If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are producing many claims. And some of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent way to better your Excelsior Springs home’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As modern residences don’t typically allow in as much fresh air as older residences, contaminants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated 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 Colvin's Heating and Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 816-379-3918 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our advice to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to pull in air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being sent out again.

These filters can have 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, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify an individual area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your complete residence.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can deliver many good health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be tricky to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having issues with eliminating strong smells in your house, our pros suggest getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Probability of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in good health even more so during winter months. To take full advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several options to avoid when picking a system for your home:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This style works with your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Colvin's Heating and Cooling, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 816-379-3918 to begin breathing fresher air now!