If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some manufacturers are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent approach to better your Siloam Springs home’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
As modern homes don’t normally let in as much outside air as older houses, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Siloam Springs Heating & AC can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 479-308-8176 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our recommendations to help you find the right air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being redistributed.
These filters might incorporate 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 capturing tiny particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to filter an individual room. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your complete house.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of Air Purification
Adding an air purifier to your home can offer many outstanding health advantages. Here are just a few of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your residence, like 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 home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other issues associated with low indoor air quality. These entail:
- Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish troubles associated with indoor air quality, as they can be linked to a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you are having a hard time with removing strong smells in your residence, our professionals recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Decrease Your Chance of Getting Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier even more so during cold months. To receive complete advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few styles to skip when choosing a system for your house:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding 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 most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This solution operates alongside your HVAC system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Siloam Springs Heating & AC, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 479-308-8176 to get started breathing fresher air now!