If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to enhance your Norton house’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are securely sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Since updated houses don’t normally allow in as much outside air as aging residences, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The result? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at HCE Systems can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 276-302-0076 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our recommendations to help you find the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

These filters might incorporate 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 tiny particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat a single area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your entire house.

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

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your home can deliver a lot of good 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 common triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Problems Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other troubles related to bad indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be difficult to determine troubles linked to indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having difficulties with getting rid of heavy smells in your home, we suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Lower Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier especially during winter months. To receive complete advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several features to skip when choosing a system for your home:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style operates alongside your home comfort system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at HCE Systems, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 276-302-0076 to begin breathing cleaner air today!