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

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

Since updated homes don’t naturally bring in as much outdoor air as aging homes, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Scott Temperature can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 785-269-0465 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our advice to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to trap irritants before being redistributed.

These filters might include 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 catching tiny particles down to .3 microns, such as 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 residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can offer many good health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce irritants in your house, like some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other troubles related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be difficult to distinguish issues 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 your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having difficulties with eliminating persistent smells in your residence, our professionals recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Chance of Being 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 winter months. To get complete advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several styles to avoid when selecting a system for your home:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This solution runs in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Scott Temperature, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 785-269-0465 to begin breathing healthier air today!