Is an Air Purifier Worth the Cost?

Feb 23, 2024

Author

Jake Nielson

Manager

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

They’re useful, according to the EPA, as they’re a fantastic method to enhance your Warrenton residence’s indoor air quality. Today’s homes are securely sealed and heavily insulated, which is fantastic for energy efficiency, but not so good for indoor air quality.

Because updated homes don’t normally allow in as much outdoor air as older residences, irritants such as 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 vulnerable to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality professionals at Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning can help you cut through the clutter and find the best home air purifier. Just give us a call at 636-456-5041 and we’ll be happy to provide support. In the meantime, find out more about how air purifiers clean the air, their pluses and our advice to help you find the ideal air purifier.

How Do Air Purifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Most home air purifiers have a fan to draw in air. Then, the air moves through one or more filters to collect pollutants before being recirculated.

These filters may have 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 as little as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be lightweight and used to filter a single space. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, delivering powerful filtration for your total residence.

The EPA says it’s important to know that air purifiers can’t get rid of every contaminant from your house’s air. But when used in tandem with a better filter for your HVAC system, they can significantly lower the concentration of indoor air pollution.

4 Advantages of Air Purifier Installation

Installing an air purifier in your home can give a lot of great health pluses. Here are just a few of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease contaminants in your home, such as some of these typical triggers:

  • Dust

  • Pollen

  • Mold

  • Volatile organic compounds, including 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 reduce other symptoms related to poor indoor air quality. These involve:

  • Dry throat, eyes, nose or skin

  • Headaches

  • Sneezing and coughing

  • Fatigue

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

It can be hard to determine issues related to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to many other illnesses. However, if you’re observing that symptoms lessen after you leave your house, your indoor air quality is possibly causing a problem.

3. Removes Odors

Persistent odors, like cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to get rid of. If you having issues with removing strong smells in your home, our pros recommend getting an air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter.

4. Can Reduce Your Chance of Getting Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in better health especially during winter months. To get total advantage of this plus, our pros recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an additional layer of protection against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Stay Away From

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

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers produce ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests skipping ozone air purifiers.

  • Doesn’t include HEPA filters. For the best outcome, you’ll want a HEPA air purifier. Known as the gold standard for clean air, HEPA filters are used in many healthcare settings, like hospitals.

  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air throughout your home. This option works alongside your home comfort system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality specialists at Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning, we make it uncomplicated to buy the best air purifier for your residence. Reach us at 636-456-5041 to begin breathing cleaner air right away!