If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some manufacturers are making many claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to better your West Jefferson house’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are tightly sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so great for indoor air quality.
Since modern houses don’t naturally bring in as much outside air as older homes, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 614-879-9091 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, find out more about how air purifiers work, their advantages and our advice to help you find the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being recirculated.
These filters can have 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 catching microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify an individual area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your entire home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your house can offer lots of outstanding health perks. Here are several of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your residence, like some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Decreases Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other issues related to low indoor air quality. These include:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish troubles related to indoor air quality, since they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is possibly to blame.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with getting rid of persistent smells in your residence, our professionals recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Chance of Getting Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in better health particularly during cold months. To get full advantage of this perk, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Skip
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to avoid when choosing a system for your house:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air throughout your home. This option operates with your heating and cooling system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc., we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 614-879-9091 to start breathing cleaner air today!