How Air Purifiers Can Help You as the Weather Gets Warmer

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Air purifiers are guardians of indoor air quality no matter what time of year it may be. However, summer presents season-specific challenges to a comfortable home environment. Here’s how room air purifiers can benefit your home during the hot months ahead.

Keeping the Summer House Healthy

As outdoor temperatures and humidity rise during the summer, houses tend to be more closed up in order to retain air conditioning as well as keep out summer humidity. However, a tightly sealed house without outdoor ventilation can rapidly accumulate airborne particulates like dust and mold spores, as well as chemical vapors and odors.

An air purifier typically integrates high-efficiency HEPA filters to remove particulates and may include extras such as UV lights to sterilize the air and kill bacteria and viruses. More advanced technology such as ionization and photocatalysis is also available with some air purifiers, depending on the unit. Even a closed-up house on a hot summer day can enjoy clean, healthy air.

Feeling Cooler All Day

An air purifier is not an air conditioner. However, it's a small air mover and, much like the larger effect of a ceiling fan, an air purifier can make a room feel cooler by exposing occupants to moving air. The effect of moving air on humans and pets makes a room feel up to 5 degrees cooler without actually lowering the indoor temperature. In addition to enhancing indoor comfort, this saves money on air-conditioning expenses because you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort level.

Fresh Air at Night

When temperatures drop after sundown on a hot summer day, flushing the house with cool night air is a welcome way to freshen the indoor environment. However, outdoor air may also include unwanted particulates and impurities that are naturally present at a specific locale. Efficient, effective air purification continuously filtering and sanitizing the air allows you to enjoy the coolness and other benefits of fresh night air while also safeguarding the indoor environment.

For more details about the benefits of air purifiers during the hot summer season, talk to the air-quality experts at Air Assurance.

Are Air Purifiers Effective in Winter?

The air inside your home can end up having poor quality during winter. Your heating system can blow dust, pollutants, and other particles around. With winter being cold and flu season, more germs are also around during this time of year. Using air purifiers might seem like a good way to improve indoor air quality (IAQ), but should you get one? Consider the following when deciding if you should get an air purifier for your home.

Allergens

Allergens, such as dust and pet dander, tend to build up more in homes during winter. Heating systems blow these particles around through ducts and vents, which can cause allergy symptoms to flare up more often. If you have asthma, you might also have a higher risk of asthma attacks with dust and other allergens floating around. Air purifiers can catch these allergens and remove them from your indoor air, which helps boost IAQ (indoor air quality). Keep your home clean through vacuuming and dusting regularly, which can make your indoor air even healthier.

Pollutants

Indoor pollutants can fill your home during winter, especially with doors and windows closed. Breathing in some of these pollutants can raise your risk of becoming sick. Using air purifiers can help lower your exposure to pollutants in winter until you can open your doors and windows again in warmer weather.

Germs

Viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens can circulate in your home when it’s all closed up during winter. Having your heating system on also helps these germs move around your home. Setting up an air purifier can help trap viruses and other germs, which can reduce your risk of being sick this season. Keep in mind that you should continue wiping down surfaces in your home to eliminate germs even more.

If you’re looking for air purifiers for your Broken Arrow home or other ways to improve IAQ, contact Air Assurance.

DIY Fall Candles That Are Better for Your IAQ

As the leaves change color and the weather gets crisp, nothing says fall like filling your home with the smells of rosemary, peppermint, or pumpkin pie. Hold on a minute, though. Air fresheners are bad for your IAQ. Fortunately, with a few simple ingredients, you can retain your autumn aromas by making your own, all-natural fall candles that are decorative and great-smelling — but also safe.

Air Fresheners and VOCs

Most commercial air fresheners contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These harmful gases can be found in everything from paints and solvents to pesticides and aerosol spray cans, including spray air fresheners. Even non-aerosol air fresheners emit chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled. They cause problems such as triggering allergies and exacerbating asthma.

Scented candles are no better. They contain paraffin wax, which, when heated, emits fumes that can bother the eyes and throat.

Making Your Own Fall Candles

You can still light scented candles and fill your home with the smells of fall. Just make your own. First, take some old jars and other containers: mason jars, glasses and mugs, baby food jars — whatever sturdy containers you have.

Then, get some soy wax and some wicks from your local craft store. Unlike paraffin, soy wax is all natural. Melt the wax over a double boiler. Then dip one end of each wick into the wax and stick them to the bottom of each of the jars. Keep the wicks in place with clothespins, so they don't fall.

Once the wicks are in place, add your favorite fall scents to the wax. You can use vanilla beans, pumpkin spices, rosemary, and other fresh herbs, or a few drops of essential oils. Stir the wax thoroughly and add it to the jars. Let it cool until it hardens (about 15 minutes) and then trim the wicks down to size. Voila! Your fall candles are ready to spread safe aromas throughout your home.

To learn more about eliminating VOCs and improving your IAQ, contact us at Air Assurance. We make sure Broken Arrow homes are safe and healthy, so you can breathe easy.