Does air purifier help with mold?

 Mold growth in homes can cause a lot of harm to the structure of the home as well as to the health of the homeowner. While it may be impossible to keep mold completely away from the walls of your home, it can still be controlled with the help of an air purifier. 

Air purifiers by themselves may not remove the source of the mold, but they can help with mold spores in the air. By keeping the air clean, exposure to the spores is largely reduced and can make a positive impact on the air quality. 

It is essential to remember that air purifiers can only help if they are well maintained and the filters are kept clean.

How mold can affect your health?

mold spores

When you are exposed to mold and mildew, you are exposed to allergens. Those that are already prone to allergies suffer far more. Common symptoms include a stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy skin, and watery eyes. In those that suffer from asthma, mold triggers severe asthma symptoms and shortness of breath. 

Unfortunately, there are no known tests for identifying mold as the cause for allergies; however, allergy testing can be done, and the symptoms can be treated.

People at risk are those that have a compromised immune system or have an underlying lung disease as they will be more susceptible to airborne bacteria. People suffering from chronic respiratory disease also have breathing difficulties if exposed to mold and mildew. 

Therefore, ensuring that your home is free from mold growth can go a long way to promoting better health. 

Will An Air Purifier Help With Mold?

Does air purifier help with mold

Air purifiers for mold can help by reducing the concentration of airborne mold spores. Airborne spores can contaminate food products and also cause allergic reactions. Air purifiers work towards cleaning the air through their filters.

However, the filters may need cleaning frequently. Lingering mold particles can be removed with an air purifier during the initial cleaning. Additionally, air purifiers can remove the foul odor caused by a mold problem. 

A point to keep in mind is that air purifiers alone cannot solve the mold problem. But, it works well in conjunction with other measures such as a clean and dry home, the right humidity levels, zero leaks, and dry surfaces. 

Mold grows when the air is excessively humid, and that is common in areas with high humidity levels. But, humidity can also be high where water flow is constant such as in bathrooms and utility areas. Moreover, basements tend to be dark and damp. Using an air purifier can curtail the spread of mold spores, although removing mold is essential in the long term. 

What is the best air purifier for mold spores?

The best air purifier to remove mold spores is the LEVOIT air purifier that has an H13 True HEPA filter that is cleanable and washable. It protects the homeowners from allergies, smokers, pet dander, mold, pollen, and dust. It is also noiseless when it is operational and removes a musty smell in the rooms.

levoit air purifier

Pros of LEVOIT air purifier:

Performance: LEVOIT air purifier with a CADR of 130 CFM/ 221 m3/h gives a powerful performance. 

Easy-to-place: With a compact design, and top-facing vents, the air purifier can be moved around easily and situated wherever there is excessive dampness, like corners and against walls.

Filters: The air purifier filters come with a 3-stage filtration process. There is a washable pre-filter to trap large particles, a high-efficiency actuated carbon filter to block toxic fumes and musty smells, and the HEPA filter to capture at least 99.9% of airborne particles. 

Comfort: The best air purifiers have noise levels of 23 decibels, allowing a peaceful and comfortable sleep. The display lights can also be turned off at bedtime. 

User-friendly: Air purifiers with a timer to set for 2, 4, and 8 hours make it user-friendly, as the check filter indicator alerts you when it is time to change the filter. 

Energy-efficient: The air purifier consumes less energy and can be operated through the day and night without any increase in utility bills.

Ozone-free: Without using UV-C purification methods, the air purifier is safe and ozone-free. 

Cons of LEVOIT air purifier:

High-maintenance: Air purifiers need regular cleaning and maintenance. Their effectiveness depends on their maintenance. Maintenance services can be expensive and will need to be included in the budget. 

Performance issues: Not all air purifiers are 100% efficient. They come with varying mechanisms and technology that may neither last long nor function at optimum levels throughout their lifespan.

Highlights:

The LEVOIT air purifier is portable and can be placed in the rooms that need it most, such as the living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. It is energy-efficient and ensures that it is cost-effective. It has top-facing vents and can fit into corners or against the walls. This air purifier has a true HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of the particles that come through the air. It can be run 24×7 without consuming too much energy and offers an efficient way to control indoor air quality.

What kills mold spores in the air?

Air purifiers can kill mold spores when placed throughout the home. With an air purifier in each of the rooms, you ensure maximum efficiency in killing mold spores, as long as they come with HEPA air purifiers and are well-maintained.

HEPA filters in the air-conditioning units and windows can also help in removing mold spores from entering the home. 

