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Last Revised: 12/11/2024
Have you ever wondered why the air inside your home might feel stuffy or even make you cough? Did you know that indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside?
Despite mounting evidence that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can significantly hurt our long-term health, the indoor air quality of our homes is still often overlooked by the public.
VOCs are microscopic particles that accumulate in the air which can take a hefty toll on our health. They’re industrial byproducts of producing paints, cleaning supplies, building materials, furnishings, office equipment, and more.
As buildings and homes are increasingly built to prioritize energy efficiency (by being more “airtight” with fewer foundational gaps), they’re becoming more susceptible to less natural ventilation, greater VOC accumulation, and poor IAQ.
The health impact of this can be significant, leading many proactive homeowners to take back the health of their indoor air quality with air purifiers.
At Mattioni, our team of HVAC experts has seen the evolution of home comfort over our 76 years in business. We’re here to help by sharing what we know about air purifiers, and why they’re one of the most popular home IAQ products.
In this article, we’ll review the benefits that an air purifier offers you and your home. By the end of this article, you’ll understand the key advantages of installing an air purifier and how it can transform the air quality in your home.
We’ll explore how they can reduce allergens, eliminate VOCs, and even improve your overall well-being. But first, let’s start with how an air purifier functions.
How Does an Air Purifier Work?
Every HVAC system has an air filter designed to protect the system by trapping larger particles (dust, debris, hair, etc.) to protect the system itself. Air purifiers are a distinctly different type of air filtration system from these relatively basic filters.
An air purifier is a device specifically engineered to improve air quality by removing a wide range of airborne contaminants, VOCs, allergens, smoke, odors, and transmissible microorganisms.
They’re installed directly into your HVAC system’s ductwork and use a combination of industry-leading HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) lined up in series. It’s essential to understand that HEPA filters are a class above the basic MERV filters (minimum efficiency reporting value) commonly found in HVAC systems.
HEPA filters capture airborne particles as small as 0.3 micrometers with up to 99.97% efficiency. So, when we talk about HEPA filters, we’re talking about the best, most effective ones available on the market.
Many models also include activated carbon filters, which are particularly good at absorbing odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of air purifiers.
The 6 Key Benefits of Air Purifiers: A Holistic Approach to Health in the Home
1. Cleaner and Healthier Air
The lack of obvious signs of poor IAQ can sometimes make it challenging to picture the payoff of installing an air purifier. In fact, many people don’t realize their indoor air quality is poor because they’ve grown accustomed to it as their home has gradually been exposed to VOCs over time.
However, the health risks of VOCs are still prevalent, even if the pollutants are relatively undetectable.
Air purifiers effectively trap and collect these contaminants and other airborne pollutants like dust, pollen, and pet dander, preventing them from circulating within your home. By removing these contaminants, your indoor air quality will noticeably improve, making your home a more comfortable place to breathe and a healthier place to live.
These improvements in air quality can make a big difference for those who live with asthma or are sensitive to allergies.
2. Allergy & Asthma Relief
For individuals with allergies or asthma, air purifiers can be life-changing. They capture allergens and other common triggers, helping to reduce flare-ups and alleviate symptoms of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.
Nobody should have to live with discomfort in their own home. If you or someone in your home suffers from frequent asthma symptoms, an air purifier may be worth its weight in gold. IAQ health improvements can be transformative for people with respiratory sensitivities.
You may also want to explore how whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers can further improve breathing conditions in your home during the most extreme weather.
3. Better Sleep Quality
Cleaner air contributes to better sleep. By reducing irritants and allergens, air purifiers help minimize nighttime breathing issues, promoting a more restful night’s sleep.
Specifically, poorly ventilated bedrooms can result in exacerbated sleeping trouble which can affect cognitive function the next day.
According to a study published in the journal Building and Environment, “computers, TV screens, furniture, and clothes pollute air quality in the bedroom. Together, this pollution accumulates during the night if it is not diluted by, for example, ventilating.”
An air purifier maximizes your home’s existing ventilation system, so long as there is clear access to the vents and returns in your bedroom, an air purifier will help you achieve consistently better sleep.
4. Odor & Dust Elimination
Unwanted odors can come from several sources – cooking devices, pets, mold and mildew, dirty shoes or clothes, and the list goes on. Temporary solutions, such as lighting a candle, opening a window, or hooking up an air freshener, often fall short of eradicating the source of a smell.
Enter the air purifier, which traps microscopic particles that can carry indoor odors. With an air purifier installed and operating as part of your HVAC system, your home’s entire air supply will be treated.
Whether it’s stinky leftovers in the kitchen trashcan, the dog bed in the living room, or that pile of dirty clothes in the laundry room, an air purifier is specifically designed to make your entire house breathable again.
It should come as no surprise, then, that an air purifier can also limit the likelihood of transmitting airborne illnesses in your home.
5. Helps Keep You from Getting Sick
Respiratory droplets that are expelled when someone coughs or sneezes can linger in the air and cling to surfaces, meaning airborne illnesses can spread around quickly if no countermeasures are taken.
Just as an air purifier can trap VOCs, it can capture these respiratory illnesses, making your home much healthier for your family and your guests. This can make a big difference during flu season when sicknesses typically spread very easily.
6. Enhanced Energy Efficiency & HVAC System Health
Air purifiers do more than just keep you and your family healthy – they keep your ducts clean too. By capturing VOCs and other microscopic particles that would move freely through a standard air filter, air purifiers help to maintain the overall health and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
Without an air purifier, dust and debris can accumulate throughout your ductwork and other HVAC components, taking a steady toll on the system – driving up energy bills along the way.
Installing an air purifier is a positive step that keeps system efficiency in check and prolongs the lifespan of your furnace, AC system, or other HVAC equipment.
Take Control of Your Home’s Air Quality: Air Purifier Next Steps
Breathing clean, fresh air shouldn’t be a luxury – it’s a necessity for your health and well-being. Whether you’re battling allergies, concerned about pollutants, or just want to create a more comfortable and welcoming living environment, an air purifier will make a noticeable difference.
From reduced risk of illnesses to a better night’s sleep, the benefits of installing an air purifier go beyond what you might expect. A cleaner air supply will improve the health of everyone in your home, making the biggest difference for those with asthma or allergy sensitivities.
Air purifiers will also keep your home fresh and prevent odors from lingering and dust from accumulating on surfaces like tables and shelves. Suffice it to say, air purifiers keep your home’s air quality in top shape.
If these benefits resonate with you, and you’re interested in improving your indoor air quality, now may be the time to invest in an air purifier. Check out our webpage on our IAQ services, or contact us today to find the perfect system for your home. You can also book a free in-home consultation with one of our HVAC professionals directly online, or reach us at (610) 400-8510.
Don’t let poor indoor air quality hold you back – start breathing easier and living better today.
