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

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re an excellent method to improve your Des Moines residence’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Since newer residences don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as old houses, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable 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 contact us at 515-207-6569 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our recommendations to help you find the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

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 filtering microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

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

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t remove 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your residence can deliver lots of great health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your home, including some of these typical triggers:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Volatile organic compounds, like 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 struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other issues linked to low indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be difficult to determine troubles linked to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you are having a hard time with eliminating strong smells in your house, we recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Reduce Your Likelihood of Being Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in better health especially during cold months. To get full advantage of this benefit, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

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

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This solution runs with your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 515-207-6569 to begin breathing healthier air right away!