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

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to enhance your Cedar Rapids home’s indoor air quality. Newer residences are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because modern residences don’t normally allow in as much outdoor air as old houses, pollutants like dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality specialists at Ilten's can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 319-208-2351 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers work, their perks and our recommendations to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to draw in air. Then, the air passes through one or more filters to trap contaminants before being sent out again.

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

An air purifier can be movable and used to treat an individual room. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, providing powerful 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 lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can offer a lot of good health advantages. Here are several of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower irritants in your home, including some of these standard triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other issues linked to low indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be hard to distinguish symptoms associated with indoor air quality, because they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave home, your indoor air quality is possibly causing the issue.

3. Removes Odors

Lingering odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to remove. If you having problems with eliminating heavy smells in your house, our professionals advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Likelihood of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health especially during colder months. To get full advantage of this perk, our pros suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

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

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We suggest using a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This option works alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality experts at Ilten's, we make it simple to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Give us a call at 319-208-2351 to start breathing healthier air right away!