How Air Purifiers Can Fight Against Viruses and Bacteria
With bacteria and viruses floating in the air, you want to have the best air quality in your home. There are a few things that you can do to improve the air. By purchasing an air purifier, you can trap and kill those nasty viruses and bacteria. However, there are a few things to consider before you rush to the store and buy a unit for your house.
Air Purifiers Can Help Your Home
Many people add an air purifier to their residence to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. However, they can only trap those particles that are in the air at the time. If you want to trap germs, you need to think about adding a HEPA filter to your unit. You should know that the HEPA filter can catch those viruses, but it cannot kill them. While an air purifier can remove these harmful pollutants in the air, you still need to practice good hygiene, such as cleaning hard surfaces and washing your hands. With the arrival of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many people want to choose an air purifier that can keep their home free from germs.
Can Air Purifiers Stop COVID-19?
These air purifiers can trap viruses and bacteria. However, they can only catch a limited number of germs in your house. You cannot rely on an air purifier to eliminate all viruses from the air. If you want to keep your family safe, then you need to keep up on healthy hygiene practices, including cleaning surfaces, washing your hands, and stopping germs from entering your home in the first place. You should not think that an air purifier will completely stop COVID-19 from coming into your residence.
Adding a HEPA Filter to Your Air Purifier
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and it is the efficiency standard for many air filters. These filters must meet the HEPA standard to satisfy a certain level of efficiency. HEPA filters need to filter particles down to 0.3 microns. Many common viruses can vary in diameter from 0.02 microns to 0.4 microns. However, some viruses can be smaller than these amounts. The typical coronavirus is about 0.1 microns in diameter.
With that size, COVID-19 and other viruses are below the particle size that the HEPA filter can trap in your home. While that might sound like bad news, some studies show that a HEPA filter can still trap these tiny particles. These filters have a good chance of collecting many ultra-fine particles despite their particle capture rating.
You have to remember that particles move in various directions rather than in a straight line. With that movement, these particles will make contact with the HEPA filter’s fibers, and they will become attached to the filter surface. However, you should never rely on an air purifier to remove bacteria or viruses from your home. You need to be extra vigilant to keep your house clean and healthy.
It is possible that an air purifier with a HEPA filter can trap airborne viruses, including COVID-19. In some cases, there is always a chance that the virus can pass through the filter. You have to remember that it can trap the virus, but it cannot kill it. The virus can stay alive on the surface of the filter for several hours or even days. While the virus will eventually die on the filter, it can be rereleased into the air if you try to remove the filter in your home. Before you attempt to clean it on your own, you will want to wear gloves or isolate the filter in a closed space.
An air purifier will filter out particles from the air. That can only happen when the air is sucked into your unit. You should know that viruses are more likely to be found on human skin or a hard surface in your home. When that occurs, your air purifier will not be able to remove those particles from your house. Viruses are spread when a person sneezes or coughs. Those expelled droplets contain viruses, and the fluids are more likely to settle on surfaces in your residence. Viruses do not remain airborne for an extended amount of time.
Specific Air Purifiers to Remove Viruses
While an air purifier can help to improve the air quality of your home, it has limited benefits for those wanting to block out viruses from their house. That does not mean you should not add an air purifier to your rooms. There are other filters that can help in the removal of bacteria and viruses in the air.
Photocatalytic air purifiers are a specific type of model, and they are designed to trap and kill viruses and bacteria. These pollutants are caught and trapped by the electrostatic effects of ions that are created by the filter. Another great choice to remove viruses and bacteria is an ultraviolet (UV) light air purifier. The UV light can sterilize the bacteria or virus when it is exposed for several minutes. The germs must be exposed to UV light for several minutes, or else it is not effective. If the viruses just pass through a UV light, then it might not be long enough to kill the particles.
Many people turn to carbon filters to trap odors, volatile organic compounds, and other types of pollutants. While they are effective at containing these germs, carbon will allow viruses and bacteria to pass through the filter. These filters are not a great choice to trap or eliminate germs. Catechin-based filters have anti-viral properties. These filters are made with a plant extract that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, these filters are not widely available, so it can be hard to find them on the market.
Once again, these air purifiers can only work if the virus is airborne and passes through the filter. It cannot remove any bacteria or viruses found on hard surfaces or on a person’s skin.
More Ways to Protect Yourself
An air purifier can help to remove some airborne bacteria and viruses in your home. With the news of the COVID-19 virus, you want to do everything to keep your house and family safe. While these products can help to eliminate some of the viruses in the air, there are still viruses left on human skin or hard surfaces throughout your residence. The best way to keep your home healthy is by practicing safe hygiene, including cleaning hard surfaces that people touch, minimizing contact with others, and washing your hands. An air purifier can help you to remove some germs, but it is just one component to keep you safe from viruses and bacteria.
Expert Help With Your Air Quality
If you are worried about the air quality in your home, you need to contact Mario's AC in Hudson, FL. We are a family-owned company that will strive to provide you with unbeatable service at honest prices. Our team will help you to find the right air quality products for your house. In addition to that, our company specializes in heating, cooling, and duct cleaning services. Our NATE-certified technicians want to make your home comfortable throughout the seasons. If you want to schedule a service visit in the Hudson area, make sure to contact Mario's AC today!
