Can an Air Purifier Help Relieve Allergies?

Sneezing, coughing, and eye irritation are just a few of the summer allergy symptoms that may be getting you down. Many homeowners turn to an air purifier to help relieve allergy symptoms. However, only certain filters can help your allergies. Let’s take a look at which kinds of filters help and which you should avoid.

Bi-Polar Ionization Air Purification

Ionizing air purifiers work to help you trap allergens in your home’s air filters. Thick allergen filters can restrict airflow to your HVAC unit, creating strain and damaging your heating and air conditioning system. As such, most home air filters are thin—too thin to trap small pollen and other allergens particles.

Ionization air purifiers address this issue by conglomerating allergens. The ionization process causes small particles (like pollen and dust) to stick together until they become much larger. Larger particles can then be picked up by standard home air filters. Internal air purifiers are installed directly into your home’s HVAC system—helping them hit every particle. This comes with the added benefit of using your existing air filters, meaning you will not need to spend money on new specialty filters.

These units also work to kill viruses and bacteria by neutralizing their hydrogen ions. Collectively, this air purification method provides comprehensive air quality support with little-to-no maintenance or additional costs.

Filter Air Purifiers

Most air purifiers—like the portable units in many homes—work by forcibly passing air through thick air filters. As mentioned above, HVAC air filters are too thin to catch small particles. Installing thick HVAC filters could damage your unit because they do not have the power to pass air through. These filter-powered air purifiers provide an alternative solution. They have the strength to push air through highly effective and dense air filters that trap small particles—including allergens like dust and dander.

However, not all filter air purifiers do not combat viruses and bacteria in the air that can exasperate allergies or lead to illness. They will also be ineffective against allergens unless you maintain regular filter replacements. You will often need to buy specialty filters that fit your unit every few months.

UV-C Purifiers

UV-C air purifiers have gained popularity recently as they are effective against live air contaminants—like viruses and bacteria. Using UV-C lightwaves, these photons attack the DNA and RNA in microbes. However, these filters are often ineffective against allergens. Most allergens and irritants are inanimate—meaning they cannot be “killed” by UV-C air purifiers.

Ozone Air Purifiers

Some air purifiers work by intentionally emitting ozone. Ozone air purifiers are not effective against allergies (unless partnered with another filtration method), as they do not remove particles from the air.

At high concentrations, ozone can remove viruses, mold, and bacteria from the air. However, the EPA states that these filters are ineffective unless the ozone produced exceeds public health standards. Ozone is a lung irritant—and it can lead to a wide variety of health concerns in large concentrations. The EPA recommends avoiding these filters, stating, “No federal government agency has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces.”

Raleigh Air Quality Solutions | Newcomb and Company

When it comes to air quality solutions, ionization filtration is the way to go for many homes and businesses. This comprehensive air cleaning method attacks allergens, viruses, bacterias, and odors.

Our Newcomb and Company air quality experts install iWave air purifiers directly into your home’s HVAC system. These units are good for you, the planet, and your wallet. We proudly serve homes and businesses in Raleigh, Wilmington, and surrounding areas—such as Clayton, Knightdale, Cary, Leland, Carolina Beach, and Castle Hayne. You can make your appointment today or give us a call for more information!