If you’re looking for an air purifier, you might be finding that some kinds are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims could feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic approach to improve your Swanton home’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
Since newer residences don’t typically allow in as much outdoor air as old houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Northwest Services can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 419-548-5017 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to catch irritants before being redistributed.
These filters may 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 catching tiny particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be movable and used to filter an individual room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of Air Purifier Installation
Adding an air purifier to your home can give many good health perks. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease irritants in your house, such as some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Problems Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These include:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify troubles related to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing trouble.
3. Eliminates Odors
Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having issues with removing heavy smells in your house, we recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during colder months. To get complete advantage of this benefit, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to skip when selecting a system for your residence:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This solution operates in tandem with your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality specialists at Northwest Services, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 419-548-5017 to begin breathing healthier air today!