If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some kinds are spouting many claims. And many of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic way to improve your Laurel house’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Since modern residences don’t naturally let in as much outdoor air as older houses, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at H&C Heating and Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 301-960-3247 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our advice to help you find the best air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being recirculated.
These filters can incorporate a charcoal filter, to eliminate odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at capturing microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to filter a single room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your complete residence.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your residence’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 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your house can provide many good health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Alleviates Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower irritants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other symptoms related 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 identify issues related to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with removing strong smells in your home, our pros suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Reduce Your Likelihood of Getting Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health especially during winter months. To get total advantage of this perk, we suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Skip
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few styles to skip when picking a system for your house:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This solution works with your heating and cooling 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. Reach us at 301-960-3247 to begin breathing cleaner air now!