If you’re looking for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some manufacturers are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural 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 way to better your Auburn home’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
As updated houses don’t naturally allow in as much outdoor air as old residences, contaminants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Forster Heating can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 530-885-8081 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our recommendations to help you select the ideal air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect contaminants before being redistributed.
These filters might have 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 catching tiny particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter a single space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your entire home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your residence can give lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, like some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other troubles related to bad indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to identify issues associated with indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your house, our pros recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Decrease Your Probability of Getting Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier especially during colder months. To take complete advantage of this benefit, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several features to skip when choosing a system for your house:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This option runs alongside your heating and cooling system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Forster Heating, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 530-885-8081 to start breathing cleaner air right away!
