If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some manufacturers are spouting many claims. And most of those claims might seem too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic approach to better your Columbia house’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As newer homes don’t naturally let in as much outside air as aging homes, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at Watts Electric & AC can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just call us at 601-736-7362 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, discover more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our advice to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?

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

These filters can have a charcoal filter, to eliminate odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching tiny particles as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

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

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate every contaminant from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of Air Purification

Installing an air purifier in your home can offer lots of outstanding health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Lowers Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other symptoms linked to poor indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be tricky to distinguish issues associated with indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you are having a hard time with removing persistent smells in your residence, our professionals recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Probability of Being Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier particularly during colder months. To get total advantage of this plus, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few options to avoid when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate 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. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This solution operates in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at Watts Electric & AC, we make it uncomplicated to select the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 601-736-7362 to get started breathing cleaner air today!