If you’re looking for an air purifier, you might be finding that some kinds are producing many claims. And most of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re a great way to enhance your Derby home’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are securely sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
As newer houses don’t naturally bring in as much outdoor air as aging residences, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 203-772-8319 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our advice to help you find the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being recirculated.
These filters can include 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 miniscule particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be portable and used to filter a single area. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your house can offer a lot of great health benefits. Here are just a few of them.
1. Alleviates Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce irritants in your house, like some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Symptoms Associated with 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 bad indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably to blame.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you having problems with eliminating strong smells in your home, our professionals recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Chance of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in good health particularly during winter months. To get total advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several styles to skip when selecting a system for your house:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This solution works with your heating and cooling system.
When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 203-772-8319 to get started breathing cleaner air now!