Should You Get an Air Purifier for Your Home?

There is no denying that pollution is at its worst these days. On that note, have you ever stopped to wonder how polluted the air you’re breathing is? If not, maybe these facts from no less than the World Health Organization (WHO) will make you take notice. According to WHO, 91% of the world’s population live in places where air quality is so poor and polluted, that it exceeds the limits set by WHO. Moreover, WHO reports that there are at least 4.2 million deaths each year due to exposure to outdoor pollution. The numbers don’t lie, which is why more and more countries are taking action against pollution.

In your own little way, you can contribute to a better environment by improving air quality. A little can go a long way. With your and your family’s health on the line, you will surely look for ways to improve even the air inside your house. That’s actually why many people spend money on air purifiers; they want to improve the air quality in their homes primarily for health reasons.

You can break down the importance of clean air into two “categories” – clean air for those who NEED it and those who WANT it. Let’s talk about the first one. Who really needs clean air?

Clean Air – A Must for Allergy Sufferers 

Can you imagine what allergy sufferers go through every single day? Pollutants and allergens that uninhibitedly float in the air affect these people every day. The worst part is allergy sufferers are vulnerable to both indoor and outdoor allergens that significantly lower their quality of life.

Most allergy triggers are actually seasonal, but ordinary environmental factors like dust, mold, pollen, or ragweed may trigger allergies. Dust, for one, is something you can’t avoid. There are so many things that can lead to the creation of dust – lint, dust mites, dead skin cells, pet dander, and even hair – and everyone is laid bare to these allergens every day.

Then there’s mold. Molds thrive in dark, moist spaces and crevices. You may not always see where these are, but if you suffer from allergies, the tell-tale signs that there are mold spores in your home include itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. Finally, there is pollen, which is considered one of the most common environmentally-produced allergens. Inhalation of pollen causes your body’s immune system to fight back, which, in turn, leads to allergic reactions such as difficulty in breathing, congestion, and runny and itchy eyes and nose.

The thing about allergies is you can only manage the symptoms; there is no cure for these, which is why an episode can be life-threatening to some.

Clean Air Is Vital for People with Asthma or Respiratory Problems 

The poor air quality surrounding us today can especially affect those who have asthma or other forms of respiratory problems. In fact, poor air quality can potentially cut their lives short. It is a known fact ambient allergens and pollutants may trigger asthma and its symptoms. Still, there are allergens in enclosed surroundings like your home that can wreak havoc on your respiratory health. In fact, it has been said that the quality of air inside a home is five times worse that outdoor air quality. Can you imagine that? Hence, it’s not surprising why even those who rarely go out still suffer from allergies and even full-blown asthma attacks.

Clean Air Is Crucial in Commercial Spaces and Buildings 

A commercial space or building that is used by lots of people is a breeding ground for allergens. In fact, the older a building is, the higher the level of allergens it has. Moreover, contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) thrive there. Chair surfaces, countertops, and other consumer products normally used in offices or commercial buildings contain high levels of contaminants, which is regular sanitization and purification are crucial in such places.

Air Purifier for Those Who Want Clean Air

As we mentioned earlier, clean air is both a need and a want. The above-mentioned are three areas where clean air is needed. Now, the question is who wants clean air? 

The answer is simple, really. Anyone who takes time to consider the quality of air he breathes in every day and is genuinely concerned about it wants clean air. Truth be told, though, keeping air, more so its quality, clean is easier said than done.

Every day is another day of contending with surface dust. The footwear on your feet brings dirt inside your house, and you can’t do anything about it. Then there are different odors permeating the air surrounding you – odor from your kitchen, pets, personal effects you use like perfume and shampoos – that are all unavoidable.

All these are reasons why you may want or need clean air in your home or office, and you can achieve that with an air purifier, specifically one that comes with a negative ionizer. More than making the air cleaner, an air purifier can help improve your quality of life. That’s because an allergen-free air will not only make the air in your home or office smell fresher but will also help you breathe better. More importantly, it will help you live longer, since according to Scientific American, a person’s average life expectancy extends up to five months due to clean air. 

People who may want or need cleaner air in their homes or offices have two options as far as air purification goes – portable and fixed.

Portable Air Purifier

As its name suggests, a portable air purifier is one you can move from one room to the other. It’s usually small and doesn’t take up too much space. Some portable air purifiers are even compact and handy enough to fit on the palm of your hand. One good thing about a portable air purifier is you can put it in any room in your home, thereby purifying that room efficiently and quietly. More often than not, people use portable air purifiers in the bedroom, while some take it with them when they travel in their cars.

You have the option to choose a filtered or filterless portable air purifier. A filtered one traps impurities and allergens in the filter so these can no longer go out and mingle with the air you breathe. However, this will require you to replace the filter every so often. On the other hand, a filterless air purifier works by releasing ions into the air to take care of the purification. If you opt for the filtered one, you may want to choose an air purification system with high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA-grade filtration.

Fixed Air Purifier

A fixed air purifier, as its name suggests, stays in one place. However, it covers a wider scope since it’s built into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system of a structure. Obviously, this one is the more expensive choice. Nevertheless, given its wide scope, it is more cost-efficient in the long term. That’s especially true since a fixed unit requires little to no regular maintenance.

A fixed air purifier runs as long as the HVAC system is running, so it works to clean air in the house or office building continuously. Just like an non-filtered air purifier, the fixed air purifier releases ions that get rid of allergens, bacteria, virus, VOCs, foul odors, mold spores, and others; thus, you get clean, fresh, healthy, and breathable air.

Even if you don’t have allergies or illnesses, you probably need an air purifier. You may have family members who suffer from such, and they will most definitely benefit from breathing in clean, fresh air.

You will certainly see a dramatic change in the quality of your life once you start using an air purifier. Your home will smell fresher, you’ll have better and easier time breathing, and most importantly, your quality of life will improve.