If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some brands are making lots of claims. And some of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent method to enhance your Moline house’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
As updated homes don’t typically bring in as much outside air as aging residences, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is bad news if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at J.L. Brady Company LLC can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 309-517-7511 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages 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 passes through one or more filters to collect pollutants 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 filtering tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your entire house.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your house can give lots of great health perks. Here are several of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your residence, such as some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Decreases Other Problems Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other troubles linked to poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish troubles associated with indoor air quality, as they can be linked to a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing trouble.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having difficulties with removing strong smells in your home, we recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Decrease Your Probability of Being Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in better health particularly during cold months. To receive full advantage of this plus, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few features to skip when choosing a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We advise using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air throughout your home. This style runs with your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at J.L. Brady Company LLC, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 309-517-7511 to get started breathing healthier air today!