Ducted air purification
Ducted Whole-Home Air Purification Built Into Your Ontario HVAC System
Filtration and purification equipment installed in the return or supply ductwork of your furnace or air handler. We do not offer portable room units, and we explain what each option can and cannot do.
- TypeDucted, not portable
- OptionsHEPA, MERV media, electrostatic, UV
- HEPA brand exampleAmaircare
Serving the GTA and nearby OntarioScope
Where whole-home equipment connects to your ductwork
- Return-duct installation, so air is treated before it reaches the blower
- Supply-duct installation where return access is limited, with trunk size and sealing checked
- Furnace and air handler compatibility: blower capability, static pressure and filter rack space
- Deep media (MERV-rated) cabinets in place of a thin standard filter
- Ducted HEPA cabinets, including Amaircare units, where the layout allows
- UV lamp options mounted in the ductwork, covered on our UV air purifier page
- Airflow and static-pressure readings before and after installation
- Access for filter changes, plus a written maintenance schedule
Process
How we plan a ducted air purification upgrade
Every job starts with a conversation and a look at the equipment. You see the options in plain language before anything is booked.
- 1
Look at the system you have
We inspect the furnace or air handler, the filter cabinet, duct connections and the blower. We measure airflow and static pressure, because added filtration adds resistance. A system with little spare capacity changes what we recommend.
- 2
Explain the options in plain terms
We go through true HEPA, HEPA-style, bypass HEPA, MERV media and electrostatic products so you know what each is. For any specific product, we tell you which category it falls into, based on the manufacturer rating.
- 3
Choose return or supply placement
Most whole-home cabinets mount on the return so air is treated before the blower. A supply-side install suits some layouts. We confirm clearances for service access either way.
- 4
Install and seal
We mount the unit, connect the ductwork, seal joints, wire any controls and check furnace or air handler operation. Kelvin Mechanical works with licensed and qualified professionals and trade partners, depending on the project scope.
- 5
Verify and hand over
We recheck airflow and pressure, show you how to change media and give you a maintenance plan. You leave knowing what to expect from the system, and what not to. Use Build My Quote to start a request.
In pictures
What this work looks like
Kelvin job photo
Kelvin job photo
Kelvin job photoPhotos from Kelvin Mechanical jobs in the GTA and nearby Ontario.
Good to know
True HEPA, HEPA-style, bypass HEPA, MERV and electrostatic
True HEPA
Media rated to a recognized HEPA standard by the manufacturer. It resists airflow, so it usually sits in a dedicated cabinet with its own fan rather than in a standard furnace filter slot. We confirm the rating of the exact unit before we quote.
HEPA-style and bypass HEPA
HEPA-style is a marketing term and is not the same as true HEPA. Bypass HEPA draws a portion of return air through a HEPA module on its own fan and returns it to the duct, so only part of the system airflow is treated at any moment.
MERV media
Pleated media rated on the MERV scale. A deeper cabinet gives more surface area and less restriction than a thin filter. Higher ratings add resistance, so blower capacity decides what is suitable.
Electrostatic and electronic
Electrostatic filters use static charge on washable media. Electronic cells charge particles and collect them on plates. Both need regular cleaning, and you should read the product statements on ozone and performance.
Realistic expectations
A ducted system treats air as it passes through the HVAC system, so it works when the fan runs. It does not replace ventilation, source control or cleaning. We make no health claims and do not quote filtration percentages; ratings belong to specific products and appear in the manufacturer documents.
Ontario notes
Ontario notes for ducted air purification
Closed windows for most of the year
Ontario homes are sealed against the cold for months and against humid heat in summer, so indoor air circulates through the HVAC system more than in milder places. That makes the filter the main tool for what the system handles, while ventilation and source control still matter.
Older ducts and thin filter slots
Houses from the 1950s to the 1990s often have a one-inch filter slot, leaky joints and tight returns. Added filtration adds resistance, so we measure first. Sometimes the right first step is a deeper filter cabinet or duct sealing, not a more aggressive filter.
