If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you might be noticing that some manufacturers are spouting many claims. And many of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic method to better your Des Moines residence’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are securely sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
As newer residences don’t typically allow in as much outside air as older residences, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Heartland Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 515-344-3579 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you select the best air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch irritants before being recirculated.
These filters can incorporate 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 capturing microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter an individual space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your entire residence.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your house can offer lots of good health advantages. Here are several of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease irritants in your house, including some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Decreases Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms related to bad indoor air quality. These include:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to distinguish issues related to indoor air quality, as they can be linked to a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.
3. Eliminates Odors
Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having issues with removing heavy smells in your residence, our pros suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Decrease Your Chance of Getting Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in good health especially during cold months. To receive full advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a few features to stay away from when picking a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This option works alongside your home comfort system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Heartland Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Contact us at 515-344-3579 to start breathing fresher air today!