If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are spouting a lot of claims. And many of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic method to enhance your Lake Worth residence’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

As modern homes don’t naturally allow in as much outside air as old houses, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up in your home. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Smyth Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 561-533-6066 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our recommendations to help you select the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters might incorporate 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 capturing miniscule particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to treat an individual area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing powerful filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate all the contaminants from your house’s air. But when used along with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Pluses of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your home can give a lot of good health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, like some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your residence doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues associated with low indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be hard to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, since they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Removes Odors

Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having issues with getting rid of heavy smells in your house, our professionals suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Lower Your Chance of Being Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier particularly during colder months. To get total advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are several features to skip when picking a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This style works in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Smyth Air Conditioning, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 561-533-6066 to start breathing healthier air right away!