If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be finding that some kinds are producing many claims. And many of those claims might appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a great approach to better your Long Island residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.
Since newer houses don’t typically let in as much outdoor air as aging residences, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Airmax Long Island Inc can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 631-737-5566 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our recommendations to help you find the right air purifier.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.
These filters can 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 capturing microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter an individual area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your complete residence.
The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of 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 level of indoor air pollution.
4 Advantages of an Air Purifier
Getting an air purifier for your residence can deliver many great health pluses. Here are just a few of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease irritants in your residence, like some of these standard triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Alleviates Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other troubles related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be difficult to identify symptoms related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.
3. Removes Odors
Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your home, we advise purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick
An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier even more so during colder months. To get complete advantage of this perk, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Skip
You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to skip when selecting a system for your home:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This style operates in tandem with your home comfort system.
When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Airmax Long Island Inc, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 631-737-5566 to get started breathing healthier air now!