Everything you Need to Know About Your Air Purifier

Is poor indoor air quality affecting you? It is surprising just how many contaminants people can breathe in daily. Changing your HVAC air filter is essential for clean air, however, investing in an air purifier can give you peace of mind that the air you and your family breathe is clean. Here is everything you need to know about air purifiers.

What are Air Purifiers Used For, and What do They Filter?

Air purifiers clean the air in any room of your home. When used correctly, they can remove dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles that can cause allergies and numerous health issues for you and your family. If you live with a smoker, air purifiers also reduce the effects of secondhand smoke – cutting the chances of illness and future respiratory illnesses.

The most common types of air pollution that air purifiers filter include:

• Dust and pollen. Airborne dust and pollen can cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
• Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate the lungs and cause cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Common household chemicals such as paint fumes, gasoline vapors, and cleaning products can harm your health if inhaled in large quantities.

Some air purifiers also claim to filter out viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

How do Air Purifiers Work?

A household air purifier uses filters to remove odors and contaminants from the air. You can buy a unit with a single filter or multiple filters. Some units have filters that can be cleaned or replaced when they get dirty, while others use disposable filters.

What are the Different Types of Air Purifiers?

There are many different types of household air purifiers. Some are more popular than others, but they all serve the purpose of cleaning the air inside your home.

A HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is the most popular type. These are very effective at filtering out small particles and allergens from the air. However, some purifiers use electrical currents to clean the air or UV light to kill bacteria.

When choosing an air filter for your home, know what type of filter works best for your needs. For example, many people with asthma or allergies need an air purifier with a HEPA filter because they’re more likely to suffer from symptoms caused by indoor air pollution. But HEPA filters aren’t always necessary if you don’t have an allergy or asthma problem and are just looking for ways to improve indoor air quality.

If you want something easy to maintain, an electronic or UV light may be the better choice since they require less maintenance.

How Effective are Air Purifiers?

Household air purifiers can effectively reduce the number of allergens in your home. However, they aren’t a cure-all and won’t eliminate all allergens. It depends on how much indoor pollution exists and how often you use your air purifier.

How often you change the filter in the air purifier will also impact its efficiency. The manufacturer will tell you how often to change the filter. For example, if you have a HEPA-type filter, it’s probably every six months. But if you have a less expensive filter that traps allergens and dust mites, it may be once a year.

It’s important to note that not all air purifiers will work well in every room of your home. Therefore, you should consult an expert before purchasing your first model to ensure it can effectively clean the air in different rooms and meet your needs.

When buying an air purifier, you should bear these six points in mind –

1. Easy to use controls and digital display
2. Quiet operation
3. Energy efficiency
4. Ease of maintenance
5. Warranty coverage
6. Cost

How to get the Most out of Your Air Purifier

Here are a few things you can do to maximize the efficiency of your air purifier.

• Brush pets frequently. Brushing your pet regularly helps prevent hair from getting into the air and on your furniture. This removes loose hairs that might otherwise end up in the air and clog up your filter.
• Schedule routine HVAC tune-ups. Air purifiers can effectively remove contaminants from the air, but they don’t last forever. If your air filters are dirty or clogged, they can be even less effective at filtering out pollution particles. Scheduling routine HVAC checks help prevent pollutants entering your home through your HVAC system, meaning your air purifier doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Change your bedding and do the vacuuming every week. Vacuuming and changing your bedding weekly are the best ways to keep dust and pollen at bay. That way, your air purifier doesn’t have to work as hard.

By following these recommendations, you’ll keep your Los Angeles home’s air as pollutant free as possible. To find out more about preventing indoor pollution, contact our HVAC experts.