If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be realizing that some kinds are producing many claims. And many of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to improve your Hudsonville residence’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Because modern residences don’t typically let in as much outside air as aging homes, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at (616) 319-1436 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our recommendations to help you find the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap irritants before being recirculated.
These filters may have 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 microscopic particles down to .3 microns, including 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, providing strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your home can deliver a lot of great health pluses. Here are just a few of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower irritants in your residence, such as some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Symptoms Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues associated with bad indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify symptoms related to indoor air quality, as they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your house, we advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Lower 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 take total advantage of this perk, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several styles to skip when choosing a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from 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 pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This solution works with your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at (616) 319-1436 to start breathing healthier air now!