If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you could be finding that some brands are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims might appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to enhance your Monroe home’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Because modern residences don’t typically bring in as much outside air as older residences, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up in your home. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 608-291-3606 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our suggestions to help you select the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap contaminants before being redistributed.

These filters might include 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 catching microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat one area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your entire residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used along with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Pluses of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your residence can give lots of great health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, such as some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be tricky to distinguish symptoms related to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having difficulties with removing strong smells in your home, our pros recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Likelihood of Being Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in better health particularly during colder months. To receive full advantage of this perk, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

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

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This style operates alongside your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Lanz Furnace and Fireplace, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 608-291-3606 to get started breathing fresher air today!