4 Types of Air Cleaners for Better Indoor Air Quality
Can you believe the air inside your home can often be worse than the air outside, especially if you suffer from asthma or allergies? Think about it: Your indoor air could have bacteria, viruses, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, smoke and chemical odors circulating throughout your house, just to name a few. There are many things you can do to improve your home’s indoor air quality, and one of them is to invest in an air cleaner. Here are four types of air cleaners to consider.
- Portable air purifier
An air purifier helps neutralize airborne contaminants in your home and remove them from your airways. A portable air purifier is less expensive than a whole-house air purifier, although it only purifies air in the room it is in. Because it is portable, it is lightweight and can be moved around your home easily. You can buy a portable air purifier at your local home improvement store. - Whole-house air purifier
If you want to clean the air in more than one room at a time, then consider a whole-house air purifier. It is more expensive than a portable air purifier, and an HVAC professional will need to install this in your home’s HVAC system. - UVGI cleaner
This type of air cleaner uses ultraviolet light to kill airborne pollutants and those on HVAC surfaces (UVGI stands for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation). Hospitals often use them to clean their air and surfaces for the benefit of their patients. A UVGI cleaner is used in conjunction with your HVAC system. - Air filters
There are many types of air filters you can use to trap dust and other airborne contaminants in your home. Some options include whole-house air filters, HEPA filters (in your air cleaner, air purifier or vacuum), activated carbon filters, pre-filters and antibacterial/germicidal filters. Be sure to change your air filter regularly to ensure the greatest amount of particles is trapped. Depending on the type of filter you use, you should clean or replace it every 30-90 days. Check out this blog post about types of air filters and see which is the best for your home.
In addition to using an air cleaner for clean and healthy indoor air, you should also:
- Clean your air vents and grilles;
- Consider having your ducts cleaned by an HVAC professional;
- Keep your home’s windows and doors closed;
- Clean your home regularly (including dusting, vacuuming, mopping and washing laundry);
- Use natural or fragrance-free cleaning products; and
- Schedule regular HVAC maintenance appointments to be sure your HVAC system is running properly and efficiently.
For more information on air cleaners in your home, check out this in-depth guide from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Check out our blog for even more ideas for reducing indoor air pollution in your home.
Improve your home’s indoor air quality today by calling Stiles Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing. We can provide more tips on improving your indoor air quality, conduct an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) evaluation to see how breathable your air is and schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment for you.
