If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some manufacturers are making a lot of claims. And most of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent approach to better your Los Angeles residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
As updated residences don’t typically allow in as much outside air as aging houses, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The result? 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 specialists at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 800-296-5088 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our advice to help you choose the best air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect contaminants before being sent out again.
These filters might 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 capturing tiny particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be compact and used to filter an individual room. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t remove every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your house can give many great health perks. Here are just a few of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, including some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Alleviates Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other issues related to poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Itchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to identify issues linked to indoor air quality, as they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having problems with removing heavy smells in your home, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Might Lower Your Chance of Getting Sick
An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier even more so during winter months. To receive complete advantage of this benefit, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Skip
You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several features to stay away from when choosing a system for your residence:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include 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 many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies one room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This style operates in tandem with your HVAC system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 800-296-5088 to get started breathing cleaner air today!