Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a top health concern for Floridians, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To improve IAQ, the EPA recommends installing an air purification system. Whole-house air cleaners are an ideal option. They are the most cost-effective choice over the long term, providing fresh, clean air throughout every aspect of your home. With that in mind, let’s look at 10 reasons why a whole-home air purifier is an excellent investment.
1. Mitigate the Effect of Outdoor Pollution Levels
Your home is your sanctuary. Once you are inside and have closed the door behind you, you should be safe. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case when it comes to air pollution. If air pollution exists outside your home (and it probably does), it lurks inside your home. In fact, your indoor air likely has the same amount of pollution as the outdoor air without some form of air filtration.
How serious the problem is for you depends a lot on where you live in Florida. The state maintains good average air pollution levels across its cities relative to other U.S. states. However, many of its cities are subject to dangerous spikes in particulate matter, or PM. In addition, Florida is susceptible to severe storms and high humidity levels that have a negative impact on IAQ. Florida is also home to many vehicles, factories, and power plants, impacting pollution levels.
2. Avoid Heightened Concentration Levels Indoors
Another problem to consider with indoor air pollution is indoor concentration levels. The EPA warns that pollutant levels are often higher indoors. This is particularly true with modern structures. Improved construction techniques have allowed for more energy-efficient homes. The trade-off here is less natural ventilation and fresh air.
3. Achieve a Fresher-Smelling Home
Most air purifiers on the market utilize activated carbon in addition to a mechanical filtration process. Activated carbon, or charcoal, provides absorptive filtration with a large surface area. As molecules that cause bad smells pass over the charcoal, they become bonded and neutralized. If a passive charcoal bag in your bathroom or refrigerator will kill bad smells, imagine what a whole-house system will do for the freshness of your home!
4. Get the Upper Hand on Dust
Dust is more than just dirt. It is a collection of many different pollutants and contaminants. It also acts like a sponge, absorbing other toxins circulation through your home. In doing so, it extends the lifespan of these toxins and continues to reintroduce them into your indoor air over time.
The EPA advises that dust is the main culprit contributing to poor IAQ. One reason is that dust is a fact of life and can accumulate to unhealthy levels quickly. The EPA recommends deep dusting your home at least once a week. You should also groom and bathe pets that have dander regularly, preferably outside the home.
An air purifier will make it easier to win the never-ending battle against dust. Modern air cleaners often have a prefilter and a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filter. The prefilter traps large particulates. The HEPA filter traps almost 100% of the dust that flows through the system, curbing dust in the home and improving IAQ. The HEPA filter also keeps dust out of your HVAC system and limits the amount of dust that settles and accumulates in your ducts.
5. Breathe Easier
Airborne particulate matter contributes to breathing problems. Even in otherwise healthy adults, it can cause chronic fatigue and headaches. Science links PM to many respiratory and cardiovascular issues. It is a main reason why rates of heart disease and lung cancer are higher in cities with elevated pollution.
Modern research shows that PM can have a dramatic impact on children. It impacts performance in school and impedes social and emotional growth. It also has a negative effect on elderly individuals and may accelerate conditions linked with old age.
6. Lessen Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
The airborne pollutants and contaminants in our homes are triggers for those with existing allergies and asthma. They can cause irritation and mucus within the respiratory system. Medical research has also linked them to the onset of these conditions. Indoor air pollution may increase the severity of allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Many doctors advise air cleaners for patients with asthma, severe allergies, and other respiratory issues. Most air purifier manufacturers rate their products based on air changes per hour (ACH). Check with your doctor to determine the ideal ACH rating for you.
7. Sleep Better
How well you breathe has a direct correlation to how well you sleep. Higher levels of indoor air pollution will disrupt your sleep. It may not wake you up, but it will shorten your time within healthy sleep cycles.
Indoor air pollution may also contribute to sleep apnea. Pollution can damage the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, triggering sleep apnea episodes. Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition. While it is most known for disrupting sleep, it can also lead to the degradation of systemic health.
8. Reduce Stress
Doctors often recommend air cleaners to patients managing high stress levels. When it is easier to breathe, the body receives more oxygen. Increased oxygen levels help to mitigate stress naturally by reducing cortisol levels, which are a chief contributor to unhealthy stress levels.
9. Make Your Family Less Prone to Illnesses
As you are deciding which whole-house air purifier is right for your home, you may want to consider one with a UV stage. UV air purifiers give off UV-C light. This germicidal light can deactivate pathogens, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, dust mite eggs, and other germs. This is why many hospitals use UV light for air cleaning and surface disinfecting. Research teams have even had recent success neutralizing COVID-19 with UV.
For Floridians, experts advise that you consider a whole-home dehumidifier. Maintaining an optimal relative humidity, or RH, makes your home less hospitable to mold, dust mites, and bacteria.
10. Trap VOCs and Other Gases
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are dangerous chemicals often found in our indoor air. Many VOCs are human-made. They are found in cleaning agents, deodorizers, and paint products. Even furniture and building materials in our home can off-gas VOCs. An air cleaner with absorptive filtration is the most effective way to eliminate those chemicals from your indoor air.
Local Indoor Air Quality Experts in Florida
If you want to enhance your living space with an air purifier, Paradise Home Services can help. Our IAQ team also cleans ducts and installs whole-home humidity control. Our HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair all heating and cooling technologies. We also have expert plumbers on staff who clean drains, repair leaks, install water heaters, and work on sewer lines. Call Paradise Home Services today or contact us online to learn more about our indoor air quality services or schedule an appointment for a healthier, more comfortable home!
