If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some manufacturers are spouting a lot of claims. And most of those claims may seem too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to improve your Port Clinton house’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
As modern houses don’t typically let in as much fresh air as older houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 419-465-8722 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our recommendations to help you select the ideal air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Work?
Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap irritants before being recirculated.
These filters may incorporate 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 capturing miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter a single area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your entire residence.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier in your home can deliver lots of great health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers lower pollutants in your house, such as some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Reduces Other Symptoms Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce 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 tricky to distinguish symptoms linked to indoor air quality, because they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing trouble.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with removing heavy smells in your residence, we suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. Can Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health even more so during colder months. To get full advantage of this plus, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few options to stay away from when picking a system for your residence:
- Makes ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This solution runs with your home comfort system.
When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc., we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 419-465-8722 to begin breathing healthier air today!