Mold invasion happens to most homeowners, and the worst part is how quickly it can spread and become a health hazard to your family. Staying in a room with mold spores can suddenly make you feel sick with the way it changes the indoor air.
Protecting your dear ones requires you to locate any molds and eliminate the problem before it can escalate to other areas. So just keep reading as we explore and find out what mold is and if an air purifier can help with mold issues.
What is mold, and is it Considered Harmful?
Mold is a species of fungi that may grow and appear indoor and outdoor environments. Mold creates spores that spread and float about in the air, and this is why proper ventilation is crucial and aids in the trapping of molds that are emitted into the air.
Below are ways that molds may pose a health hazard if not addressed.
- It can cause breathing problems, especially if you have a chronic illness or asthma. In addition, the spores release irritants and toxicants when released into the air.
- Allergies triggers- You may experience watery eyes, sneezing, blocked nose, inflammation to your throat and nose.
- Molds can trigger bronchitis and weaken your immune system.
How Does an Air Purifier Help with Mold?
An air purifier removes impurities from the atmosphere using fans that drive air through a filter. But, mold microbes are everywhere and require an effective long-term remedy such as a thorough cleanup of the contaminated area with a bleach solution and an air purifier.
Identifying the core issues that cause mold development is key to preventing further havoc to your home, whether through poor ventilation or water leaks from old pipes causing dampness, which will cause the molds to flourish.
If you’re wondering how to keep molds at bay, you can use hygrometers and humidity monitors, which will help regulate the humidity levels around your home.
What are the Best Air Purifiers for Mold Problems?
Getting rid of mold problems requires getting quality and effective air purifier that help remove the mold spores from the air and the musty smell that comes with molds. Below are some of the best air purifiers for mold problems.
HEPA Filters
A HEPA filter air purifier with a HEPA filter is excellent and ranked the best at eliminating microbes by filtering particles. These filters trap and remove 99.97% of particles from the airflow with a diameter of 0.3 microns or more.
Since mold spores have massive particles greater than 0.3 microns, HEPA filters trap them together with pollen, dust, and other contaminants, which help reduce allergens from your indoor air.
PECO (Photo Electrochemical Oxidation)
This type of air filter destroys any particles traveling through the gadget through a light-activated chemical reaction. In addition, it destroys mold spores and prevents mold build-up in the filter and subsequent release into the air.
PCO (Photocatalytic Oxidation)
A PCO air filter destroys organic molecules, including mold spores. However, if you have respiratory sensitivities, you may want to avoid this air filter as it emits ozone which may irritate your respiratory tract.
UVGI (Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation)
The technology in the UVGI air filter guarantees the removal of germs, viruses, and molds, which cleanses the air. A UVGI has to create stronger UV radiation than a residential unit so that can be effective.
Ionizing Air Purifiers
The technology with this air filter helps kill mold spores from your indoor air by giving an electric charge to particles that prompt them to attach to other surrounding surfaces. However, the side effect of ionizing air purifiers is ozone emission which may affect your respiratory system.
Carbon Filters
These air filters are perfect for removing contaminants from the air through an activated carbon filter. However, the technologies in carbon filters may not be effective in removing mold spores from your house, so you should explore other air filters, such as HEPA or PECO.
What to Look for When Choosing the Finest Mold Air Purifier
There is a wide range of units available when it comes to air filtration. However, a filtration system with a HEPA filter is efficient in keeping mold spores and pollutants at bay. Below are some of the factors you may want to consider when investing in a mold air purifier.
EPA Rating
Air purifiers work for hours, which may increase your electrical bills. Still, an Energy Star-certified air purifier is environmentally friendly and will help reduce energy costs.
Air Quality Indicator
It’s good to ensure you choose a purifier unit with an air quality indicator to detect and show the room’s air quality. Some air purifier units may also automatically change based on the air quality in the room.
Portability
Choosing an air purifier that you can move from one area of your room to the other is a good choice. In addition, some types have handles and caster wheels to make moving about your area simpler.
Smart Technology
Choosing a model with smart technology may help you remotely monitor and control the unit.
Noise level
Different air purifier models differ in noise levels you may want to consider this factor as you invest in one.
Room size
Consider your room size before choosing an air purifier unit. Then, select an air purifier with a CADR (clean air delivery rate) appropriate according to the space that is put to use.
Final Thoughts
Air purifiers help remove mold particles but may not be the solution for active mold development. But to achieve this, you must ensure that the air purifier you purchase is of high quality and has a certified HEPA filter.
In addition, it’s good to consider some factors when purchasing an air purifier to ensure it serves the purpose and is effective. Failure to do this may cause more problems as low-quality air may become a mold-breeding habitat.
Ensuring that your home is free from accumulated moisture serves as a crucial way of preventing mold problems and makes the air purifier more effective.