
If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be finding that some brands are spouting many claims. And most of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent method to enhance your Kutztown and Breinigsville house’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
As newer houses don’t normally allow in as much outside air as aging homes, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Moyer Total Indoor Comfort can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 484-646-3363 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you select the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.
These filters might include 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 tiny particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat a single area. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your house can offer lots of great health advantages. Here are just a few of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce pollutants in your home, including some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other symptoms linked 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 troubles related to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.
3. Removes Odors
Lingering odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having difficulties with getting rid of strong smells in your residence, we advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Lower Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier particularly during cold months. To take full advantage of this plus, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides 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 couple of styles to avoid when choosing a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends 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 most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style operates with your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality specialists at Moyer Total Indoor Comfort, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 484-646-3363 to get started breathing fresher air today!