If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some kinds are producing many claims. And most of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you may be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic approach to enhance your Mount Pleasant residence’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Because modern houses don’t normally let in as much outside air as old homes, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Olde Towne Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 843-485-0967 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, find out more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our advice to help you choose the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being recirculated.
These filters can 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 down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter a single area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total residence.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your home can offer a lot of good health benefits. Here are several of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your residence, including some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other troubles linked to poor indoor air quality. These entail:
- Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify troubles linked to indoor air quality, since they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.
3. Eliminates Odors
Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having issues with eliminating heavy smells in your home, our pros suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Probability of Being Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health even more so during cold months. To receive complete advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Skip
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several options to stay away from when selecting a system for your home:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have 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 most healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air throughout your home. This style operates with your home comfort system.
When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Olde Towne Heating & Air, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 843-485-0967 to get started breathing fresher air today!