Are Air Purifiers a Waste of Money?

January 12, 2021

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

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent way to enhance your Kingsville residence’s indoor air quality. Modern residences are tightly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

As modern homes don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as older houses, pollutants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating LLC can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 361-214-1203 and we’ll be happy to provide support. For now, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our suggestions to help you select 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 collect pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters may include 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 filtering tiny particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter one space. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your entire house.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t eliminate every contaminant from your home’s air. But when used in tandem with an enhanced filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably lower the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your house can deliver many good health benefits. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Lowers Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other troubles associated with low indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be difficult to identify troubles related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly to blame.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having problems with eliminating heavy smells in your home, our professionals suggest purchasing an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Reduce Your Probability of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones healthier especially during cold months. To get full advantage of this perk, we suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an added layer of defense against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a couple of options to skip when selecting a system for your home:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for pure air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, including hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We advise installing a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air in every room. This style operates alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Four Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating LLC, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 361-214-1203 to get started breathing healthier air now!