If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are producing a lot of claims. And most of those claims could feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic way to improve your Bloomfield residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Because updated houses don’t typically allow in as much fresh air as older houses, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Stanford Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 812-825-8695 and we’ll be happy to help. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our advice to help you find the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

These filters may 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 filtering microscopic particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat a single room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your home can offer many good health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your home, like some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other symptoms related to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be tricky to determine symptoms linked to indoor air quality, as they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to eliminate. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of persistent smells in your house, we suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Probability of Becoming 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 get full advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several options to stay away from when picking a system for your house:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style runs with your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Stanford Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 812-825-8695 to begin breathing fresher air now!