If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be finding that some manufacturers are spouting a lot of claims. And many of those claims could feel 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 a fantastic way to improve your Mankato area residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Since modern homes don’t normally let in as much outdoor air as old residences, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Northern Comfort Inc can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 507-387-6596 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our advice to help you find the best air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap irritants before being redistributed.
These filters may include a charcoal filter, to remove 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 purify a single room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your complete home.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Perks of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your house can offer lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a few of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your residence, such as some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles associated with bad indoor air quality. These involve:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish issues related to indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Eliminates Odors
Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having issues with removing strong smells in your residence, our professionals recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Probability of Being Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in better health particularly during colder months. To take complete advantage of this perk, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an extra layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several options to stay away from when selecting a system for your residence:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding 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 pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution runs with your HVAC system.
When you call the indoor air quality specialists at Northern Comfort Inc, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 507-387-6596 to begin breathing cleaner air now!
