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

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic way to improve your Mount Pleasant home’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Since modern residences don’t normally let in as much outside air as aging residences, contaminants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up in your home. The result? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Olde Towne Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 843-485-0967 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our suggestions to help you choose the ideal air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?

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

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 capturing microscopic particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to purify a single room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your total residence.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t remove all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of Air Purification

Adding an air purifier to your house can give a lot of outstanding health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your residence, such as some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be hard to determine symptoms related to indoor air quality, because they can be linked to a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having difficulties with eliminating persistent smells in your home, our professionals recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Decrease Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health especially during winter months. To take full advantage of this benefit, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to avoid when selecting a system for your house:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This solution operates in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Olde Towne Heating & Air, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 843-485-0967 to start breathing fresher air right away!