If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you may be finding that some kinds are producing a lot of claims. And some of those claims may seem 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 an excellent approach to enhance your Rapid City home’s indoor air quality. Today’s houses are securely sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because updated residences don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as aging houses, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can concentrate inside. The result? Air that’s more contaminated than the outdoors, which is a problem if you are dealing with allergies, asthma or are vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Street Heating and Cooling can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 605-206-3915 and we’ll be happy to assist you. In the meantime, learn more about how air purifiers operate, their pluses and our advice to help you choose the best air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Most home air purifiers rely on a fan to collect air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect irritants before being recirculated.

These filters may incorporate 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 filtering tiny particles as small as .3 microns, like dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

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

The EPA says you should be aware that air purifiers can’t get rid of 100% of the contaminants from your home’s air. But when used in combination with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the amount of indoor air pollution.

4 Benefits of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your residence can deliver many good health pluses. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Decreases Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce pollutants in your home, including some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues 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 alleviate other issues associated with poor indoor air quality. These involve:

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

It can be tricky to identify symptoms 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 residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing the issue.

3. Eliminates Odors

Persistent odors, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tough to remove. If you are having a hard time with eliminating heavy smells in your home, we advise getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Might Decrease Your Chance of Being Sick

An air purifier can inactivate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your family in good health especially during colder months. To take complete advantage of this perk, our professionals suggest a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light delivers an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

You’re better off without select air purifiers. Here are several features to skip when picking a system for your home:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers create ozone, which can aggravate your lungs. The EPA advises avoiding ozone air purifiers.
  • Doesn’t use 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, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies a single room. We suggest installing a whole-house air purifier, which cleans the air in every room. This style operates in tandem with your heating and cooling system.

When you work with the indoor air quality professionals at Street Heating and Cooling, we make it simple to choose the best air purifier for your home. Give us a call at 605-206-3915 to start breathing fresher air right away!