Air Purifiers and Air Scrubbers
An air purifier or air scrubber is one of the best options for eliminating indoor air pollution and greatly improving air quality. Unlike typical filtration systems, these units don’t just purify and cleanse the air. Instead, they work to remove pollution and contaminants both from the air and on all of your home’s surfaces. These units work by releasing powerful oxidizing ions that neutralize harmful chemicals and other pollutants. The ions also work to kill microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold spores and will eliminate the majority of pollen, pet dander, and other allergens.
There are also portable air purifier units that are small enough that you can use them in any room of your home so you can breathe more easily. Most of these units emit ultraviolet light that kills any microorganisms in the air as it flows through the unit. Not only will this type of air purifier help improve air quality, but it is also effective at eliminating odors so your home smells cleaner and fresher.
The biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, methylene chloride, styrene, toluene, and formaldehyde. Scientific studies have shown that long-term exposure to some VOCs can lead to a variety of health issues or increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
The reason why VOCs are such a big issue is that they are naturally given off by a wide variety of different household items and building materials. Even cleaning and cooking can give off various VOCs. Since so many things in the typical home release VOCs into the air, you can never prevent them from being present. As such, your only option is to reduce their concentration with some type of air purifier.
Air Filters in Southlake
In most homes, the HVAC air filter is the primary line of defense against dust, pollen, and other allergens. Most air filters are really only capable of capturing larger airborne particles, like dust and hair, and are primarily meant to protect your HVAC system from potential damage. However, there are higher-quality filters that can trap much smaller particles like mold, pollen, smoke, and even some chemicals like VOCs.
An even better option is to replace your existing air filter with a media filter, which is basically just a much larger, more effective version of a standard air filter. Not only will a media filter keep your home’s air cleaner, but you will also only need to replace it yearly instead of every few months.