We know times are scary right now. And unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of HVAC companies take advantage of that fear by making false claims about air purifiers and their efficacy against COVID-19.
As experts in the HVAC industry, we felt it was our responsibility to weigh in on this question:
Should I invest in air quality products to better protect myself and my family from COVID-19?
Our answer? There is currently no evidence that an air purifier can completely sterilize/eradicate the COVID-19 virus.
However, we do know that the virus becomes more dangerous when combined with other respiratory issues. That said, there is research that indicates that air purifiers can help protect against other respiratory issues as well as alleviate the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
We’ll explain more below…
Want to talk to a professional about the benefits of a whole-home air purifier? At Cooper, we can help explain what air purifiers can and can’t do—and we promise to only give you accurate and honest information.
Why air purifiers likely won’t protect you from COVID-19
While you may have read that COVID-19 is an airborne virus, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily floating around in your home’s air—and the air is what whole-home air purifiers are designed to clean.
According to the CDC, the novel coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
The virus spreads via “large droplets” (usually a byproduct of coughing or sneezing) that are transferred from one person to another person. Experts at UChicago Medicine believe that “there may be times when some of these droplets or particles are airborne, but it’s limited.”
So, regardless of the type of air purifier you get, it’s highly unlikely that it will protect you from COVID-19. Think about it—if COVID-19 pathogens aren’t floating in the air, they likely won’t ever make it inside your HVAC system and interact with your air purifier to begin with.
Another fact to consider is that if COVID-19 pathogens are in your home’s air, they’re likely there in the form of respiratory droplets…meaning you or someone in your home have already contracted the virus.
That said, our suggestion is to invest in an air purifier not as a prevention method but as a way to lessen the negative impacts of the COVID-19 disease by protecting against other respiratory issues.
Which brings us to our next point…
Air purifiers can combat COVID-19 symptoms and other respiratory issues
According to the FDA, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can cause breathing difficulties and shortness of breath (among other symptoms).
If you contract the virus, an air purification system can help lessen the negative impacts of the COVID-19 disease by protecting you from other respiratory illnesses/issues. In fact, studies have shown that air purifiers can even improve respiratory health.
Air purifiers help improve your indoor air quality and protect against other respiratory problems by filtering out fine particles in your home’s air that can aggravate the lungs and respiratory system. This is especially important for people who are at a higher-risk of experiencing heightened symptoms and complications if they contract COVID-19 (i.e. the elderly and people with chronic health conditions).
For example, all whole-home air purifiers filter out these contaminants from your home’s air:
- Mold spores
- Pollen
- Dust
- Pet dander
Additionally, certain air purifiers (like UV air purifiers) can help eliminate even smaller contaminants such as:
- Cold viruses
- Some flu viruses
- Infectious bacteria like MRSA
- Other living microorganisms down to 0.01 microns (COVID-19 is typically smaller than 0.01 microns)
Keep in mind that whatever you can do to clean your home’s air and alleviate symptoms of the disease, the more comfortable you and your loved ones will be.
Want accurate information about whole-home air purifiers?
At Cooper, we promise to only give you accurate information about our air quality solutions. We train our technicians to never sell homeowners something that won’t benefit them in the long run.
We know that peace of mind and comfort goes a long way in times of trouble. And at Cooper, that’s what we’re committed to providing.
If you’re interested in getting more information about a whole-home air purifier, just reach out. We can chat over the phone and answer any questions you have.
Luke Cooper is the General Manager of the Cooper Green team and son of Gary Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper HVAC. After years in the field, Luke took his talents to management and has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners during hot summers and frigid winters. His decade of experience in the field and guiding the company makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in Colorado on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other home services.
