If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some kinds are making a lot of claims. And most of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

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

Because updated homes don’t normally allow in as much outdoor air as old homes, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 804-302-6657 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our advice to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Work?

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

These filters might have 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 microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter an individual area. Or they can be added 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 all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your home can offer lots of great health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease irritants in your home, including some of these common triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Symptoms 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 troubles related to bad 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 associated with indoor air quality, because they can be caused by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to remove. If you having problems with removing strong smells in your house, our pros advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Lower Your Chance of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in better health even more so during cold months. To get complete advantage of this plus, 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 features to avoid when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution runs with your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to begin breathing healthier air today!