If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you may be noticing that some brands are producing many claims. And some of those claims could seem too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic way to better your Muskogee house’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so fantastic for indoor air quality.

Since updated houses don’t typically bring in as much fresh air as older houses, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate inside. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 918-682-8238 and we’ll be happy to help. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Does an Air Purification System Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to trap irritants before being recirculated.

These filters may have 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 microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to purify a single space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your complete residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used along with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your residence can offer many great health advantages. Here are several of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce irritants in your house, including some of these common triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Problems 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 lower other troubles related to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be hard to distinguish troubles related to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with getting rid of heavy smells in your residence, we suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Lower Your Chance of Getting Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health particularly during cold months. To take total advantage of this perk, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Avoid

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are a couple of styles to avoid when choosing a system for your residence:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This solution works with your home comfort system.

When you call the indoor air quality specialists at Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc., we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 918-682-8238 to start breathing cleaner air right away!