If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some manufacturers are making many claims. And most of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to better your Ellsworth residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
As newer residences don’t naturally let in as much outside air as older homes, pollutants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 715-318-6728 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, find out more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our recommendations to help you select the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to collect 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 filtering tiny particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be movable and used to treat one space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total residence.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of Air Purifier Installation
Installing an air purifier in your home can offer lots of great health pluses. Here are several of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower irritants in your house, such as some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as 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 experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other symptoms linked to poor indoor air quality. These entail:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to determine issues related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.
3. Eliminates Odors
Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having problems with getting rid of heavy smells in your house, our pros suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Decrease Your Chance of Getting Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during winter months. To get complete advantage of this perk, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of features to stay away from when picking a system for your house:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises staying away from ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option runs alongside your HVAC system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 715-318-6728 to get started breathing cleaner air right away!