Smoke, pollen and renovation dust
Some Ontario summers bring smoke from distant fires, spring and fall bring pollen, and renovations stir up dust. Filtration treats the air that passes through the system, so the filter rating, run time and house leakiness all play a part. We set realistic expectations with you.
What to ask any installer
Ask which category the product is, such as true HEPA, bypass HEPA, MERV media or electrostatic. Ask for the manufacturer's documents and whether static pressure will be measured. Ask what the maintenance schedule is and what parts you will need. We answer all of these before a quote.
Equipment we install and service
Brand names and logos belong to their owners. Availability depends on the product line and region.
Help centre
Questions about Whole-Home Air Purification
Is a HEPA filter the same as a better furnace filter?
No. A true HEPA unit is rated to a defined standard and usually needs its own housing and fan. A deep MERV filter fits many systems with the right blower. We explain which one suits yours.
Will whole-home air purification strain my furnace?
It can if it adds too much resistance. We measure static pressure and check blower capability before choosing equipment, and we avoid forcing high-resistance filters into systems with limited capacity.
Can this go on a heat pump or air handler system?
Often yes, if the ductwork and blower have capacity for the unit. We check compatibility with your air handler or furnace before recommending a model.
Do you sell portable air purifiers?
No. We focus on ducted equipment installed in your HVAC system. If you want a room unit, a retailer is the right place.
What maintenance will I need?
Filters, media and any UV lamps need replacing on schedules set by the manufacturer and your conditions, and electrostatic cells need cleaning. We provide a schedule at hand-over. See air purifier service for support.
What MERV rating should I use in my furnace?
There is no single right number. A higher MERV rating catches smaller particles but adds resistance, and a thin filter slot or a weak blower may not cope. A deeper media cabinet allows a higher rating with less restriction. We measure static pressure and blower capacity first, then recommend a filter that suits the system.
Does my furnace fan need to run all the time for air purification to work?
Ducted equipment only treats air that passes through it, so it works while the fan runs. More run time means more air treated, but a continuous fan changes noise, power use and comfort. We talk through fan settings and how they suit your system and your home.
Can whole-home air purification help during wildfire smoke?
Filtration can capture fine particles from the air as it moves through the filter, so a suitable system can help reduce what circulates indoors. Results depend on the rating of the filter, the run time and how leaky the house is. We make no health claims, and we explain what the equipment can and cannot do.
Do I still need a regular furnace filter if I have a HEPA cabinet?
Often yes. A pre-filter protects the HEPA media and the blower from heavier dust and extends the life of the more expensive media. The exact arrangement depends on the product. We set out which filters stay and which are replaced as part of the plan.
Do electronic air cleaners and UV lamps produce ozone?
Some can, and lamp types differ. Health Canada advises against ozone generators, and some other air cleaners release ozone as a by-product. Check the product documentation for ozone statements, avoid anything that produces ozone and ask for the manufacturer's data before you buy. We explain the category each product belongs to and share the documentation on request. See UV air purifier page.
Can I install whole-home air purification with a ductless mini split?
Ducted equipment needs ductwork. A ductless system serves rooms through wall units with their own filters, so ducted purification does not apply to it. If your home also has a ducted furnace or air handler, we can treat that air stream. See ductless mini split installation.
Where in the house does a ducted air purifier get installed?
Usually on the return side next to the furnace or air handler, in the basement or mechanical room. It needs clear access for filter changes and enough space around the cabinet. We confirm the layout on a site review before suggesting any model.
Where we do this work
Whole-Home Air Purification in Toronto, the GTA and Hamilton
Toronto Mississauga Brampton Vaughan Markham Oakville Burlington Hamilton All service areas
Quote and booking
Request: Whole-Home Air Purification
Share a few details and we will follow up. A written quote comes after a site review. There is no online checkout.
- City and service type help us route your request
- Urgency and property details let us prepare properly
- Optional equipment photos speed up repairs and replacements
Prefer to talk? +1 905-407-7353
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