketing "PM2.5 filtration" and "UV Nano" features, from a mechanical engineering perspective, an AC and an Air Purifier are built for two fundamentally different jobs.

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🛠️ How an AC "Cleans" Air (and its limits)

Standard Air Conditioners are designed for Thermal Comfort, not respiratory health. Their primary job is to move air over a cooling coil.

1. Basic Mesh Filters: Every AC has a plastic mesh filter. Its main purpose isn't to protect your lungs; it's to protect the cooling coils from getting choked with large dust particles.
2. The Airflow Problem: An AC's fan is optimized for volume, not pressure. It isn't strong enough to pull air through a dense, medical-grade HEPA filter without burning out the motor.

But a new innovation air-purifier filter for ACs by 'AIRTH' (Filtrix) developed with technology from IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore, works to make an AC to work as an Air-purifier as explained below:

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🚀 Product Spotlight: The AIRTH (Filtrix) Innovation

While most AC filters are just simple mesh, the AIRTH Winter Filter is a specialized engineering solution developed by teams from IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore.

👨‍🔧 Why this works for Indian Winters:

As an engineer, the most impressive part of this tech is the Low Pressure Drop.

• The Airflow Balance: Normally, a thick HEPA filter would choke an AC fan, causing it to overheat. FILTRIX uses a "Partial Coverage" and "3D Filtration" design that cleans the air through multiple passes while keeping the AC fan motor safe.
• Fan-Only Mode: During the peak smog months (Nov-Jan), you don't need cooling. By running the AC in Fan Mode (consuming only ~40W, like a ceiling fan), this filter scrubs the room's air for a fraction of the cost of a standalone purifier.
• Antimicrobial Green Coating: The filter doesn't just "catch" germs; it uses plant-based polymers to deactivate them, preventing the filter itself from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Filter to convert an AC into an Air-Purifier: 🛒 Filter convert AC to Air-Purifier

⚖️ Side-by-Side: AC vs. Standalone Air Purifier

Feature	Modern Split AC (with PM2.5)	Standalone Air Purifier
Filter Grade	Usually MERV 8-11 (Basic)	True HEPA (H13) (Medical Grade)
Pollutant Target	Large dust, some pollen	PM2.5, Viruses, Bacteria, VOCs
Operation	Only filters while cooling	Runs 24/7 independently
Odour Removal	Minimal	Active Carbon (Removes smoke/smells)

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👨‍🔧 How to Maximize Your AC's "Purifying Power"

If you aren't ready to buy a dedicated unit yet, you can "upgrade" your AC's engineering:

1. Retrofit HEPA Filters

You can now buy "AC Air Purifier" sheets (like those from Airth described above). These are electrostatically charged and work with your existing AC.

2. Run the "Fan-Only" Mode

During winter months (when you don't need cooling), you can run your AC in Fan Mode. If you have upgraded filters installed, the AC acts as a large-room air circulator/scrubber consuming only about the same power as a ceiling fan.

3. Utilize UV & Ionizer Modes

If your LG or Panasonic AC has a "UV Nano" or "Nanoe-G" button, use it! While it won't remove dust, it helps neutralize bacteria on the cooling coils themselves, preventing that "musty" AC smell.

Further Reading in this Series:

• Why Inverter AC is the Best Choice
• Understanding ISEER & Star Ratings
• 3-Star vs 5-Star: The Savings Calculator
• Top 5 Most Efficient 5-Star ACs in India