If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be realizing that some manufacturers are spouting many claims. And most of those claims may feel 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, as they’re a fantastic method to improve your Carpentersville residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s residences are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As modern houses don’t typically allow in as much outdoor air as aging houses, pollutants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Controlled Comfort HVAC can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 224-412-8308 and we’ll be happy to help. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our recommendations to help you find the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to catch contaminants before being recirculated.

These filters may incorporate a charcoal filter, to get rid of 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, like 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, delivering strong filtration for your entire home.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Pluses of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your home can offer lots of great health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce 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. Reduces Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other symptoms related to bad indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be tricky to determine issues associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is likely causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with removing persistent smells in your house, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Reduce Your Probability of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family healthier even more so during cold months. To take total advantage of this plus, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a few features to avoid when selecting a system for your home:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate 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 many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style operates alongside your HVAC system.

When you call the indoor air quality professionals at Controlled Comfort HVAC, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 224-412-8308 to get started breathing fresher air right away!