If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be finding that some manufacturers are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims might appear 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, as they’re a great method to improve your Crystal and Twin Cities home’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
Since modern homes don’t naturally bring in as much outdoor air as aging residences, contaminants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at GV Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 763-535-2000 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our advice to help you find the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being sent out again.
These filters can include 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 capturing miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be portable and used to purify one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your entire house.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your house can deliver many outstanding health benefits. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your residence, like some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other issues 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 determine issues linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing trouble.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Odors that hang around, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you struggle with removing heavy smells in your home, our pros suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Getting Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health particularly during winter months. To take full advantage of this benefit, we recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few options to avoid when choosing a system for your home:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, 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, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style works alongside your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at GV Heating & Air, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Contact us at 763-535-2000 to start breathing fresher air now!