A high-quality air purifier can have many benefits. At Monarch Home Services, we install air purifiers near Bakersfield and Fresno, including advanced particulate filtration systems, air scrubbers, and more. From reducing indoor air pollution to helping you breathe easier, an air purifier can make a big difference in your quality of life.
We’ll now look at 5 benefits of air purifiers to help you decide whether to add one to your home:
1. Removes Airborne Particulates
An air purifier can act as a filter to remove various particulates and contaminants that can cause respiratory irritation. Depending on the model, it can eliminate the following:
- Dust: The dust that floats in the air and settles on surfaces isn’t just a nuisance. It can trigger allergies and contribute to air pollution. Plus, it can attract dust mites that can irritate when breathed in.
- Allergens: Allergens include a range of particulates that can cause discomfort. They can be hard to trap without a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which is included in some of the best air purifiers.
- Fine Particles: HEPA filters can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. Most dust particles are 5 microns or less, so a high-efficiency air purifier should capture most airborne contaminants.
- Pet Dander: Pet dander measures around 2.5 microns, so you’ll want a good air purifier if you have shedding pets at home. Many people underestimate or are unaware of the potential allergic effects of pet dander.
- Smoke: Ranging between 0.1 and 0.3 microns, smoke particles are among the smallest. You’ll need a high-end purifier if anyone in your household smokes tobacco or if wildfire smoke is common in your area.
Some air purifiers can also capture radon gas, a colorless, odorless substance emitted from soil and ground materials that can enter through cracks in floors or walls. Radon exposure can cause lung cancer. A HEPA air purifier can also capture asbestos particles, so it should be installed in an older home.
2. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
If you experience sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy, watery eyes while at home, and these symptoms go away when you leave, there may be allergens in the air. Oftentimes, allergy symptoms get worse at night or when you wake up in the morning. Common allergens include pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold spores. They can also serve as triggers of asthma flare-ups.
Allergies and asthma can be affected by visible airborne particles, like floating dust, and those too small to see. High-efficiency air filters can remove microscopic particles; some purifiers can destroy organic pollutants, so you don’t deal with their effects. Overall, air filters can improve your quality of life and help you get a better night’s sleep.
3. Lowers the Risk of Airborne Virus Exposure
Airborne particles and respiratory droplets can help transmit cold, flu, COVID-19, and other viruses. Viral infections can spread quickly through a household this way. When someone coughs, sneezes, or just breathes normally, viruses can attach to airborne particulates and reach other parts of your home.
Some air purifiers are powerful enough to capture and remove bacteria and viruses. Some also use ultraviolet light and other technologies to inactivate these organic pollutants. This reduces the risk of transmitting viruses but doesn’t eliminate it.
4. Can Help Control Mold Growth
High humidity and poor ventilation create conditions ideal for mold to grow. As mold spreads, it releases microscopic spores that can reach any corner of your home. A HEPA filter can capture these spores so they don’t circulate and settle on surfaces. If your filter has a built-in dehumidifier, it can control moisture levels, so it’s less likely mold will grow.
5. Eliminates Harmful Chemicals
Other indoor air pollutants, including chemicals and vapors from household products, can have long-term effects on your respiratory, cardiac, and neurological health. If you live in a heavily populated area with air pollution (as many in Central California do), pollutants from vehicles, factories, wildfire smoke, and other sources can enter your home.
Aside from organic pollutants, a high-quality air filter can remove these, improving indoor air quality and potentially increasing overall health and life expectancy. It can also remove unpleasant odors from volatile organic compounds found in aerosol sprays, paints, air fresheners, upholstered furniture, and other sources.
Monarch Home Services Can Help Find the Right Air Purifier Near You
To help you benefit from an air purifier, our NATE- and EPA-certified indoor air quality professionals can install air scrubbers, HEPA filters, and high-efficiency duct systems. They can also provide duct cleaning services to eliminate dirt buildup and impurities. Improving HVAC registers can also reduce indoor air quality issues. To learn about these and other air quality solutions for your home or building in Bakersfield or Fresno, call (661) 215-6573 today.