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

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent way to enhance your Moline home’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Because newer homes don’t naturally allow in as much fresh air as older homes, contaminants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 309-323-9584 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our suggestions to help you select the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap contaminants before being recirculated.

These filters might incorporate a charcoal filter, to get rid of odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to purify a single area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of Air Purifier Installation

Getting an air purifier for your home can give a lot of outstanding health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease irritants in your house, including some of these typical 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 household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other issues linked to bad indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be tricky to identify issues linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Odors that hang around, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having issues with eliminating persistent smells in your home, our pros suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during cold months. To get complete advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Avoid

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several features to avoid when choosing a system for your home:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, 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, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We advise using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This option works with your home comfort system.

When you call the indoor air quality specialists at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Contact us at 309-323-9584 to get started breathing fresher air right away!