If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some kinds are producing many claims. And some of those claims could 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 way to better your Front Royal residence’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
Because newer houses don’t typically allow in as much outdoor air as older homes, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality pros at Dave's Diversified Services can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 540-636-3396 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Meanwhile, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their benefits and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being sent out again.
These filters might include 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 capturing tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to filter a single room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your residence can give a lot of good health perks. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your house, including some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Problems Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues related to bad indoor air quality. These include:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify issues associated with indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having problems with removing heavy smells in your residence, our pros suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Lower Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health even more so during colder months. To receive complete advantage of this benefit, we recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Skip
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few features to stay away from when selecting a system for your house:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This option works in tandem with your heating and cooling system.
When you work with the indoor air quality specialists at Dave's Diversified Services, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 540-636-3396 to get started breathing fresher air now!