If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you could be noticing that some kinds are making many claims. And most of those claims could feel too good to be true. So, it’s only expected that you could be thinking are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic approach to better your Chelan and Wenatchee home’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are tightly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because newer residences don’t normally let in as much outdoor air as older houses, contaminants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate in your home. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Lakeside Heating & Air can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 509-284-4265 and we’ll be happy to help. For now, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you find the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

These filters can 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 catching 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 area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, giving strong filtration for your entire house.

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

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your home can offer many outstanding health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other troubles related to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be hard to identify symptoms linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Lingering odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to eliminate. If you having issues with eliminating heavy smells in your residence, our pros recommend purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Chance of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health particularly during cold months. To take complete advantage of this plus, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an extra layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

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

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs. The EPA advises skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This option runs with your home comfort system.

When you work with the indoor air quality specialists at Lakeside Heating & Air, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your residence. Contact us at 509-284-4265 to get started breathing healthier air today!