If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some brands are making a lot of claims. And most of those claims may appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you could be questioning are air purifiers a waste of money.

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

Since newer homes don’t normally bring in as much outdoor air as aging houses, irritants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at B & B Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 314-325-7552 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our suggestions to help you choose the right air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to trap irritants before being recirculated.

These filters might 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 miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter one space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering strong filtration for your complete home.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in combination with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of Air Purifier Installation

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

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower pollutants in your home, like some of these common triggers:

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

2. Lowers Other Symptoms Related 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 associated with low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be difficult to determine symptoms associated with indoor air quality, because they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better 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 tricky to eliminate. If you are having a hard time with getting rid of strong smells in your house, we suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Reduce Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during cold months. To receive complete advantage of this plus, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

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

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make 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 pure air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air in every room. This option runs alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you call the indoor air quality experts at B & B Heating & Cooling, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 314-325-7552 to get started breathing healthier air right away!