If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some manufacturers are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims could 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 useful, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic way to improve your Siloam Springs home’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because modern homes don’t naturally allow in as much outside air as old houses, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Siloam Springs Heating & AC can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 479-308-8176 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our suggestions to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap irritants before being sent out again.

These filters might have 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 catching miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat one space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total home.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate every contaminant from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your home can offer a lot of great health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease irritants in your home, including some of these common triggers:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products

2. Reduces Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other troubles related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:

  • Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
  • Headaches
  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

It can be difficult to distinguish symptoms related to indoor air quality, because they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your residence, our professionals advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Decrease Your Probability of Being Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health especially during cold months. To receive complete advantage of this benefit, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a few styles to avoid when choosing a system for your residence:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This option works in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at Siloam Springs Heating & AC, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 479-308-8176 to get started breathing healthier air now!