If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are producing lots of claims. And many of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you may be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic way to enhance your Croydon residence’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
Since updated houses don’t typically let in as much fresh air as old homes, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The consequence? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is bad news if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 215-741-5505 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you choose the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to collect pollutants before being sent out again.
These filters might have a charcoal filter, to get rid of odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching microscopic particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat a single area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your entire house.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your house can offer a lot of good health perks. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, such as some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Alleviates Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to distinguish symptoms linked to indoor air quality, as they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Eliminates Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with getting rid of strong smells in your residence, we advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Lower Your Likelihood of Getting Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health particularly during cold months. To receive full advantage of this benefit, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several options to avoid when choosing a system for your residence:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This option runs in tandem with your heating and cooling system.
When you call the indoor air quality experts at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 215-741-5505 to start breathing cleaner air now!