If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be finding that some manufacturers are producing many claims. And many of those claims could feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to improve your Cache Valley home’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As updated houses don’t normally allow in as much outdoor air as older houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is bad news if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Western Mechanical, Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 435-753-5515 and we’ll be happy to help. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you find the best air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters can include a charcoal filter, to get rid of odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at filtering tiny particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat an individual area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total 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 along with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of Air Purifier Installation

Adding an air purifier to your residence can give many good health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your house, such as some of these common triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be difficult to determine troubles associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you having issues with removing persistent smells in your house, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Decrease Your Chance of Getting Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health particularly during winter months. To take complete advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several options to avoid when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate 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 many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This style operates in tandem with your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Western Mechanical, Inc., we make it uncomplicated to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 435-753-5515 to begin breathing fresher air today!