If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some brands are making lots of claims. And many of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic way to better your Wilmington residence’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Since updated residences don’t typically allow in as much outside air as old homes, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier 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 Brandywine Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 302-261-3596 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our suggestions to help you find the best air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Work?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.
These filters may 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 filtering microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat one area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the amount of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of Air Purification
Getting an air purifier for your home can offer many good health perks. Here are just a few of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your house, including some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, like cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to distinguish troubles linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is possibly causing the issue.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to eliminate. If you having problems with getting rid of heavy smells in your residence, we recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Lower 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 particularly during colder months. To take complete advantage of this benefit, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several styles to avoid when picking a system for your home:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This style works in tandem with your HVAC system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Brandywine Heating & Air, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your house. Give us a call at 302-261-3596 to begin breathing healthier air today!