Today’s homes are built to be more energy efficient than ever, with tightly sealed doors, windows, foundations, and deeply insulated attics and walls. A benefit for sure when it comes to reducing energy consumption, but all at the cost of poorer indoor air quality.

You see, once less outdoor air is allowed in, dust, pet dander, chemicals, odors, and other pollutants can accumulate and cause indoor air pollution up to five times greater than what you experience outdoors – that’s according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And that presents quite the problem for anyone suffering from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments.

The solution? An air purifier. Read on to learn about the health benefits of air purifiers and how to choose the right one for your family’s needs.

Advantages of Air Purifiers

One of the most important benefits of an air purifier is its ability to reduce allergy and asthma triggers by decreasing pollutants such as dust, pollen, mold, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from building materials, household cleaners, new carpet and furnishings, and more. While no air purifier can remove all contaminants from the air, they can greatly reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution by removing up to 99.7% of particles as small as .3 microns.
Even if no one in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, an air purifier can minimize other symptoms like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, coughing and sneezing, scratchy throat, eyes, nose, and more. It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the cause of such symptoms, but if you notice you feel better upon leaving your home, air quality may be the problem.
In addition to reducing symptoms related to respiratory issues, an air purifier can reduce your chances of getting sick from certain types of bacteria and viruses during cold and flu season. For best results, we recommend choosing a UV air purifier – disinfecting UV lights help further protect you from airborne pathogens.
Cigarette smoke, cooking odors, pet odors, and other smells can linger, settling into your upholstered furniture and carpeting. An air purifier with a charcoal or activated carbon filter can help banish strong, unpleasant odors for fresher, more pleasant indoor air.

Choosing an Air Purifier

There are several of options to choose from, all capable of delivering the freshest, cleanest indoor air possible. When choosing an air purifier for your home, consider the following.

Stay away from ozone-producing air purifiers since ozone can irritate the lungs.
HEPA filters are considered the gold standard when it comes to cleaner indoor air; choose an air purifier that uses a HEPA filter.
A portable air purifier only purifies one room at a time. Consider a whole-house air purifier which works in tandem with your HVAC system to filter the air throughout your home.

Here at Optimum Air, we offer the whole package – more comfortable surroundings plus the cleanest possible indoor air. So, if you’re not feeling great in your own home, contact us today to learn about our several heating, cooling, and air quality options.