If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you might be finding that some brands are producing a lot of claims. And many of those claims might feel too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent method to enhance your Northridge residence’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because modern houses don’t naturally allow in as much outdoor air as aging homes, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating can help you cut through the clutter and choose the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at (818) 727-9993 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our advice to help you select the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap irritants before being sent out again.

These filters may 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 capturing microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify an individual space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing effective filtration for your total residence.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of Air Purifier Installation

Installing an air purifier in your home can offer a lot of great 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 typical triggers:

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

2. Lowers Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be tricky to identify troubles associated with indoor air quality, because they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms are better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having problems with eliminating strong smells in your house, we advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Reduce Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier especially during winter months. To get full advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Stay Away From

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of features to avoid when choosing a system for your home:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This option runs alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your house. Give us a call at (818) 727-9993 to get started breathing fresher air now!