Do Air Purifiers Remove Mold & Mildew?
Spores are an inevitable houseguest, but when they also contain mold, they become a health threat. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have found that exposure to mold spores can cause breathing complications and exacerbated asthma symptoms.
An air purifier is one way to improve indoor air quality – but does it actually remove mold and mildew? Here’s what you need to understand about this technology and how it can affect indoor air quality.
What an Air Purifier Can (and Can’t) Do
As mold grows in your house, it emits spores into the air that can cause health complications for people with allergen sensitivities or weak immune systems. It’s important to understand that an air purifier is meant to target those spores in the air – it does not get rid of a visible mold problem on surfaces. Mold growing on your walls or floors needs to be professionally remediated. An air purifier will also not remove 100% of the mold or mildew spores since they are so tiny and pervasive – but it can significantly reduce the concentration of spores, especially during an extensive cleaning process. It can also help remove the musty smell associated with mold and mildew.
Once the visible mold is properly removed, an air purifier can be used as a preventative measure for those with respiratory issues. Placing one in common mold hot spots (like a basement or bathroom) can help reduce mold spores over the long term. However, it’s worth noting that air purifiers do not affect humidity – the primary culprit of indoor mold – so a humidifier can be a helpful companion to a purifier for the highest indoor air quality.
Types of Air Purifiers
There are plenty of air purifiers on the market that utilize different technologies to reduce harmful mold and mildew indoors. A popular option is one with a HEPA filter, which traps mold spores within the filter. One drawback is that mold can potentially grow on the filter’s surface, so if it’s not changed frequently the purifier can actually become a host for mold and emit more spores back into the air. That’s why it’s very important to regularly change the filters in your device for more effective cleaning.
Another interesting option is an ionizing air purifier, which emits an electric charge to the particles that causes them to stick to your HVAC’s filter. This can be very effective, though some ionizing air purifiers generate ozone, a dangerous substance that can also cause breathing issues over the long term – even in healthy people. If you go this route, it’s crucial to choose a system that does not create ozone.
Expert Air Purifier Installation
At Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air, we are proud to offer the iWave Air Purifier. This innovative product creates no ozone, helps eliminate viruses, self-cleans, has a three-year warranty, and can be installed in both duct and ductless HVAC systems. Since proof of professional installation is required for the warranty to remain valid, Schneller Knochelmann’s trained technicians can help you choose the right iWave purifier for your needs and expertly connect it – so your investment in better indoor air quality is protected!
Call us at 513-407-4424 today for iWave Air Purifier installation in Cincinnati, OH, Covington, KY, and the surrounding areas! You can also contact us online.