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

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic way to better your Cedar Rapids home’s indoor air quality. Modern homes are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is excellent for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As newer houses don’t typically bring in as much fresh air as older homes, contaminants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can build up inside. The consequence? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is not good if you have allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

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

How Does an Air Purification System Work?

Most home air purifiers use a fan to pull in air. Then, the air is pushed through one or more filters to collect contaminants before being sent out again.

These filters can incorporate 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 microscopic particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to purify a single area. Or they can be fitted to your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your complete home.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in combination with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can considerably reduce the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of Air Purification

Adding an air purifier to your home can offer many outstanding health pluses. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can lower other symptoms related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be difficult to distinguish troubles linked to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by many other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that symptoms are better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing the issue.

3. Eliminates Odors

Odors that hang around, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be difficult to get rid of. If you having difficulties with eliminating strong smells in your home, we suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. May Decrease Your Likelihood of Getting Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health even more so during winter months. To get full advantage of this plus, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Skip

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

  • Creates ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in the majority of healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We advise getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This style works alongside your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Ilten's, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your home. Reach us at 319-208-2351 to begin breathing healthier air right away!