The indoor air quality in your home has a big impact on your family’s health. Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are two technologies that can improve the air inside your home. They go about this in very different ways, though.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers pull air in and use a series of filters to clean it. They trap air pollutants such as pet dander, pollen, dust and dirt. They’re especially helpful to people with allergies or who have asthma.
Look for an air purifier that has a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. A HEPA filter can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Air Purifier Pros
Air purifiers come in a variety of sizes. They can remove 99% of most allergens from the air. Many have a charcoal filter that removes unpleasant odors from the air such as cigarette smoke, cooking fumes and animal odors.
Air Purifier Cons
Replacing the air filters in air purifiers can be expensive. You’ll pay between $25 to $500 a year on them, depending on how clean the air in your home is. Since they don’t dehumidify your home, an air purifier isn’t effective at removing mold.
Dehumidifier
If your home gets very humid, a dehumidifier can greatly improve the situation. They remove humidity from the air to get it down to an ideal humidity level. You can buy a portable dehumidifier for individual rooms or buy a whole-home dehumidifier that is installed in line with your home’s heating and cooling system.
Dehumidifier Pros
Dehumidifiers can prevent mold and mildew from growing in your home. They’re also effective at eliminating dust mites, as they need a damp environment to survive. As they remove humidity, your home will be cooler.
Dehumidifier Cons
Dehumidifiers don’t remove allergens and other air contaminants. As they circulate air in your home, it’s important to vacuum and dust regularly.
Anderson Heating & Cooling in Oregon City, OR, has indoor air quality products and services like humidifiers and dehumidifiers. We repair, replace and tune up heaters and air conditioners. Other services we offer include water heaters, ductwork and smart thermostats. Call today to schedule an appointment.
