5 Common Things You Should Know About Air Purifiers

Are you interested in using air purifiers in your Wilmington, North Carolina, home? Air purifiers can help improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep it smelling as fresh as possible. Your HVAC technician can provide recommendations on larger scale air purifiers, especially ones for businesses or large homes. Learn what you need to know about air purifiers before you install one in your home.

Not All Air Purifiers Are the Same

Not all air purifiers are the same, and in some ways, you get what you pay for. Inexpensive air purifiers that you can buy in a big box store won’t likely be as effective or durable as proven brands available from HVAC contractors. The design and function of an air purifier will have a lot to do with how well it works.

Some air purifiers require disposable filters, while others have washable filters that last much longer. The type and construction of the filter can arguably have the biggest difference in how well your unit works. When considering your options, check the quality and type of the unit’s filters before making a final decision.

An Air Purifier Can’t Remove Everything

An air purifier won’t be able to remove everything that is floating around in the air. Most units have ratings that clarify how small of particles they can remove from the air, and no air purifier is capable of removing 100 percent of airborne particles. The goal is to be able to remove the smallest particles possible for your needs.

However, you don’t need your air purifier to remove everything for you to notice a difference. Well-built units can remove the majority of harmful and smelly particles from the air. The ability to eliminate smells makes a significant and noticeable difference in your overall air quality. Keep in mind that the air that we breathe on a regular basis is not entirely clean either, so you don’t have to worry so much about trying to remove everything from the air.

Help with Allergies and Asthma

In addition to helping with the smell and indoor air quality, air purifiers can help limit the symptoms of allergies and asthma, especially when the allergy symptoms are a result of environmental allergies. After being diagnosed with allergies or asthma, a doctor will likely recommend that you buy an air purifier as a way to manage the symptoms and breathe better. Just be sure to keep the area well-dusted and vacuumed, so the unit has less to purify to begin with.

Consider Size and Range

An air purifier rated to work for an area of around 300 square feet will not work for your entire 1,600-square-foot home. If you want to purify the air in your entire house, you will need a whole-house unit or several air purifiers that can meet the needs of your space. Too often, people buy a single small air purifier and expect it to work to purify the air in their entire home.

Air Purifier Maintenance

Air purifiers require routine maintenance. Over time, dust and dirt become trapped in the system’s filter. This makes it impossible for the air purifier to effectively filter the air in your home. Start by reading the owner’s manual for your unit to see how often the manufacturer recommends that you replace or clean the filter. If your device has a washable filter, you’ll want to be proactive about keeping it clean. If something happens that adds more stress to your air purifier, such as smoke or pollen that enters the home, replacing or cleaning the air filter more frequently than scheduled may be necessary.

If you have concerns about your home’s indoor air quality or any other issues with your AC system, it is important to call in a professional. Call Airmax Heating & Cooling at 910-795-4359 for an indoor air quality assessment. Purchasing an air purifier is just one step you can take to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Image provided by Bigstock