If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be finding that some manufacturers are producing many claims. And some of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to improve your Libertyville residence’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Because newer residences don’t typically allow in as much outside air as old houses, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at TopTec can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 847-362-0262 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being recirculated.
These filters may incorporate a charcoal filter, to remove odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at capturing tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be movable and used to filter an individual room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing powerful filtration for your entire house.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t remove every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your residence can give many good health advantages. Here are just a few of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce irritants in your house, such as some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Problems Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues linked to poor indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to distinguish troubles linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.
3. Removes Odors
Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having issues with removing strong smells in your residence, our pros recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Reduce Your Probability of Being Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health especially during colder months. To take total advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few features to avoid when selecting a system for your residence:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA advises staying away from ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option runs in tandem with your HVAC system.
When you call the indoor air quality experts at TopTec, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 847-362-0262 to get started breathing cleaner air today!