Benefits of Air Purifier: Top 12 Advantages that Make a Difference in Air Quality!
Are there any benefits of air purifier use and can it help to improve indoor air quality? If you have these queries you are not alone. In order to provide you with legit answers, I invite you to check out this detailed guide and learn how this device can make a difference. Let’s get started!
Quick Answer
There are different types of air purifiers and each unit is equipped with various types or a combination of filters. This setup of the filtration system helps in many ways such as:
Improve indoor air quality;
Get rid of airborne pollutants;
Reduce unpleasant smells.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. To clear any confusion, continue reading to learn about all the 14 benefits of the air purifier, its working mechanism, and the importance of air quality. Let’s dive deeper into the details!
Air Pollution and Air Purifier: Does Quality of Air Matter?
Yes, maintaining cleaner air quality is an important factor in getting rid of pollutants and ensuring excellent health. Pollutants can be categorized in the following ways:
Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
Causes of Outdoor Air Pollution
Dander
Smoke
Cooking Odors
Pollens
VOCs
Combustible Fuel Emissions
Pet Dander
Factory Emissions
Candle Smoke
Dust Mites
Cigarette Smoke
Mold/Mold Spores
These dangerous contaminants can cause allergies, respiratory problems, and even cancer if left unchecked/untreated. Some common symptoms that notify these problems are itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing. Air purifiers can help you to tackle all of these issues. Let’s head toward the next section and learn about the perks of a purifier in detail.
12 Benefits of Air Purifier That Can Make A Huge Difference
For many people, air purifiers are like any other common household appliance. But, knowing its benefits can surely convince you to buy one. Getting rid of indoor pollutants, allergens, viruses, and odors is crucial to maintain good health. Let me tell you in detail.
1. Purifiers Help Cleaning Air Pollution
An air purifier cleans the indoor surroundings and ensures that you are breathing fresh and clean air. The unit helps to filter out any irritants or unwanted airborne particles that can make you sick.
2. Help in Reducing Indoor Odors
Odors in your home can be due to various reasons among which cooking smell is the most common. Mold or pet litter also contribute to really unpleasant experiences.
Proper ventilation can solve this issue but if that is not possible then an air purifier can solve this problem. A special activated carbon filter can absorb the odors efficiently and ensure that the air is clean.
3. HEPA Air Purifiers Fights Airborne Allergens
Pet dander, pollen, and dust are very common forms of allergens. These airborne particles can trigger allergic reactions such as:
Coughing;
Sneezing;
A runny nose.
Air purifiers help to trap particles in the air reducing the risk of allergy or breathing problems.
This video will give valuable information about the topic!
Cleaner Air Relieves Allergy Symptoms of Asthma
True HEPA filters help to remove airborne particles of 0.3 microns and larger. For people suffering from asthma, air purifiers are a blessing as the unit can get rid of any irritants in the air that can trigger a flare-up or reaction.
Dust Mites – Purifiers Eliminate Them Easily!
Most air purifiers specialize in filtering out any dust particles that can result in dust mites invading your home:
Basic 1-inch filters, pleated filters, or even pre-filters can effectively trap larger airborne particles.
While the HEPA filters will ensure that no smaller particles even dust mites escape the air purifier.
4. Get Rid of Smoke and Outdoor Air Pollution
Wildfire or smoke from an indoor fireplace can build up smoke or a lingering smell inside your home. Also, in places where the wood stove is commonly used this problem can occur. Air purifiers reduce any traces of smoke and eliminate the smell that can cause eye irritation or coughing.
5. Less Dust for Better Indoor Air Quality
The indoor environment of your home has dust and airborne particles that are invisible to your eye but an air purifier can easily filter and catch these irritants. The air purifier will catch the dust before it starts to settle on the surfaces.
Here is a video for a better understanding of dust removal!
6. Seasonal Allergies Reduced via HEPA Filters
People with seasonal allergies can have really bad allergic reactions such as irritation in the nose and fever. In such a scenario, you can take full advantage of an air filtration unit. Because it is equipped with high-efficiency filters that can trap any indoor allergens or pollens released by grasses or trees.
7. Effectively Reduction Of Mold Spores
Mold can grow in moist places such as bathroom floors or laundry rooms. An excessive amount of mold will release spores that can cause allergic reactions or respiratory issues for people who are allergic to them.
An air purifier can reduce these microscopic spores in the air and ensure that you are safe from any allergies.
Note: The purifier cannot eliminate the root cause but only the spores released are trapped.
8. Eliminating Indoor Air Pollutants and Asbestos Exposure
Often materials used in the construction of homes contain asbestos. So, there are chances that the asbestos particles might be present in your indoors.
Air purifiers help to prevent the spread of these harmful particles that can cause lung damage. A unit with a True HEPA filter is the most effective solution to this problem.
9. An Air Purifier Is Effective For Radon
Radon is a toxic gas and it is very hard to detect as it is colorless and odorless. A quality air purifier equipped with activated carbon filters eliminates the dangerous fumes of this gas that can cause lung cancer. Always check the units that have such filters fitted in them.
