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

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, because they’re a fantastic method to better your Portland home’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

As updated houses don’t normally let in as much outside air as older homes, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up indoors. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Three Rivers Heating & Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 503-213-4433 and we’ll be happy to help. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you select the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

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

An air purifier can be compact and used to filter a single space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, giving powerful filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should know that air purifiers can’t remove all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably decrease the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your residence can give many good health advantages. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Alleviates 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 alleviate other troubles related to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be hard to distinguish issues related to indoor air quality, since 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 possibly causing the issue.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having difficulties with getting rid of strong smells in your home, our pros recommend buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Probability of Getting Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health especially during cold months. To get full advantage of this plus, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an extra layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

You’re better off without certain air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to stay away from when selecting a system for your house:

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We advise using a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This option operates in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Three Rivers Heating & Cooling, we make it easy to select the best air purifier for your house. Reach us at 503-213-4433 to begin breathing fresher air now!