If you’re looking for an air purifier, you may be finding that some manufacturers are making lots of claims. And many of those claims might appear too good to be true. So, it’s only natural that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic method to improve your Manassas home’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

As modern houses don’t normally bring in as much outside air as older homes, pollutants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The consequence? 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 professionals at Air-Right Energy Design can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 703-260-1148 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their perks and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to pull in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.

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

An air purifier can be compact and used to purify an individual space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving effective filtration for your complete residence.

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

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your house can offer a lot of good health advantages. Here are several of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower contaminants in your residence, like some of these standard 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 residence doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other troubles associated with bad indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be hard to identify troubles related to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having issues with removing strong smells in your home, we advise buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Lower Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health particularly during cold months. To receive total advantage of this plus, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of defense 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 choosing a system for your residence:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA advises staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option works alongside your HVAC system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Air-Right Energy Design, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 703-260-1148 to start breathing healthier air today!