Is an Air Purifier Worth it? (Find Out)

Do you know that we often spend more time indoors than we do outside? Do you also know that the concentration of air pollutants indoors can be 2 to 5 times higher than the concentration of air pollutants outside?

This is why air purifiers are an excellent addition to homes as they prevent and reduce the risk of health challenges associated with inhaling harmful air particles and pollutants.

Despite their effectiveness in reducing these risks, are air purifiers worth the money? Are they reliable in removing air pollutants from homes?

Read on to find out some benefits and disadvantages of air purifiers and if they are worth it.

Let’s head right into it!

Benefits of using air purifier

The major purpose of air purifier is to improve the air quality we take in at home. They help in reducing the amount of exposure to air pollutants by removing the pollutants and also making them incapable of causing any harm.

Air purifiers have been proven to remove dust, pollen, and also viral and bacterial compounds from the air which can cause or aggravate health conditions.

“According to medical research in Cambridge by Addenbrookes hospital, using air purifiers that use HEPA filters, traces of the airborne SARS-CoV-2 on a certain covid ward. It also reduced levels of bacterial, fungal, and other viral bioaerosols,” Ardeshir told Live Science in an interview.

Other benefits of using air purifiers are;

• They help reduce the symptoms of asthma; air purifiers can not cure asthma or remove its symptoms entirely but they can help reduce its symptoms drastically. Air purifiers may help remove some particles in the air that when an asthmatic patient inhales can lead to an asthmatic attack.

• They may help remove harmful chemicals from the air: air purifiers have been proven to remove harmful chemicals and compounds from the air. They help render ineffective the effect of bacterial, dander, and viral infections in the air.

What are the downsides of using air purifiers?

Here are some downsides to using air purifiers at home:

• High maintenance cost: using air purifiers can significantly increase your home’s energy cost. Since you have to change the filters of most air purifiers regularly to maintain their effectiveness, it can be very expensive to maintain.
• Some air purifiers produce ozone: older models of air purifiers produce ozone, which increases the symptoms of asthma. When this ozone mixes with other particles in the air and is inhaled, it can lead to serious health issues and can also lead to damage of the lungs.
• Noise: air purifiers are not entirely quiet, as some models make a lot of noise. So sometimes when you need some peace, your air purifier is somewhere humming and interfering which can be pretty discomforting.
• It doesn’t solve all home air quality problems: some filters cannot remove gaseous pollutants like VOCs (Volatile organic compounds) like paints, allergens, and odors from detergents.

Is an air purifier worth it?

YES! Air purifiers are worth every penny as they have been proven to remove particles from the air but then, there are certain limits to which air purifiers can significantly handle.

Some air purifiers remove dust, spores, pollen, allergens and so much more, while others are very effective in reducing the effectiveness of viruses, odors, and bacteria. But then, not all air purifiers could do all these.

Additionally, it’s crucial to understand that not all air purifiers can eliminate volatile organic compounds from the air at home. These compounds are commonly found in aerosol sprays and common household cleaners, soaps, and detergents.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, using just air purifiers alone may not be the best option for removing harmful air particles and chemicals from the home.

Eliminating all sources of air pollution and allowing fresh air from outside into your home is one of the best ways to improve the air quality in your home.

The effectiveness of air purifiers will always depend on:

• The type and model you’re using
• How often do you change the filters?
• How ventilated the Home is and,
• The hygienic situation of the environment

Air purifiers can get rid of

When you combine an air purifier with a filter, they may help get rid of the following particles and compounds that are airborne:

• Indoor toxins

Indoor toxins can be found on detergents we use for washing at home, personal and skin care products, odors from cooking products, and so much more.

When you use this product and the particles get trapped in the air for a long time, it becomes harmful to the body and increases the chances of having health issues. The best way to avoid health-related issues with this is to limit its usage.

• Allergens

These are substances that can be found in pet dander, dust mites, and other things people can get allergic reactions from. They create adverse immune effects on the human body when they come in contact with the body.

Air purifiers with a very good filtering system and good hygienic practice at home can help remove allergens from the air home.

• Smoke

Some can be present in home heating systems, smoke from cigarettes, and from other sources at home, which can be very harmful to the body.

Air purifiers may get rid of these smokes, but not the odor and these may still cause some allergic reactions in some individuals.

Therefore, it is always advisable to avoid smoking at home and using home gadgets that are non-combustive.

How to Maximize the Benefits of an Air Purifier

Using air purifiers alone may not effectively remove air pollutants and particles from homes, but using and maintaining a good hygienic environment will make it more effective.

How do you maintain a good hygienic environment?

• Avoid smoking at home
• Keep your home well ventilated
• Regularly clean carpets, rugs, furniture, and dust.
• Ensure to mop and vacuum your home weekly

Doing all the above will help increase the effectiveness of the air environment

Conclusion

Air purifiers are worth it because they are effective in reducing and rendering harmful particles present in the air ineffective.

But, it is advisable to not depend on just air purifiers alone but also to maintain good hygiene at home and also use filters with it.

Using air purifiers at home has several health benefits but then, like any other home gadget and appliance, air purifiers have their advantages and disadvantages.

Air purifiers are not a permanent solution for removing harmful particles and toxins from the air. They should be used while maintaining good hygiene and other safe practices to maintain the air quality at home.