If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you might be realizing that some kinds are spouting a lot of claims. And some of those claims could appear too good to be true. So, it’s only typical that you could be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money.

They’re useful, according to the EPA, because they’re an excellent method to improve your Manassas residence’s indoor air quality. Newer homes are solidly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which is good for energy efficiency, but not so excellent for indoor air quality.

Because updated houses don’t normally bring in as much fresh air as old residences, irritants including dust, pet dander and cleaning products can accumulate in your home. The outcome? Air that’s dirtier than the outdoors, which is bad news if you struggle with allergies, asthma or are susceptible to respiratory irritation.

Our indoor air quality pros at Woody's Sudden Service can help you cut through the clutter and select the best home air purifier. Just call us at 703-278-2036 and we’ll be happy to provide support. Meanwhile, discover more about how air purifiers clean the air, their advantages and our suggestions to help you choose the best 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 trap contaminants before being recirculated.

These filters can 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 capturing tiny particles as small as .3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and some bacteria.

An air purifier can be compact and used to treat a single room. Or they can be added to your HVAC system, providing powerful filtration for your complete home.

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 along with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly decrease the level of indoor air pollution.

4 Pluses of an Air Purifier

Getting an air purifier for your house can offer lots of outstanding health perks. Here are just a few of them.

1. Lowers Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers reduce contaminants in your residence, including some of these typical triggers:

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

2. Reduces Other Issues Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t experience allergies or asthma, an air purifier can alleviate other troubles linked to low indoor air quality. These include:

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

It can be difficult to determine issues related to indoor air quality, since they can be caused by a lot of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that symptoms lessen after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing trouble.

3. Eliminates Odors

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

4. Might Decrease Your Likelihood of Being Sick

An air purifier can remove some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your household in good health especially during cold months. To get full advantage of this perk, our pros advise a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light provides an additional layer of safeguard against airborne pathogens.

Air Purifiers to Skip

You’re better off without some air purifiers. Here are a few features to avoid when selecting a system for your residence:

  • Produces ozone. Some air purifiers make ozone, which can bother your lungs. The EPA suggests 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 many healthcare settings, like hospitals.
  • Only purifies an individual room. We recommend getting a whole-house air purifier, which filters the air across your home. This solution operates alongside your heating and cooling system.

When you partner with the indoor air quality professionals at Woody's Sudden Service, we make it simple to select the best air purifier for your house. Contact us at 703-278-2036 to start breathing cleaner air right away!