If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you might be noticing that some manufacturers are producing many claims. And many of those claims might appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic method to improve your Elk River home’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Because newer residences don’t typically bring in as much fresh air as older residences, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Home Comfort Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 763-276-0617 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers work, their advantages 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 draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap contaminants before being sent out again.

These filters may 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 catching microscopic particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to treat one room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your complete house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of Air Purification

Adding an air purifier to your residence can give a lot of outstanding health pluses. Here are several of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower contaminants in your house, like some of these standard triggers:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products

2. Reduces Other Problems Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other issues associated with low indoor air quality. These involve:

  • Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
  • Headaches
  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

It can be difficult to determine issues associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you are having a hard time with removing heavy smells in your home, our professionals advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Reduce Your Chance of Being Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier especially during winter months. To receive total advantage of this plus, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Avoid

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to stay away from when picking a system for your house:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution runs in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at Home Comfort Heating & Air, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 763-276-0617 to get started breathing healthier air right away!