If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some manufacturers are spouting many claims. And some of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to enhance your Laurel residence’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As updated homes don’t typically let in as much outside air as old houses, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at H&C Heating and Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 301-960-3247 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our suggestions to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

These filters can 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 catching tiny particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat a single space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your entire residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of Air Purifier Installation

Adding an air purifier to your house can offer lots of good health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your residence, including some of these common triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms linked to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be tricky to determine troubles related to indoor air quality, as they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is likely causing a problem.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with eliminating heavy smells in your residence, we recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Lower Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health especially during cold months. To receive complete advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Avoid

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of features to skip when picking 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 filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style runs in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at H&C Heating and Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 301-960-3247 to begin breathing healthier air now!