If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be finding that some brands are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.
They’re worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic approach to enhance your Manassas house’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.
As newer homes don’t naturally allow in as much outside air as older houses, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.
Our indoor air quality professionals at Fire & Ice HVAC can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 703-595-4157 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.
How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to collect contaminants before being recirculated.
These filters may incorporate 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 tiny particles as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.
An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify a single room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your complete residence.
The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the level of indoor air pollution.
4 Benefits of Air Purifier Installation
Installing an air purifier in your house can give many great health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.
1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Air purifiers decrease irritants in your home, like some of these typical triggers:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products
2. Lowers Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other symptoms related to poor indoor air quality. These include:
- Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin
- Headaches
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
It can be hard to determine issues related to indoor air quality, because they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.
3. Gets Rid of Odors
Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having difficulties with getting rid of persistent smells in your home, we recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.
4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Getting 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 benefit, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.
Air Purifiers to Avoid
You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to skip when choosing a system for your home:
- Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
- Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
- Only purifies a single room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air throughout your home. This style works with your HVAC system.
When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Fire & Ice HVAC, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 703-595-4157 to get started breathing cleaner air now!