The answer is no. They are worth the money as they are an excellent way to enhance indoor air quality. Besides improving air quality, it has many advantages that will compel you to buy one!
Are Air Purifiers a Waste of Money
It is typical to wonder if air purifiers are a waste of money. Because there are many brands in the market claiming a lot and some seem too good to be true.
No doubt that modern houses are secured and insulated which is great for energy efficiency. But what about indoor air quality?
Usually, modern houses don’t bring in much air as older houses and it contributes to building up dust inside the house. You can say that the air inside is more polluted than the air outside. If you are dealing with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems, then this can be a problem.
In situations like this, installing an air purifier can be of great help. For your convenience, here’s a list of the health perks of having an air purifier.
Advantages of Having an Air Purifier
Removes Asthma Triggers
Most asthma triggers are found inside your home. Triggers can include dust, dirt, skin cells, air fresheners, household cleaners, carbon monoxide, perfumes, smoke from cooking, paint products, hairspray, and cosmetics. Moreover, there can be cockroaches or mold spores in your area. New carpets also possess threats since they release fumes.
If these particles are not released from the air and are inhaled, they can cause wheezing among asthma patients. An air purifier is a must to clear the air of such triggers. To reduce the possibility of an asthma attack, you should choose air purifiers that can clear tiny airborne particles.
Eliminates Allergens Such As Pet Odor and Dust
When you are breathing in pet odor, dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen, your body produces an allergy antibody. It initiates allergic reactions. A good air purifier can eliminate these allergens without releasing ozone.
Reduces Carbon Dioxide Level Inside the Home
When confined in a place with less possibility of oxygen circulation, for example, having plants, carbon dioxide is produced too often compared to oxygen. Since we breathe in carbon dioxide automatically, it can be harmful to our bodies.
Inhaling too much carbon dioxide can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, weakness, headaches, sweating, nausea, lung diseases, and even death!
To avoid such cases, you should have a HEPA air purifier.
Increases Air Circulation
There are many ways to circulate air in your house. But an air purifier can give you the best solution. It can circulate air in a room up to six times an hour.
Other ways include keeping your doors and windows open, turn exhaust fans for a long time which is not always possible.
Lessens Contaminations in Health Clinics and Hospitals
Indoor pollution in hospitals and clinics is more destructive than in any other place. People are close to bacteria, and airborne viruses. Disinfectants used to terminate those bacteria leave toxins in the air.
The bacteria and viruses can settle anywhere and affect other patients. You can find these germs anywhere: on clipboards, pens, magazines, doorknobs, office brochures.
An air purifier can remove such particles from the air before they can settle and affect others. Also, the toxins from disinfectants are eliminated through it. Physicians operating on infectious ailments also use these to avoid contamination.
Removes Dangerous Insects
Air purifiers can remove annoying insects that pass on germs and diseases. So you don’t need sprays that add toxins to the air. Moreover, when you are using insecticides, not all insects are affected by them. For instance, mosquitoes are not affected by such toxins and spread diseases like malaria. An air purifier can easily eliminate such harmful insects.
Reduces Stress and Improves Mood Level
There is a saying, if you breathe unpolluted air, you are less stressed than those breathing polluted air. Clean air from an air purifier makes you less agitated and helps to maintain a good mood and temper. Some purifiers use ionizers that create negative ions. Those ions lessen depression and contribute to your positive mood.
Gets Rid of Unpleasant Odor
At room temperature, chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and gasoline break down and cause an off-gassing odor. These chemicals are found in air fresheners, paints, upholstered furniture, and paints. Such odors cause breathlessness, nausea, and can affect your cognitive functions. The HEPA purifiers with activated carbon filters can effectively trap those chemicals and reduce pollutants in the air.
What Can We Do to Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Air purifier does its best to improve the indoor air quality. Comparing with the humidifier, an air purifier is really effective. However, you can also do something to contribute to the process. Here’s what you can do:
- Get rid of mildew and mold
- Clean your house frequently
- If your house is very humid, use a dehumidifier
- Keep the fans and ductwork clean
- Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
- Regularly replace the air filter in your air purifier as well as the cooling and heating system. You should clean the air filters every few weeks and replace them after six to eight months. To save bother, you can select a model with a permanent filter.
Which Air Purifiers Should We Stay Away From?
These are some features of air purifier you should avoid:
Ones That Don’t Have HEPA Filters
If you want the best filtration, you will need a HEPA air purifier. Since they set a higher standard for clean air, these filters are widely used in healthcare centers like hospitals.
Ones That Create Ozone
You should avoid ozone air purifiers as they can damage your lungs.
Ones That Purifies Only One Room
It’s best if you buy a whole-house purifier. This way, the air in every room will be filtered.
FAQ
Q: Does an Air Purifier Use a Lot of Electricity?
Ans: Usually, HEPA air purifiers use 50 to 200 Watts of electricity. And experts suggest leaving the purifier on 24/7. You need to keep this in mind. However, the Energy Star program certifies some purifiers as “energy efficient.” You can buy those models.
Q: Which Type of Air Purifier Should I Look for to Avoid Allergies?
Ans: Air purifiers with HEPA filters are the best options in this case. HEPA filters can trap 99.97% particles (of .3 microns and larger). Look for portable ones that can clean up to 700 sq. ft. Most importantly, you must look for certified HEPA filters as there are many fakes ones in the market. HEPA filters are great at eliminating allergens like pet dander, dust, and pollen.
Conclusion
When you witness so many advantages of an air purifier, you will know that it is definitely worth the money. An air purifier is a great tool for people suffering from respiratory problems or who are prone to sickness. Moreover, if you live in an area with a high level of air contamination, having a purifier can be a great deal! Air purifiers that offer a high level of purification are worth it.
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