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

They’re worthwhile, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic method to improve your Cedar Rapids home’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are solidly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Since updated houses don’t naturally allow in as much outdoor air as aging homes, irritants such as dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate indoors. The outcome? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is not good if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Ilten's can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 319-208-2351 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers work, their pluses and our advice to help you find the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

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

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify a single area. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, delivering effective filtration for your entire house.

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

4 Advantages of an Air Purifier

Adding an air purifier to your residence can offer lots of great health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

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

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

2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Related 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 troubles associated with bad indoor air quality. These entail:

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

It can be difficult to distinguish symptoms related to indoor air quality, since they can be triggered by lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re noticing that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing a problem.

3. Removes Odors

Lingering odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your residence, our pros advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Lower Your Likelihood of Being Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health even more so during colder months. To receive complete advantage of this benefit, our professionals recommend 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 some air purifiers. Here are a couple of features to stay away from when selecting a system for your home:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA recommends skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use HEPA filters. For the best results, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Regarded as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in most healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We recommend using a whole-house air purifier, which purifies the air across your home. This option operates in tandem with your HVAC system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Ilten's, we make it easy to buy the best air purifier for your house. Give us a call at 319-208-2351 to begin breathing healthier air right away!