If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be realizing that some kinds are spouting lots of claims. And most of those claims may seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to better your Cache Valley residence’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Since newer houses don’t typically let in as much outside air as aging homes, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Western Mechanical, Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 435-753-5515 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our suggestions to help you find the right air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?

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

These filters can have 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 miniscule particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat a single area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your complete residence.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your house can give many good health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Problems Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues related to low indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be hard to distinguish issues associated with indoor air quality, since they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to eliminate. If you are having a hard time with removing persistent smells in your residence, our pros advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Likelihood of Being Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health especially during colder months. To take full advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Skip

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to stay away from when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option operates with your home comfort system.

When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Western Mechanical, Inc., we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your house. Give us a call at 435-753-5515 to begin breathing healthier air now!