Whole-home vs. plug-in purifiers
The most common alternative homeowners consider is a portable HEPA unit from a big-box store. Here's the honest, fact-checked comparison.
Plug-In Purifier
NuLeaf REME HALO®Zero
Coverage
One room at a time — rated by CADR for a specific square footage
Every room, every closed door, every floor — through your ductwork
How it runs
Only works when it's on, in that room, and someone remembered to run it
Passive and continuous — always on with your HVAC system, 24/7
What it treats
Air pulled into the unit through a filter
Air and surfaces throughout your entire air-conditioned space
Ongoing cost
Replacement filters every 3–6 months, per unit, indefinitely
No filters. Cell replacement roughly every 2–3 years
Safety
Some ionizer/ozone models have drawn FTC and EPA scrutiny for unsubstantiated claims
Verified Zero Ozone to UL 2998, meets California's CARB emissions limit
Whole-house cost to match
Multiple units required for full coverage — cost adds up fast
One system, installed once, covers the whole home
Common questions when comparing the two
Only in the room it's running in. The moment you close a bedroom door or walk down the hall, that protection stops. In-duct purification treats air as it moves through your HVAC system, so every room gets covered — including the ones with the door shut.