Are Air Purifiers Worth It?

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is five times more polluted than outdoor air. Whether in an office or working from home, more and more people are spending most of their time indoors. Breathing contaminated air could lead to respiratory complications. So, we propose the use of air purifiers to ensure clean indoor air.

Indoor air pollutants include dust, mould, chemicals, odours, smoke, pet hair, fungi, bacteria, and pollen among others.

Benefits of Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are expensive appliances, and homeowners cannot help and wonder if they are worth the money. But the best air purifiers will eliminate contaminants from your indoor air, which is enough reason to invest in one.

Exposing yourself to contaminated air poses a risk of developing respiratory diseases and other health complications that can cost you more to treat. What’s more, if you react to dust and other allergens or you are asthmatic, you need an air purifier to improve your indoor air quality.

In this section, we will discuss the benefits you will get from using air purifiers. Read on…

1. Air purifiers reduce asthma and allergy triggers

Dust, pollen, pet dander, and VOCs are common asthma and allergy triggers. Unfortunately, they are all present in the air. Dust and pollen come in with the breeze when you open your door and windows. Then, they stick on surfaces in the house. Also, they stick to your clothes when you are outside.

Besides, air fresheners, burning candles, cleaning chemicals, and personal care products release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to our health when inhaled. Also, if you are a dog or cat parent, they shed all year round.

Also, when they scratch themselves, they release pet dander, which floats in the air and settles on your surfaces. So, asthma and allergy sufferers breathing such air will always be sick.

Vacuuming and dusting your house cleans your home, but it does not eliminate all the air contaminants. Some will be left floating in the air, and only air purifiers can pick them up. Thankfully, most Air purifiers use HEPA filters which trap air contaminants as small as 0.3 microns leaving you with clean breathable air.

2. They neutralize odours and smells

Cooking smells, cigarette smoke, smells from surrounding areas, scented candles, and sprays engulf the house and can be tricky to eliminate. Opening doors and windows help remove some of the odors but not all of them.

The embarrassment of having guests in a smelly house can be a thing of the past if you find the right air purifier. Air purifiers with activated charcoal or carbon absorb all the odors leaving your home clean and fresh.

3. Air purifiers reduce pet messes

Pet guardians deal with pet hair, pet dander, and pet smells. Pets shed hair and dander throughout the year, which then rests on your sofa, carpet, and clothes. Inhaling these particles for a long time may lead to respiratory problems, especially in children and people suffering from asthma and allergies.

To reduce pet hair and dander, groom your pets often. However, grooming does not eliminate pet messes entirely. So, you need an air purifier to keep the air in your home clean while shedding and scratching.

4. They kill germs and bacteria

Indoor air contains pathogens that lead to cold, flu, and other sicknesses. Have you ever wondered how flu from one person spreads to the rest of the family? It is because they are breathing the same contaminated air.

True HEPA air purifiers capture bacteria and viruses in the air reducing infections. Also, you can use Ultraviolet air purifiers, which capture and kill pathogens for total disease prevention. So, if you are always in the hospital treating flu and cold cases, it is time to invest in a long-term solution by purchasing an air purifier.

5. Better sleep

Inhaling allergens before bedtime could lead to coughing, sore throat, wheezing, or nasal congestion, therefore disrupting your sleep. Further, if you are not well-rested, your productivity during the day is affected.

For better sleep, invest in air purifiers with HEPA filters which capture almost 100% of airborne allergens in your bedroom. What’s more, the soothing sound produced by air purifiers is calming and can help you enjoy a comfortable sleep.

At the lowest fan speeds, some of the best air purifiers produce pink noise. Such noise is known to make people get up to 25% better sleep.

6. Eliminate harmful chemicals

If you live in large cities, your indoor air will be polluted by dangerous chemicals from outside. Chemicals like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide from motor vehicle exhausts find their way in even with closed windows and doors.

Cleaning agents and gas stoves also produce these harmful chemicals, so you are not safe even in the countryside. Constant inhaling of chemicals leads to respiratory, cardiovascular issues, and some cancers.

Investing in air purifiers with activated carbon or charcoal is the only sure way to get rid of these dangerous chemicals and gases hence keeping your family safe from serious health complications.

The Best Air Purifier

If you doubted the functionality of air purifiers, you should see why you need one by now. There are many brands and models on the market, and choosing the best air purifier for your home or office might be a challenge.

So, what makes the best air purifier? The best air purifier is one that serves your specific needs. Therefore, start by identifying your needs. What are the major air contaminants in your space? How big is your house? Where do you stay? What is your budget?

The correct answers to these questions will land you the right air purifier for your home. You cannot buy an air purifier just because you loved the one in your sister’s house. Check out our compilation of the best air purifiers in Canada to find out which ones perform well.

Air Purifiers to Avoid

While air purifiers are meant to improve your indoor air quality, some may contain harmful features and are not suitable for home use. When buying an air purifier, avoid the ones that:

• Emit high ozone levels – air purifiers that produce high levels of ozone can lead to lung complications in the long run and should be avoided. However, some ozone generators produce acceptable ozone levels which in turn kill some pollutants such as mould.
• Do not use HEPA filters – the most effective air purifiers use True HEPA filters. You will notice that some air purifiers use other types of filters but in combination with HEPA filters for maximum efficiency. So, always look for the True HEPA sticker and beware of counterfeit products.

So, Are Air Purifiers Worth It?

The bottom line is that every household needs an air purifier. Many homes have asthma and allergy sufferers. So, to reduce attacks and triggers, they should try to inhale clean air all the time. And investing in an air purifier is the surest way to clean air.

Even if you do not have such cases in your home, you need clean air as a preventative measure. Inhaling contaminated air may result in respiratory diseases and other health complications in the future.

In conclusion, purchasing and maintaining an air purifier might be expensive, but the benefits will save you medical bills and sleepless nights. Therefore, air purifiers are definitely worth it.