The Value of an Air Purifier for Your Home

For people who suffer from allergies and asthma due to poor indoor air quality, installing an air purifier may be just what the doctor ordered. Depending on the model you choose, an air purifier can help rid your home of dust, mold, cigarette smoke, pet odors and other common irritants. An air purifier can have significant health benefits even if you or your family do not suffer from respiratory ailments. They have been proven to reduce the incidence of colds and flu as well.

How an Air Purifier Works

After an air purifier has been installed, it immediately begins sucking in the household air and filtering out the airborne pollutants that can be hazardous to your health. The air actually circulates through the filter of the air purifier several times and it is able to eliminate 98 percent or more of such triggers as viruses, pollen and bacteria.

This results in air that is healthier to breathe, and ideally also reduces cold, allergy and asthma symptoms. By purifying the air with the use of an air purifier, you are able to prevent yourself and your family members from inhaling substances that will irritate your eyes, nose, throat and other parts of the body that aid in the breathing process.

Data collected by health officials indicates that roughly half of all major health conditions can be improved or eliminated by reducing people’s exposure to harmful indoor air. In addition to asthma, allergy symptoms and the common cold, headaches are another typical ailment produced by regular exposure to contaminants within the air.

Things to Consider When Purchasing an Air Purifier

If you are an allergy or asthma sufferer who is buying an air purifier for health purposes, you should be aware it can help to reduce the severity of symptoms but is unlikely to be able to prevent them. This is due to the fact that some airborne toxins seep into the floors and walls of a home or become permanently lodged in household items such as pillows and blankets. An air purifier can only aid in eliminating airborne toxins from being inhaled by your or your family.

It is best to think of an air purifier as a tool, and not as a complete solution, to improving the quality of indoor air in your home and the health of your family members. Some other things that you can do in addition to purchasing an air purifier include regularly airing out your home and purchasing special bed sheets that are resistant to dust mites. Covering your mattresses and pillow cases with coverings that keep dust mites out is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms.

Finally, health experts recommend using HEPA air filters with your home purification system since they are considered to be the most effective when it comes to filtering indoor air. Other types of filters can contain ozone, which can increase respiratory distress when leaked back into the air.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, Texas. He recommends you check out air purifier reviews and HEPA air purifiers.