If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be realizing that some manufacturers are producing a lot of claims. And most of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you may be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic method to improve your Wilkes Barre and Scranton home’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

As newer residences don’t typically let in as much fresh air as old houses, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at GLR Mechanical can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 570-309-0403 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, find out more about how air purifiers operate, their advantages and our advice to help you choose the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to catch pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters may incorporate a charcoal filter, to remove odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at catching microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat an individual room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your house’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

Getting an air purifier for your residence can deliver many good health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower contaminants in your house, such as some of these common triggers:

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

2. Lowers Other Symptoms 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 issues associated with poor indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be difficult to identify troubles associated with indoor air quality, since they can be caused by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms are better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you are having a hard time with eliminating heavy smells in your house, our pros recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Probability of Getting Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier especially during colder months. To get total advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a few styles to avoid when selecting a system for your house:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air throughout your home. This solution works alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at GLR Mechanical, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 570-309-0403 to start breathing healthier air right away!