We may use the expression “it’s as easy as breathing” to signify when something is simple, natural, and intuitive, but over the past few years many Americans have realized that breathing can get a bit…complicated.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the wildfires on the West Coast, and rising environmental concerns, we have been learning not to take clean air for granted. According to Bloomberg, the air treatment systems market grew by 57 percent in 2020 and was expected to grow another 29 percent in 2021. Meanwhile, U.S. search engine queries for terms such as “air purifier for smoke” jumped by 140 precent.
The average American spends about 90 percent of their time indoors, where the levels of pollutants can be up to five times higher than in outdoor environments. It’s no wonder then, that we have become more diligent about ensuring our indoor air is safe, clean, and breathable.
If you are interested in improving indoor air quality in your home, here are 10 benefits of using an air purification system.
- Reduces allergy symptoms. About 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites, but dust isn’t the only common household allergen. Mold spores, pollen, cockroaches, and even certain fabrics may trigger allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes. By running an air purifier in your home, you can filter some of these particles out of the air and relieve some of these symptoms.
- Neutralizes odor. Many household items can cause an unpleasant odor, such as pets, chemicals, and food. Running an air purifier with activated carbon filters can trap gasses and particles, effectively neutralizing odors indoors.
- Limits pet mess. Pet dander from dogs or cats can cause a lingering odor and can also trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals. Air purifiers can help filter pet dander and odor from the home, helping it feel more clean and fresh.
- Relieves asthma symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 12 Americans suffer from asthma. Asthma symptoms can include chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Pollutants in indoor air can exacerbate these symptoms, so running an air purifier is recommended for individuals with asthma.
- Eliminates harmful chemicals. Many household cleaners can release harmful gasses into the indoor air, and even some external pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can leak in through doors and windows. Running an air purification system helps reduce these toxins.
- Minimizes dust. Hate dusting? Air purifiers help filter dust from the air, which prevents it from gathering on surfaces and means you’ll have to clean less often.
- Improves sleep. One issue that can seriously disrupt sleep is not being able to breathe properly. Individuals with asthma, sleep apnea, sinus conditions and those who are overweight may have particular difficulties with getting quality breaths during sleep. Air purification systems can help these individuals improve their sleep.
- Extends HVAC filter life. By filtering many of the contaminants and particles out of the air, purification systems can reduce the burden on HVAC filters, which typically means systems will require maintenance less often and may last longer.
- Reduces risk of airborne infection. Some infections, such as COVID and influenza, spread through tiny aerosolized particles in the air, typically released when a person coughs or sneezes. Air purifiers are an important part of airborne infection prevention and can keep you from passing illnesses to friends or family members in your home.
- Increases life expectancy. Indoor air pollution can have many negative health consequences, potentially impacting cardiac, respiratory, and neurological health. By reducing particles and pollutants in the air, air purifiers can limit the spread of airborne illness and increase life expectancy.
Life Balance Technologies has developed an integrated solution for air balance auditing that reviews 100 percent of a facility for infection risk. The Life Balance process integrates the mechanical design, HVAC inventory, room application, and industry standards to audit the infection control parameters of an entire building. To learn more about this innovative technology, visit our Software page.
