If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some brands are spouting many claims. And some of those claims may feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you might be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic approach to improve your Chadron residence’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are securely sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As newer residences don’t normally let in as much outside air as aging homes, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The result? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is bad news if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at MPC Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 308-832-4321 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, find out more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our recommendations to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to catch pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters may include 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 filtering miniscule particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat a single space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your entire home.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your residence can offer many great health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce pollutants in your residence, including some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Problems Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other issues linked to bad indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be tricky to identify symptoms related to indoor air quality, as they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having problems with removing persistent smells in your house, our professionals recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Lower Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health even more so during winter months. To take full advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

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

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style operates in tandem with your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at MPC Heating & Cooling, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 308-832-4321 to get started breathing fresher air today!