If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are spouting lots of claims. And most of those claims could feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you might be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to better your Marshalltown residence’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As newer houses don’t typically let in as much outdoor air as old residences, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Kapaun & Brown can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 641-812-2028 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, learn more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our advice to help you choose the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

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 as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to treat a single area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your complete home.

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

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

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

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your house, including some of these standard triggers:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, including 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 experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be hard to distinguish issues linked to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.

3. Eliminates Odors

Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you having issues with eliminating heavy smells in your home, we suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Probability of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in good health especially during winter months. To get full advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

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

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This solution operates alongside your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Kapaun & Brown, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 641-812-2028 to start breathing cleaner air today!