A whole-house air purifier is a device that cleans your air for easier breathing, better health and greater comfort. Many of these air purifiers work by pressurizing air through a series of mechanical and other filtration stages. These stages trap particulates and remove many other pollutants and contaminants from the air. Manufacturers rate air purifiers by treatment volume and air changes per hour (ACH). A whole-house air purifier rated for 6 ACH will clean its treatment volume six times an hour. Let’s explore the benefits of having an air purifier that cleans all the air in your home many times per hour.
Better Dust Control
Effective dust control is integral to achieving and maintaining good indoor air quality. A whole-house air purifier can remove much of the airborne dust in your home. To limit airborne dust, experts recommend dusting often with a damp cloth and a microfiber duster. You should also vacuum floors, carpets, rugs, furniture and other furnishings weekly or even more often.
You should also use an HVAC filter with the highest minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) that your system allows. A filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 will keep most dust out of your HVAC system. Check that filter monthly, and swap it out as needed. You’ll still benefit from an air purifier, but these practices will help your HVAC system avoid exacerbating any air quality issues.
Reduced Allergens Overall
Dust isn’t the only allergen a whole-house air purifier will trap. They can trap most large particulate matter, including pollen, pet dander, mold spores and carpet fibers. If you opt for a system with a True HEPA filter, it will remove 99.97% of those particles. Many whole-house systems also have a prefilter. Prefilters are generally inexpensive and will trap the largest particles in order to preserve the more expensive HEPA filter. You’ll generally only need to change out the HEPA filter once or twice a year.
Fewer Fine and Ultra-Fine Particulates
HEPA filters also trap a significant amount of fine and ultra-fine particulate matter. Smog, for instance, is dangerous because of all the microscopic matter it contains. These can be present in your home because of the ambient pollution in your area. Air quality is an ongoing concern in California. The California Air Resources Board warns that over 90% of Californians will breathe unhealthy air at some point throughout the year. That air pollution leads to the hospitalization of many people annually. Simply being inside your home may not be enough to avoid it. These microscopic particles can get into your home from the outside. They can also build up over time resulting in higher concentration levels than you’d experience outdoors. A whole-house air purifier is an effective way to remove them.
Decreased Presence of Gases and Chemicals
Ongoing exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have a significant impact on your health. VOCs are chemicals emitted as gases. They can off-gas from furnishings in a home, such as drapes and particle board furniture. You can also introduce them to your home through the household cleaners and deodorizers that you use. Careful product choice is the best defense against VOCs, but an air purifier will provide you with added protection. Air purifiers can also remove smoke, fumes, formaldehyde and many other chemicals and gases.
While whole-home air purifiers can mitigate the effects of radon, they can’t remove radon. Radon is an invisible gas that you can’t smell or taste. It can appear suddenly in a home by seeping up from the ground. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. To protect against it, the EPA recommends regular indoor air quality testing. It also advises testing after any major home renovation.
Less Exposure to Viruses and Bacteria
Air purifiers with mechanical filtration will trap some viruses and bacteria. For more comprehensive protection, opt for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). Some air purifiers have an integrated UVGI stage. You can also pair a standard air purifier with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp in your ducts. In both cases, the UVGI works by giving off a germicidal light that neutralizes bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. UV lamps also provide expanded protection again dust mite eggs, which won’t hatch, and will neutralize mold spores and fungal spores.
Enjoy a Fresher-Smelling Home
Many whole-house air purifiers use activated charcoal as one of their stages. This substance is highly absorptive and allows an air purifier to trap chemicals and gases. Activated charcoal is a processed form of carbon with many tiny holes. Those spores provide the carbon with great surface area for absorption. They also allow activated charcoal to absorb unpleasant odors. This makes it much easier to keeping a home smelling fresh even when you can’t air it out.
Better Sleep and Less Snoring
Another reason to have an air purifier is a better sleep environment. Many sleep and respiratory specialists and allergists recommend an air purifier for this reason. Throughout the night, you’re exposed to airborne allergens. These can cause restless sleep and even disrupted sleep where you wake up partially or fully. Studies show that people sleep more restfully with an air purifier present. They’re also less prone to snoring because of less irritation and better air circulation.
Improved Asthma and Allergy Management
Air purifiers make people with asthma and allergies less prone to attacks. This is because there are fewer triggers present and less inflammation. The less inflammation also means that symptoms are generally not as severe when they occur. Many allergists recommend a whole-house air purifier with a 6 ACH or higher. They also echo the EPA advice of using portable air purifiers as well to achieve clean rooms. Be sure to consult with your allergist to determine what is appropriate for you.
Avoid Ozone in the Home
Ozone generators are air purifiers designed to clean air with ozone rather than traditional filter media. Some other types of air purifiers, such as ion generators, may produce ozone as a byproduct. Some brands will give ozone upbeat labels like activated oxygen and energized oxygen. Ozone can be effective as an air purifier. The problem is you need unhealthy levels of it to filter a home. For this reason, the federal government limits the level of ozone retail products can generate.
That means that ozone generators for the home are ineffective. They’re also not completely harmless. Ozone is an irritant. It can affect the breathing and sensitivity of people who otherwise have no respiratory issues. Ozone can be particularly triggering and exacerbating for those with asthma, bad allergies and other respiratory conditions. Because of this, California has banned these generators.
Local Air Purification Experts in Playa Vista
Belle Air Services has many years of experience serving Playa Vista and the entire Los Angeles Metro area. Our indoor air quality experts perform indoor air quality testing and install and service air purifiers, dehumidifiers and humidifiers. Our HVAC technicians also specialize in electric and fuel-burning furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and ductless mini-splits. If you have any questions about these services or would like to schedule an appointment, call today.
