If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you could be finding that some brands are making many claims. And many of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re a great way to enhance your Zelienople home’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Because updated residences don’t typically let in as much outside air as old houses, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Knoechel Heating Company can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 724-425-5852 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our advice to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being recirculated.
These filters may have 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 catching microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be portable and used to treat one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your residence can give a lot of great health advantages. Here are just a few of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower pollutants in your residence, like some of these typical 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 residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other issues linked to bad indoor air quality. These entail:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to distinguish symptoms linked to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is likely to blame.
3. Eliminates Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you struggle with eliminating heavy smells in your residence, our pros recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Lower Your Chance of Being Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in better health especially during cold months. To receive full advantage of this plus, we advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of protection 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 home:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style runs in tandem with your HVAC system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Knoechel Heating Company, we make it uncomplicated to choose the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 724-425-5852 to start breathing fresher air now!