Did you know that the air inside your home contains many more contaminants than the air outside? Well—on average, at least—it’s true. But during the winter months, we’re not able to air out our homes very often without paying a lot extra for heat. And it’s also the season when we’re most likely to encounter germs like the cold and flu!
What can we do to breathe fewer contaminants and germs without letting all the heat out of our homes? There are great ways to improve your indoor air quality or “IAQ,” and an air purifier is at the top of the list. Here’s an IAQ FAQ for you.
Don’t HVAC Systems Have Air Filters Already?
Yes! It is true that your air conditioner and your furnace contain air filters. But those are to prevent particles, hair, dust, and grit from getting inside the inner workings of the furnace or AC unit. They’re meant to maximize airflow and decrease the risk of overheating components in there. They aren’t intended to significantly improve your air quality.
Is a Portable System Enough for My Home?
Small, lightweight, portable air filtration and purification systems are available for purchase at many home goods stores. They can make a big impact, but only if they’re being used in a very small space. Got a dorm room with poor air quality? This is your solution. But for an entire house, they’ll hardly make any difference at all.
That’s why whole-house filtration or purification systems are so fantastic. They’re installed as an addition to your HVAC system. All the air that passes through your ducts, whether you’re running the heat or the AC, must also pass through the filter or purifier. These systems drastically reduce the contaminants in the air all throughout your house.
What’s the Difference Between a Filter and a Purifier?
An air filtration system might be somewhat more complex than the filter you use to make coffee, but the basic idea is the same. As the air (or water, in the case of coffee) is pushed through the filter, particles are trapped. What comes out the other side has much less “stuff” in it. This approach is especially good at catching large particles, like pet hair.
Air purifiers do more than catch things as they pass through. They actually neutralize germs by exposing them to UV light at a specific frequency. Bacteria, mold spores, and other tiny pathogens which might have passed right through a filter simply disintegrate. They can’t withstand the light, and they will no longer be able to cause illness or irritation.
What Are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?
People often report huge changes in their lives after getting air purifiers. Obviously there’s less illness, which means missing fewer days of school or work. But there’s more! Homes smell fresher. People have fewer headaches, fewer allergy symptoms, and fewer asthma attacks. They even have more energy and better moods all day—possibly because they’re sleeping better at night.
If an air purifier in Bossier City, LA sounds like exactly what you need to have a happier, healthier winter, we’d love to talk with you about all the options!
Contact us today to discuss air filtration and purification or any other HVAC needs.