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

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to improve your Marshalltown house’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

As updated houses don’t normally let in as much fresh air as older residences, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at B & G HVAC can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 641-316-3360 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our advice to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch irritants 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 filtering microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat one room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total home.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your home can offer lots of outstanding health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, including some of these common triggers:

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

2. Alleviates 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 related to poor indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be hard to identify issues related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of persistent smells in your residence, our professionals suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Chance of Being Sick

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

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few styles to avoid when picking a system for your residence:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This style operates with your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at B & G HVAC, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 641-316-3360 to get started breathing fresher air right away!