If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some brands are producing 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 questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic approach to enhance your Monroe residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As updated houses don’t normally bring in as much outdoor air as aging residences, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros 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. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you select the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap contaminants 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 catching microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to purify one area. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with an enhanced 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 give lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Lowers Other Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues linked to poor indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be difficult to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, because they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Removes Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having problems with eliminating heavy smells in your residence, our pros advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Chance of Becoming Sick

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

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to stay away from when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This solution runs alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you call the indoor air quality specialists at Lanz Furnace and Fireplace, we make it uncomplicated to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 608-291-3606 to get started breathing fresher air now!