It might surprise you to know that indoor air quality is often worse than the air quality outdoors. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollutants inside the home can be as much as
higher than outdoor levels. How can the air inside be more harmful than the air outside? It's because indoor air often contains a higher number of particles.
These particles include things like dust, pet dander, mold, cigarette smoke, and carcinogens from cleaning supplies. Some types of carpet and paint also contain a dangerous type of particle called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Homeowners who are concerned about their indoor air quality should consider getting an air purifier. Besides improved air quality, here are five more reasons to install an air purifier in your home.
1. You Have Allergies
Some of the above-mentioned particles are allergens for many people. In fact some of the most common indoor allergens include:
- House dust
- Mold spores
- Dust mites
- Cat and dog dander
- Smoke
Most people who are allergic to these types of particles experience a variety of symptoms which include nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, sore throat, and a cough from postnasal drip. If you are inside your house a lot, these symptoms can make life miserable.
It's important to note that air purifiers do not remove allergens from the home. Instead, air purifiers trap allergens so that they no longer circulate throughout the air. For optimum protection against allergens, you should consider an air filter with HEPA filtration. This type of air purifier removes up to
99.97%
of airborne particles.
2. You Have Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition in which the airways can become inflamed. When inflammation in the airways occurs, it increases the production of mucous, which makes it difficult to breathe.
Some people have mild cases of asthma, but others experience life-threatening asthma attacks. Asthma attacks can be brought on by particles inside the home. These triggers include dust mites, pet dander, smoke, and mold spores. When an air purifier traps these asthma-triggering particles, it helps to reduce the chances of asthma attacks.
Whether you have asthma, or any other type of respiratory condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or cystic fibrosis, you can benefit from an air purifier in your home.
3. You Have Children
Children are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of poor indoor air quality. This is largely due to the fact that a child's developing body cannot rid itself of chemicals like an adult can. Indoor air pollution is known to have a detrimental effect on a child's heart and lung function.
When a child's heart and lungs are affected, they can be more susceptible to pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. According to the EPA, poor indoor air quality can also cause children to have an irregular heartbeat and cause damage to their kidney, liver, and central nervous system. VOCs are some of the most damaging particles to a child's health.
Besides removing materials and objects that contain VOCs from your home, other ways to improve the indoor air quality for your children include installing an air purifier and monitoring your indoor air quality.
Babies in the womb are also more vulnerable to the negative effects of poor indoor air quality. If you don't have children, but are pregnant or planning to have them, you should install an air purifier.
4. You Want to Remove Odors
If you have odors in the home, they are most likely caused by:
- Pets
- Dirty laundry
- Garbage disposal
- New furniture
- Trash can
- Dishwasher
- Dirty diapers
Cooking can also cause unpleasant odors in your home. This is especially the case if you accidentally burn the food you are cooking. If someone smokes inside the home, this also leads to an unpleasant odor.
While there are many ways to get rid of some of these odors, an air purifier will help to clean and freshen the air inside your home and keep smelly odors at bay.
5. You Live In a Newly Built Home
It's an exciting endeavor to move into a newly built home. However, a newly constructed home usually contains all kinds of indoor air pollutants. Materials and furnishings inside a newly built home will release small amounts of chemicals into the air. Some of these chemicals will get released into the air for years.
A new home that is more air-tight has less ventilation, which means it is harder to get rid of these chemicals. For this reason, it is a good idea to install an air purifier inside a newly built home.
If you think these are some good reasons to install an air purifier, contact Central York. We offer indoor air quality equipment
installation and service. We have been exceeding the expectations of our residential customers in Virginia since 1968.