The air quality in the home is affected by both the amount of air circulation and the contaminants in the air. There are a number of things we never see, but breathe in all the time. Pet dander, mold spores, chemicals, dust particles, pollen, and many other allergens can all be found in household air.
The heating and cooling system helps a little bit by circulating the air, but air circulation only helps if clean air is replacing contaminated air. An air purification system will filter out or destroy harmful particles that would otherwise end up in household air. When looking for an air purifier, it’s important to get one that will take care of numerous threats to air quality.
One of the popularly advertised air purification methods these days is the ozone generator. Advertisers of ozone generators claim they can be used as air purifiers; however the EPA reports that not only are ozone generators ineffective, but the ozone levels required to kill microbes are also harmful to humans.
There are numerous effective systems that are specifically designed to purify the air. Some systems will pull air through a filter that is designed to catch small particles. Other systems utilize germicidal lights to capture and kill harmful microbes. The most ideal air purifier will utilize multiple methods so that all categories of contaminants are taken care of. A good air purification system should be able to take care of microbes such as bacteria, odors, small breathable particles such as pollen, and airborne mold.
Another factor that affects indoor air quality is maintenance of the heating and cooling system. Those same particles that make the air uncomfortable to breathe can build up in the air conditioner and furnace as well as in the duct-work. Regular inspection and replacement of old parts will improve the effectiveness of air purification.
