If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some kinds are producing many claims. And some of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you might be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to improve your Des Moines residence’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because modern residences don’t typically allow in as much outdoor air as old residences, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate indoors. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 515-207-6569 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, find out more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our recommendations to help you find 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 irritants before being redistributed.

These filters may 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 filtering tiny particles as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be movable and used to purify one area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your total house.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your house can offer lots of good health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower irritants in your home, including some of these common triggers:

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

2. Lowers Other Issues Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other symptoms associated with low indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be difficult to identify symptoms related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having difficulties with getting rid of persistent smells in your residence, our pros advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Reduce Your Likelihood 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 total advantage of this benefit, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

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

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air in every room. This solution works alongside your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling, we make it uncomplicated to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 515-207-6569 to get started breathing fresher air today!