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

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent way to enhance your Michigan City residence’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Because updated residences don’t naturally let in as much outside air as old houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 219-872-2198 and we’ll be happy to assist you. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our suggestions to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.

These filters can have 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 capturing tiny particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to filter a single room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your complete residence.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t remove every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your house can give a lot of outstanding health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your residence, like some of these common triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Problems 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 alleviate other issues associated with low indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be hard to distinguish troubles related to indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having issues with getting rid of strong smells in your home, we suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can 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 even more so during colder months. To get full advantage of this plus, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of features to stay away from when picking a system for your residence:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style operates alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you call the indoor air quality specialists at Paniccia Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 219-872-2198 to start breathing healthier air now!