If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some brands are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic approach to enhance your Greater Richmond residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As modern houses don’t typically bring in as much outdoor air as older homes, contaminants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is bad news if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 804-302-6657 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our recommendations to help you select the ideal air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?

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

These filters can incorporate 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 filtering tiny particles as small as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to treat one space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your entire house.

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

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can give many outstanding health pluses. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce pollutants in your residence, including some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues Associated with 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 symptoms linked to bad indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be hard to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, since they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of strong smells in your home, we advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health particularly during cold months. To take complete advantage of this benefit, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an additional layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few styles to stay away from when selecting a system for your house:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This solution runs in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to choose the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to get started breathing cleaner air right away!