If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some brands are making many claims. And many of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to better your Des Moines house’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Since newer residences don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as older residences, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up in your home. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at Heartland Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 515-344-3579 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our suggestions to help you select the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.

These filters may 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 filtering miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to purify one area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of Air Purification

Adding an air purifier to your home can offer lots of great health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your residence, such as some of these common triggers:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products

2. Reduces Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other symptoms related to low indoor air quality. These involve:

  • Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
  • Headaches
  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

It can be tricky to identify troubles associated with indoor air quality, because they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of strong smells in your residence, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Chance of Getting Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health even more so during winter months. To get full advantage of this benefit, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few features to skip when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We advise using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This solution runs in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Heartland Heating & Cooling, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 515-344-3579 to get started breathing healthier air today!