If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some kinds 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 may be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic way to improve your Crystal and Twin Cities house’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Because newer houses don’t typically allow in as much outdoor air as old homes, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. 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 professionals at GV Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 763-535-2000 and we’ll be happy to help. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our advice to help you select the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap contaminants before being redistributed.

These filters may 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 capturing microscopic particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your total house.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can give many outstanding health pluses. Here are just a few of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your residence, including some of these typical 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 reduce other issues linked to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be hard to distinguish issues linked to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing trouble.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with removing heavy smells in your house, our pros suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Lower Your Probability of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during winter months. To get full advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a few features to stay away from when picking a system for your home:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This style operates in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at GV Heating & Air, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 763-535-2000 to begin breathing fresher air today!