If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you could be finding that some kinds are spouting lots of claims. And some of those claims might appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to improve your Lancaster house’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As updated homes don’t naturally bring in as much outdoor air as old homes, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at Fairfield Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 740-331-4331 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 best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to trap irritants before being sent out again.

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 catching miniscule particles down to .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat a single space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your complete home.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your house can give many good health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower contaminants in your house, including some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Symptoms 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 alleviate other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be hard to determine troubles related to indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to remove. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of heavy smells in your residence, our professionals suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Chance of Being Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health especially during winter months. To take total advantage of this perk, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several options to avoid when choosing a system for your house:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This option works alongside your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Fairfield Heating & Cooling, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 740-331-4331 to get started breathing fresher air today!