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

They’re worth it, according to the EPA, since they’re a fantastic approach to improve your Rapid City residence’s indoor air quality. Modern houses are tightly sealed and deeply insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Because modern homes don’t normally allow in as much fresh air as aging houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate in your home. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Precision Mechanical can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just contact us at 605-206-3766 and we’ll be happy to assist you. For now, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our recommendations to help you choose the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?

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

These filters can include a charcoal filter, to get rid of odors, and a HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filter. A HEPA filter is at least 99.7% effective at capturing miniscule particles as little as .3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to purify one space. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your total residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t eliminate 100% of the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly reduce the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your house can deliver a lot of good health perks. Here are several of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce pollutants 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. Lowers Other Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

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

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

It can be tricky to identify troubles related to indoor air quality, because they can be caused by many other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.

3. Removes Odors

Persistent odors, such as cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to get rid of. If you having problems with removing strong smells in your residence, we suggest buying an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Decrease Your Chance of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household healthier particularly during colder months. To receive full advantage of this benefit, our professionals advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purification Systems to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are several options to stay away from when picking a system for your house:

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises staying away from ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies one room. We suggest getting a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air across your home. This style runs in tandem with your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Precision Mechanical, we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 605-206-3766 to begin breathing healthier air now!