We take plenty of time to design our walls and pick out each knick-knack with care, but how many of us take the same time and care when it comes to the indoor air we breathe? Only one in four households in the United States has an air-purifier, despite many allergens and dust mites in many U.S. homes. While air purifiers have enjoyed a resurgence due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, they can do a whole lot more than keeping viruses at bay. So, what can air purifiers do? That depends on the type, of course, but let's take a look at what the top purifiers out there can do for your home.

1. Cleaner Air Without Causing Pollution or Harming the Ozone

Some air cleaners or purifiers cause harmful byproducts that can harm the ozone layer. It sounds a little counterproductive. After all, if you're not careful, you may end up increasing your carbon footprint when you're just trying to get cleaner indoor air. That's not what you want. This is why it's good to know that there are actually air cleaners out there that use ions to counteract the pathogens, like mold and other contaminants that may be harming your indoor air quality. Air cleaners like the iWave-R Air Cleaner use negative ions to target contaminants and rid your home of them. Plus, the iWave-R is the world's first self-cleaning purifier, which is great for any homeowner—one less thing to worry about.

2. Reducing Allergies from Within Your HVAC System

Speaking of things to worry about, what you don't need is one more appliance drawing on your electricity and adding to your utility bills. Not only do systems such as the iWave-R work to rid your home of everything from carbon dioxide to mold spores by using ions, but they also do so from within your HVAC system. It just sits inside your ducts and works automatically as air passes through the system. The ionization process is completely safe—the only way in which you'll notice it is when you realize that you feel better because you're living in a healthy environment. Plus, systems like the iWave generally come with a universal mount, meaning that an iWave will fit inside your ducts regardless of their size. You have to admit—this sounds a whole lot better than just buying another indoor fan. 

3. Professional Installation

One thing to bear in mind is that a homeowner cannot, and should not, try to install an iWave or a similar product on their own. While a separate air purifier that you buy online can be set up on your own, you need to have a licensed HVAC electrical contractor come by and put in this type of purifier. While this sounds a bit pricey, it comes with its own reward. This way, you'll get either a full warranty or a limited warranty and will have access to replacement parts for ongoing maintenance if necessary. No system is built to last forever, so working with a licensed HVAC electrical contractor who you trust now will save you time and money in the future. This is another plus that comes with this kind of purifier system.

The air we breathe is crucial to our mental and physical health. It's not just important to remember to take deep breaths—we also need to be mindful of those deep breaths. Indoor air pollution is more common than we'd like to think, and our indoor air is full of things like pollen and pet dander, not to mention gases or mold. The only way to really keep ourselves safe is to invest in the best air cleaners that money can buy.