Dust, Allergies, Mold, Odors: Are Air Purifiers Worth It?

Are you hunting for an easy and effective way to enhance your indoor air quality at home? Whole-house air purifiers are an excellent solution for removing airborne pollutants such as allergens, dust, mold and other dangerous particles from the air. Purification systems can also get rid of airborne contaminants such as pet dander, mold spores and smoke, creating a healthier environment for everyone in the home. With the appropriate air purifier, you’ll have a powerful tool in your arsenal for healthier indoor air quality in Ames.

Let’s explore the benefits of an air purifier and why they are really worth investing in.

Are Air Purifiers Actually Helpful?

Air purifiers are very good at decreasing levels of airborne particles like dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander and smoke from the air. Some units are even strong enough to remove extremely small particles, such as those from odors or viruses, from your home’s air.

There are a lot of designs of air purifiers to choose from, ranging from compact, standalone models to whole-house air purifiers that work in conjunction with your central HVAC system. Depending on the style, some purifiers utilize effective air filters while others use ultraviolet (UV) light for its sanitation properties. Some models even use both for optimum air quality benefits.

What Are Air Purifiers for?

Air purifiers draw in air from the nearby environment and trap unwanted pollutants and particles as they move through a series of filters. These filters are made of fine mesh or activated carbon that is ideal for catching dust, molds, pet dander, smoke particles, chemicals and other airborne debris. The fan in the air purifier then distributes clean air directly into the ductwork for circulation.

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

Air purifiers bring in air with a fan before pushing it through one or more filters. Debris is gradually caught by the line of filters, and then the newly purified air is blown out of the purifier. Depending on its design, an air purifier may utilize electrical charges or ultraviolet light to remove additional contaminants.

Other types of filtration found in air purifiers:

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters: One of the most effective filter designs available, HEPA filters are designed to clear out up to 99.97% of particles from the air—as tiny as 0.3 microns! Bear in mind that such efficiency can also decrease airflow.
• Activated carbon filters: These filters consist of finely ground activated carbon, which contains an electric charge able to attract things like odor particles.
• Photocatalytic oxidation: This process uses UV light to start a reaction that breaks down microorganisms like bacteria, mold and some viruses. With their DNA impaired, many microbes can no longer replicate and are essentially done away with.

Do Air Purifiers Help with Dust?

Air purifiers are designed to help cut down on the levels of dust in your home, providing relief from allergies and other respiratory issues brought on by airborne particulate matter. By capturing particles like dust in their filtration systems, air purifiers can make the air within a room or house cleaner and fresher.

If you’re looking to minimize the dust in your home, contact a certified Lennox dealer to enhance your indoor air quality in Ames.

Should People with Allergies Get an Air Purifier?

High-efficiency air purifiers are designed to capture more than 99% of pollutants and particles, which means the air you breathe after it is processed by an air purifier is significantly cleaner and healthier. This helps reduce symptoms linked to allergies and respiratory illnesses, because it removes potential irritants from the air.

Will Air Purifiers Work on Mold and Mildew?

Air purifiers are one of the most reliable ways to fight mold. By trapping airborne particles and spores, they help deter mold from evolving into a health hazard in small spaces. Additionally, many purifiers come with other features that are created to eliminate mold, such as activated carbon filters and ultraviolet (UV) lights. Activated carbon filters help take out smells and other undesirable elements from the air, while UV lights can kill any active mold spores in the air. Together, these features allow for a thorough cleaning of the air in your home or office, which helps keep everyone comfortable and healthy.

Do Air Purifiers Help with Smell?

Not only do air purifiers help improve air quality by removing particles like dust, pollen, smoke and other allergens from the air, but some air purifiers also help remove any unpleasant odors that might be stubbornly refusing to leave your home.

Air purifiers use a combination of filters, including activated carbon and HEPA filters, to confine and pull odors from the air. This ensures that your home will remain smelling fresh and clean without any embarrassment of lingering odors. By making an investment on a whole-home air purifier, you can make certain that that your home has exceptional indoor air quality and is pleasant-smelling all year-round.