If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some manufacturers are producing a lot of claims. And most of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic method to better your Thedford house’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
Because updated residences don’t normally allow in as much outdoor air as old houses, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 519-296-4437 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our suggestions to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch irritants before being redistributed.
These filters might have a charcoal filter, to eliminate odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your complete house.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of Air Purification
Installing an air purifier in your home can offer many great health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower irritants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Alleviates Other Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues related to bad indoor air quality. These include:
- Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish symptoms related to indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.
3. Removes Odors
Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having problems with eliminating heavy smells in your house, we recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Reduce Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health even more so during cold months. To get total advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few features to avoid when picking a system for your home:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This option runs alongside your HVAC system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 519-296-4437 to start breathing fresher air right away!