If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some kinds are making a lot of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic approach to enhance your Eastland residence’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are tightly sealed and deeply insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

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

Our indoor air quality professionals at J & J Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 254-355-3833 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, learn more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our recommendations to help you select the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect irritants 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 catching microscopic particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to filter an individual area. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your home can give lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, like 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 symptoms linked to bad 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, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing the issue.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you are having a hard time with eliminating persistent smells in your house, our pros recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier especially during cold months. To receive full advantage of this plus, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several styles to stay away from when choosing a system for your house:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy 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 in every room. This solution operates in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you work with the indoor air quality experts at J & J Air Conditioning, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 254-355-3833 to begin breathing cleaner air today!