Today’s air purifiers are smarter than ever and very home-friendly – but do you even need an air purifier? Generally, residential HVAC systems include basic filters to get rid of dust particles and similar issues. Replacing filters on a regular basis may be able to do the job just fine. But if you notice that’s not enough or you’re having to replace them even more frequently, it may be time to look into an air purifier.
An air purifier uses a series of filters designed to deal with specific airborne problems in a house. These can be standalone units or whole-house units installed into the HVAC system. If these options sound like something you may be interested in, here are a few situations where an air purifier may be a good choice.
Is Asthma a Problem in Your Household?
Asthma conditions respond poorly to irritating particles in the air like dust, dander, and spores. If poor indoor air quality is triggering more asthma attacks as a result, an air purifier may be able to provide relief and help improve your home’s indoor air quality.
The key feature to look for when it comes to asthma and related medical conditions is a HEPA filter. HEPA filters filter out almost all (at least 99.97%) of very smaller particles down to 0.3 microns. While these filters need to be replaced frequently because of how many particles they block, they are effective at clearing the air and are commonly used in medical environments working to avoid contamination. Ask your doctor about using an air filter and look for HEPA models for the best results!
Addressing an Awkward Pet Situation
Sometimes, pets can be an issue in a home. A member of the household may be allergic to pet dander or raise issues with pet odors. Guests may mention pet smells as well – and if it has reached a point where you’d like to consider alternative solutions, an air purifier may be a great way to solve the problem without impacting your pet’s comfort.
In addition to robust particle filters, look for models that include charcoal filters or carbon options that are specifically designed to trap odors. These can be very effective around pets, and a portable or standalone air conditioner may be well-suited for the task, as you can place it near a pet’s sleeping area, litter box, etc.
Reducing the Chance of Infections like COVID-19
Bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus, can easily be airborne, and that’s certainly not something you want circulating around your house if you can avoid it. If infection is a concern to you because of overall health conditions or risk mitigation, look for a highly-rated HEPA filter, which can also help remove virus particles and similar problems.
The recent Instant Air Purifier (yes, from the Instant Pot brand), for example, uses a three-filter design with a HEPA-13 filter that’s been laboratory tested against COVID-19 and removes 99.9% of the virus from the air in the right conditions. It also includes an ion filter to attract and trap additional particles for added protection and is a good example of what a standalone filter can current offer.
Dealing with Ongoing Smoke Issues
Annual fire seasons have shown just how perennial a problem that smoke can be, and that’s especially troubling for those sensitive to smoke issues or try to keep the smell from permeating their homes. If you’ve been enduring a “smoke season” for the past few years, it may be time to seek out a new method of dealing with it. Air purifiers with charcoal or carbon filters will be particularly useful at getting rid of smokey irritants before they can cause issues.
Worrying About VOCs and Other Airborne Compounds
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemical compounds that can leach into the air from things like new furniture or paint through a process called outgassing. VOCs are notorious for irritating the eyes and lungs, as well as raising the risk for cancer and other serious issues. If you want to remove VOCs in your home, look for air purifiers that included activated carbon filters to trap VOCs and stop them from circulating.
Final Note
Similar to AC units, air purifiers are sized by how much air they can handle over a period of time, which works out to a recommended space. Standalone air purifiers may only be able to handle a single room, and may struggle in large spaces, while whole-house models will have to be properly fitted to your unique home situation. For more information on filtration and air purifiers, you can contact American Comfort Express at any time. Submit an online request today to schedule a consultation for your home’s indoor air quality.
