If you’re looking for an air purifier, you might be finding that some kinds are producing lots of claims. And many of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, because they’re a great method to better your Alliance home’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
As newer residences don’t normally allow in as much fresh air as old homes, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up in your home. The consequence? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is bad news if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 308-321-4703 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our advice to help you choose the best air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being redistributed.
These filters can include a charcoal filter, to remove odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at filtering tiny particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to purify an individual area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total house.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your house can deliver a lot of good health perks. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower irritants in your residence, including some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other troubles associated with low indoor air quality. These entail:
- Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to determine issues associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having problems with removing heavy smells in your house, we recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Decrease Your Chance of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health particularly during winter months. To take full advantage of this benefit, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few options to avoid when choosing a system for your home:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This solution runs alongside your heating and cooling system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 308-321-4703 to start breathing healthier air today!