If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some manufacturers are making lots of claims. And some of those claims may seem too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent approach to improve your Richmond home’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.
Since newer homes don’t naturally allow in as much fresh air as old houses, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate in your home. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality specialists at Refrigeration Systems Ltd. can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 778-693-2532 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our recommendations to help you choose the best air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers use a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect 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, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat an individual area. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your total home.
The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of an Air Purifier
Adding an air purifier to your residence can give lots of good health perks. Here are several of them.
1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers reduce irritants in your house, like some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, such as cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues related to bad indoor air quality. These include:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be tricky to identify issues linked to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing a problem.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with eliminating strong 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 loved ones healthier especially during cold months. To take complete advantage of this plus, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Stay Away From
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to skip when choosing a system for your home:
- Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies an individual room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This solution works with your HVAC system.
When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Refrigeration Systems Ltd., we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 778-693-2532 to begin breathing healthier air now!