If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be finding that some manufacturers are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent way to improve your Franklin Lakes residence’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so great for indoor air quality.
As modern homes don’t naturally bring in as much fresh air as aging homes, contaminants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Total Comfort can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 201-268-5663 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, learn more about how air purifiers work, their benefits and our suggestions to help you choose the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to catch pollutants before being sent out again.
These filters may incorporate 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 catching tiny particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be movable and used to purify a single room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your complete residence.
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 considerably reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your home can give lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a few of them.
1. Alleviates Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower pollutants in your residence, including some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles linked to bad indoor air quality. These entail:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to pinpoint issues associated with indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Odors that hang around, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to remove. If you having problems with eliminating persistent smells in your residence, our professionals suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Lower Your Probability of Becoming Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health particularly during cold months. To receive full advantage of this benefit, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several options to avoid when choosing a system for your residence:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate 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. Known as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This style works alongside your HVAC system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Total Comfort, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 201-268-5663 to start breathing fresher air today!