If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to improve your Lexington home’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
As newer houses don’t naturally allow in as much fresh air as aging residences, contaminants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at James Heating & A/C, Inc can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 336-853-6070 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our recommendations to help you select the best air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to catch pollutants before being sent out again.
These filters can include 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 microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be movable and used to purify a single space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your entire house.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of Air Purifier Installation
Getting an air purifier for your residence can give lots of great health perks. Here are several of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your house, including some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These include:
- Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to determine issues related to indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of persistent smells in your home, our pros recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health especially during cold months. To take complete advantage of this perk, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a few styles to skip when selecting a system for your home:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution operates with your heating and cooling system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at James Heating & A/C, Inc, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 336-853-6070 to start breathing healthier air now!