If you’re looking for an air purifier, you could be finding that some kinds 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 worth it, according to the EPA, as they’re an excellent method to improve your Shamokin and Sunbury house’s indoor air quality. Newer houses are solidly sealed and heavily insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

As newer houses don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as old houses, pollutants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The outcome? Air that’s more polluted than the outdoors, which is a problem if you have allergies, asthma or are sensitive to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just call us at 570-648-0748 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, discover more about how air purifiers operate, their perks and our suggestions to help you find the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

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

These filters might 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 catching tiny particles down to .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to filter one room. Or they can be installed inside your HVAC system, providing strong filtration for your complete residence.

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of all the contaminants from your residence’s air. But when used in tandem with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Perks of an Air Purifier

Installing an air purifier in your residence can give lots of outstanding health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers lower contaminants in your residence, like some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your home doesn’t struggle with allergies or asthma, an air purifier can reduce other troubles associated with poor indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be difficult to identify issues related to indoor air quality, as they can be triggered by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave home, your indoor air quality is probably causing the issue.

3. Eliminates Odors

Lingering odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you having problems with getting rid of strong smells in your home, we advise buying 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 family in good health even more so during winter months. To get full advantage of this plus, our professionals recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

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

  • Makes ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t have HEPA filters. For the best filtration, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Considered the gold standard for healthy air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We recommend installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style operates with your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc., we make it easy to choose the best air purifier for your home. Contact us at 570-648-0748 to get started breathing cleaner air right away!