If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be finding that some kinds are making lots of claims. And many of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you might be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent approach to enhance your Oxford house’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Since updated residences don’t normally allow in as much fresh air as older homes, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 662-281-1231 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, find out more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our suggestions to help you find the ideal air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap irritants before being recirculated.
These filters might incorporate 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 capturing tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify a single room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your complete home.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your home can give many good health advantages. Here are several of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease irritants in your home, 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 Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms related 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 determine troubles associated with indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing a problem.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you having problems with eliminating strong smells in your home, our pros advise purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during cold months. To take total advantage of this perk, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to stay away from when selecting a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option runs with your heating and cooling system.
When you call the indoor air quality experts at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your house. Give us a call at 662-281-1231 to start breathing cleaner air right away!