The air we breathe always contains some contaminants, such as dust, pollen, and bacteria. While some contamination is inevitable, eliminating as much of it as possible is ideal for health. This is especially important for Wisconsin residents who suffer from respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma. Clean air can help minimize those issues and prevent you from developing new respiratory concerns in the future.
Indoor air quality is particularly problematic. Buildings tend to accumulate dust and other contaminants because there is no breeze to distribute them evenly throughout the environment. If you want clean air in your home, you need to take steps to purge the contamination. You can do that in a few different ways, including air purifiers and air cleaners. Air quality is important, so taking the time to figure out which of those options will get the best results in your home is essential.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Our indoor air quality can have a major effect on our health and quality of life. Some diseases are airborne, which means that breathing certain viruses and bacteria can make us sick. This is often a problem in environments where sick and healthy people spend time nearby. On the other hand, airborne bacteria are far from the only significant health risk in the air.
Other pollutants can cause dizziness, respiratory irritation, or other health issues. Most symptoms are minor but can still reduce your quality of life. In the long term, exposure to contaminants can cause major respiratory problems. Clean air is vital for maintaining your health, so it is worth investing in some tools to clean the air in your home.
The Advantages of Air Purifiers
Air purifiers work by sucking air into the purifier and forcing it through a filter. The contaminants in the air get trapped in the filter, while the air passes through to the other side. As long as the purifier is operating, it will continue to cycle air through the filter and remove contaminants from it.
These systems excel at removing large particles from the air, including dust and pet dander. They can also remove pollen, mold, and even some remnants of cigarette smoke. This makes them a great choice for people who suffer from specific allergens. They also excel at cleaning small areas where specific contaminants tend to accumulate over time, such as workshops and hobby areas.
The Advantages of Air Cleaners
Electrostatic air cleaners can accomplish many of the same goals as traditional air purifiers, but they rely on a different principle to do the job. They use electricity to add a charge to contaminants as the air moves through the system. The air cleaner also includes a plate with the opposite charge, which attracts the charged particles and causes them to stick in place. The newly cleaned air can then exit the system and circulate through the home. This mechanism excels at dealing with tiny particles that often slip through traditional filters.
Air cleaners can cleanse the air in a much larger area than an air purifier, which makes them ideal for use in big homes. They are also a good option for removing radon and chemical irritants from cleaning products from the air. If you are particularly worried about those contaminants, you may want to consider an electrostatic air cleaner for your home.
Supporting Solutions
While air purifiers and cleaners are great tools, they are not the only way to keep pollution out of the air. In many cases, simply keeping your home clean can get the job done. Unfortunately, most homes have nooks and crannies that are hard to clean, which gives dust a chance to accumulate.
Duct Cleaning
Air ducts are a common culprit. Dust piles up in them when it settles out of the air as it passes through the ducts. The easiest way to deal with that is to call in a professional to clean them out. A good HVAC technician can check them for other problems and apply a sealant at the same time, so this is a good way to combine cleaning with routine maintenance.
UV Purification
Some particles are so small that normal purification systems struggle to deal with them. Most of those particles are biological, including some viruses and bacteria. You need specialized equipment to deal with these contaminants.
UV purifiers work by exposing airborne contaminants to UV light, which is sufficient to kill many microorganisms. Unlike traditional filters, the light works regardless of the size of the contaminant, so it can tackle viruses small enough to easily pass through other filters. That makes UV systems a good choice if you are worried about airborne diseases.
Picking the Best Option
There are no simple answers when it comes to keeping your air clean and your home healthy. Both air purifiers and air cleaners can be good choices, depending on your priorities and the most common contaminants in your home. In general, if you are most worried about dust and other large contaminants, consider air purifiers. On the other hand, you should consider air cleaners if you are more worried about smaller particles or cleaning a large area.
You will also need to consider factors such as the size of your home and your willingness to replace filters. Like all mechanical systems, air purifiers require some upkeep, and you need to take care of it. Most systems are easy to maintain, but you need to be aware of the requirements before you make your final choice.
You should also remember that you do not need to choose a single option. Some people will benefit from mixing and matching, either by installing multiple systems or by including some of the supporting solutions along with their main cleaner or purifier. The best results will always come from examining all of your options and finding a comprehensive solution that fits your home and lifestyle.
Get Clean Air in Your Home
Clean air is vital to our health, but the air in our own homes is often full of dust, mold, and other contaminants. This has the potential to cause a variety of health issues, ranging from simple respiratory irritation to serious diseases. The good news is that you can eliminate most contaminants from your home’s air by installing an air purifier or cleaner. Routine maintenance, such as getting regular duct cleanings, can also do a lot to keep your air fresh and healthy.
We believe that everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air in their own home. That is why we would love to talk to you about your options and help you find the right air quality solution for your home. If you are ready to start breathing clean air again, get in touch with us at Southport Home Services and we will help you find the right air cleaner or purifier and get it installed in your home as quickly as possible.