For more insights into Radon exposure, check out this helpful video!
10. Air Purifiers Save Time for Home Cleaning
If you are usually busy and have less time to perform cleaning chores then an air purifier is your best buddy. It is capable of catching most of the dust and airborne particles indoors preventing large amounts of debris from collecting on cupboard tops or furniture.
This saves you cleaning time and also ensures a cleaner environment in your home.
11. Proven HVAC Filter Longevity
Your HVAC uses a ventilation system to heat or cool the indoor environment. But, dust, pet dander, and other similar particles can choke their outlets.
Air purifiers by capturing these tiny particles ensure a clean indoor environment allowing a longer life of the heating and cooling ventilation systems.
12. Best For Peaceful Sleep
If you easily get allergies from irritants in the air then an air purifier can help you sleep better. Nobody wants to get their sleep disturbed by coughing and sneezing during the time of rest.
With a purifier installed such allergens are effectively eliminated from the air to ensure quality nap time for you.
For further understanding, check out this helpful video.
Air purifiers can help in filtering out the majority of indoor pollutants and airborne particles.
For a better insight into an air purifier unit, let’s first learn about the filters used in it and the most known types. I have compiled them in an orderly manner for your understanding!
HEPA Filters or High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters
Here are some important facts about the HEPA filters that you should know:
An ultrafine mesh is present in True HEPA air filters that catch any mold spores, dust, pollen, pet dander, and more.
With this type of filter installed in the air purifier, you can easily ensure that 99.97% of indoor air pollution (0.3 microns and larger size) is filtered from the air.
Always make sure that you are investing in an air purifier that has this type of filter and nothing less than this.
Important! Double check if the specifications mention “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-like” as both have a very large difference. Both these types do not fulfill the certification requirements and standards of a “True HEPA filter”.
Activated Carbon Filters for Better Air Quality
Let’s learn about these filters by reading the critical piece of information below:
Air purifiers with this type of filter are best for indoor spaces that have smells or dangerous gases.
A kitchen or a room with a fireplace is an ideal place to install units with these types of filters.
The working mechanism is called “Adsorption“. It uses a method that sticks indoor air pollution to the carbon lattice.
Carbon material used in these types of filters specializes in absorbing cooking smells, unpleasant smells, and fumes from dangerous gases such as radon or volatile organic compounds.
Pro tip: You should choose an air purifier that has both a True HEPA filter and this type equipped in the unit for effective cleaning.
UV Light Air Purifiers Help Tackle Germs and Bacteria
UV air purifiers specialize in getting rid of bacteria, viruses, mold, and other harmful particles in the air. It uses short-wave UV-light technology to eliminate these microorganisms.
Note: The only downside is that it does not get rid of other types of particles (dust, dander) as it cannot remove or trap them.
Ionic Air Purifiers: Does it Improve Poor Indoor Air Quality?
These types of air purifiers make use of ionizers that charge the particles electrically making them stick to metal plates present in the purifying unit.
Note: I would recommend you check out the specs of such purifiers in detail as they are also known to release Ozone which is considered harmful.
If you want to know more about the benefits of air purifiers and their working mechanism, watch this amazing video.
Methods to Enhance the Indoor Air Quality
Besides using a purifier, there are also some other methods that contribute to better indoor air. I have compiled a list of techniques that can make a difference. Let’s learn about them:
Loosen the dirt: Use a sprayer to dampen the dust to trap it more easily and prevent it from spreading.
Regularly duct checking: Routine inspections of ducts can help prevent mold and dust collection.
Effective ventilation: Proper ventilation is necessary so opening the window to allow it to pass out is an excellent strategy.
Preventing dust buildup and humidity: If you clean the rugs, carpets, or any other similar items dust buildup is prevented. Also, check for any moisture or humidity problems in your home.
FAQs
Is it good to use an air purifier every day?
Yes, it is good to use an air purifier every day. It helps you to breathe fresh air, enhances sleep, and ensures that unwanted particles such as allergens, dander, and dust are removed from indoor air.
Do air purifiers really work?
Yes, an air purifier aids in removing 99.97% of pollutants from the air, and the unit also ensures that indoor air is clean.
Is there a downside to air purifiers?
There are not many downsides to air purifiers in your home aside from investing money in buying the unit and the power consumption expenses.
Summing up the benefits of air purifiers, if you have installed one in your home or office space, then you will enjoy cleaner indoor air. The air purifier helps you to avoid allergens, viruses, germs, volatile organic compounds, and more. There is no potential downside to buying a purification unit except that you have to put your money into it.
The only minor detail you need to keep in mind is that the air purifier should be equipped with high-grade and multiple filters like HEPA or Activated Carbon Filter. The right unit will capture airborne pollutants of different types and ensure that the indoor air is safe to breathe in.
Danny is a passionate writer who loves to share his knowledge about air purifiers. He’s been writing for 10 years, and he’ll share all that experience with Very Well Home viewers to help you make the best decision when it’s time to buy an appliance!
