If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some kinds are spouting many claims. And many of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to improve your Pocatello residence’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
As updated houses don’t naturally allow in as much outdoor air as aging residences, pollutants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Vogts Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 208-621-0129 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our advice to help you select the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect contaminants before being redistributed.
These filters may include a charcoal filter, to remove odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching tiny particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to purify an individual space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your complete home.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your house can offer many good health perks. Here are just a few of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce irritants in your residence, such as some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles associated with poor indoor air quality. These entail:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to distinguish issues linked to indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is possibly causing the issue.
3. Eliminates Odors
Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having issues with getting rid of persistent smells in your residence, we recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier especially during winter months. To receive total advantage of this perk, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Avoid
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several options to skip when picking a system for your home:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air throughout your home. This solution runs alongside your heating and cooling system.
When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Vogts Heating & Air, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 208-621-0129 to begin breathing healthier air now!