If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be realizing that some kinds are making lots of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic approach to improve your Oxford residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
Since modern homes don’t typically let in as much outside air as aging residences, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The consequence? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 662-281-1231 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their benefits and our advice to help you find the best air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to trap irritants before being redistributed.
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 filtering microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to purify one area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing powerful filtration for your complete residence.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used in combination with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Pluses of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your residence can give a lot of outstanding health perks. Here are several of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your house, such as some of these common triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms linked to poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify issues associated with indoor air quality, because they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably to blame.
3. Removes Odors
Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having issues with removing persistent smells in your residence, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Lower Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier even more so during winter months. To take total advantage of this benefit, we recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to skip when choosing a system for your home:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, 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 one room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution runs in tandem with your home comfort system.
When you call the indoor air quality experts at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 662-281-1231 to begin breathing cleaner air now!