If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be finding that some brands are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic approach to improve your Des Moines house’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because updated residences don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as aging houses, contaminants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The result? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Heartland Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 515-344-3579 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our advice to help you select the best air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to catch pollutants before being sent out again.

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 capturing microscopic particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify an individual room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your total house.

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

4 Advantages of Air Purifier Installation

Installing an air purifier in your home can offer many good health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your house, such as some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Problems Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be tricky to determine issues associated with indoor air quality, because they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing trouble.

3. Removes Odors

Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with removing persistent smells in your house, we advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Likelihood of Becoming 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 get full advantage of this plus, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

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

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use 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 many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This style works with your home comfort system.

When you work with the indoor air quality experts at Heartland Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your residence. Contact us at 515-344-3579 to begin breathing cleaner air now!