How to prevent mold at home naturally?

mold basment

There are a few easy measures you can take to ensure that mold is prevented from entering your home. 

Problem areas: Basements, kitchens, bathrooms are moist areas. Mold finds a haven in damp areas and, can grow, and mold spores can spread throughout your home. Make sure that all plumbing leaks are repaired promptly. Keeping the air conditioner’s drip pans, door seals, and trash cans dry can go a long way to keeping mold away. Monitor bedding, clothes, and those items that are not regularly used for signs of mold growth. 

Avoid carpets where possible: Basements that usually have a concrete floor are best left uncarpeted or with a linoleum floor coating. Carpets in basements can build up moisture and cause mold growth. 

Clean gutters: Organic debris and decomposing matter attract household mold because of the dead leaves and branches. Make sure that the gutters can enable free water flow as stagnating water can also attract mold. 

Control humidity levels in your home: When moisture levels go above 50%, there is too much humidity, and you need a dehumidifier to keep the air dry and cool. You can either use portable dehumidifiers in each room or a whole-house dehumidifier and link it to the HVAC unit.

Dry wet areas: Keep the bathrooms dry after a shower, take the wet clothes out of the washing machine as soon as it is done, and wipe away the condensation on the windows.

Home ventilation: Exhaust fans, wherever possible, can remove excess moisture, too. Appliances produce moisture, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, and stoves. It is important that the moisture leaves home and not enter the attic; therefore, keeping the exhaust fans to vent the air outside is imperative. 
 
Essentially, all areas or items that are damp can attract mold growth. So, practising a few simple measures like leaving wet shoes outside, drying the clothes immediately, wiping all wet surfaces, etc., can ensure that there is nowhere for mold to enter or grow. 

FAQ Section

1. What are other ways you can improve the air quality in home?

There are many ways to improve the air quality in your homes.

1. Remove indoor allergens: Allergens can trigger allergies such as sneezing, itchy skin, and eyes, runny nose, etc. They can also trigger asthmatic attacks. Keeping them out is necessary. 

2. Keep your home clean: For good hygiene indoors regularly scheduled vacuuming, cleaning bedding, blinds, and curtains frequently are necessary. Removing clutter will also make it easier to clean the area.

3. Keep the greenery outdoors: While indoor plants make the rooms look beautiful and healthy due to the oxygen that is released, it is also important to know that they can invite mold as they retain moisture. This is worse for people with allergies. So, it is better to keep the greenery outside in the yard or the garden, or at least reduce the time they stay indoors. 

4. Change the filters: HEPA filters are good as they remove airborne particles. However, they will quickly lose their effectiveness if they are not regularly washed or replaced. Accumulated dirt in the HEPA filter can be detrimental to the air quality.

5. Fresh air: Good ventilation is important because it can let out stale air and bring in some fresh air. While this may be difficult during the winter months, it is still necessary to air out the rooms as often as possible. 

2. Can mold grow in air purifier?

Mold can grow in air purifiers if they are not cleaned and well-maintained. An air purifier is an appliance like any other and requires monitoring for wear and tear of the unit and servicing. Filters are an essential part of air purifiers, and they need to be washed or replaced frequently. 

3. Do HEPA filters remove black mold?

Black mold is not restricted to any single type of mold. Many of them are black. It is likely that black mold refers to a specific type called Stachybotrys atra.

A HEPA filter in the air purifier can trap mold spores, particularly if their size is between 3 and 100 microns. Air purifiers with UV light can also kill mold spores. 

4. Can Air Purifiers remove mycotoxins?

Medical grade air purifiers rate higher on being able to remove mycotoxins. Other air purifiers can trap mold spores and, over time, can get rid of mycotoxins. However, mycotoxins are very small in size and may still escape even the HEPA filter and enter the rooms. 

5. Which is better for mold, air purifier or dehumidifier?

Both air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help to control the air indoors. But, with a dehumidifier, you remove the source of molds, such as dampness and excess moisture, leaving little to no mold spores to get trapped in the filters. It is always better to remove the root cause of mold first by keeping your homes dry and under the normal levels of humidity.

6. What is the ideal filter type for air purifier?

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filters are the best as they are made of multiple layers of filtering material. They are also stipulated by law to trap 99.9% of particles at a minimum. 

Wrapping Up

Clearly, air purifiers can be of huge help where air quality indoors is concerned. While they can be cost-effective, energy-efficient, with advanced technology, and can work towards keeping your home healthy and the air pure, it is essential to remember that regular maintenance is required of the units even as you aim to keep your homes free of clutter, dirt, excess moisture, preventing mold from entering the premises.