Should you get an air purifier for your office

Office air purifier

Whether it’s the office or your home, you want your surroundings to be clean and well-maintained. The cleanliness of a space plays a huge role in a person’s productivity and disposition. This is doubly true for an office environment and with your employees. 

That said, air quality is as much a factor in the sanitation of your workspace like any other maintenance task. In fact, indoor air quality can affect a person’s mood and overall wellness. It isn’t surprising since most people nowadays, to the tune of 90%, spend their time indoors – be at home or at their place of work.

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to make your office space comfortable and safe for your employees. Again, this should include the indoor air quality of the work area. In this article, we explore indoor air quality and air purifiers in the office. 

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Contrary to popular belief, pollutants are present both indoors and outdoors. Indoor Air Quality or IAQ pertains to the quality of air within a confined space. It involves measuring the air pollutants to determine whether or not any given area is safe for occupants. While it might seem innocuous, less than par indoor air quality is a real concern. It takes the lives of over 3 million people every year due to respiratory complications. 

The quality of indoor air is tested with the aid of sensors. These sensors measure volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. 

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Especially for offices that do not have enough ventilation, air purifiers can be used to improve the air quality of the space. There are different ways these machines clean surrounding air depending on their type and make. However, every single type provides effective disinfection and dwell time

Air purifiers with High-efficiency particle air or HEPA filters work by drawing microparticles into a fan and trapping them in a filter. The best HEPA air purifiers can filter 99.7% of airborne particles. This type of filtration is the gold standard when it comes to air purification. 

Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation or UVGI filtration, on the other hand, uses short-wavelength light to disrupt nano-particles at a cellular level. This type of filtration system is a popular option for hospitals and clinics that require the purification of frequently touched surfaces.

What are the Benefits of an Air Purifier in the Office?

Air purifiers have increased in popularity for both homes and offices over the last few years. Due to the popularity, there are people who question the need for these expensive machines altogether. Nevertheless, there are benefits to getting an air purifier for your workspace: 

Fewer Allergies

For the most part, mild allergies are more of a nuisance than a fatal risk. On a weekend, a sneezing fit is nothing more than an inconvenience that can make cooking pancakes for breakfast annoying. However, at the office, a sneezing fit is not only disruptive but also distracting.
Because air purifiers lessen the number of allergens in the air, they are effective in curbing the prevalence of allergies in any given space. No allergies, only comfort, and ease for your employees!  

Better Airflow

Most offices are sealed in order to control the temperature from within. While this is great for achieving a level of comfort, these seals also trap air pollutants that can wreak havoc on the health of your employees. Air purifiers bolster the circulation of air in the office. It ensures that air doesn’t remain stagnant in one place. 

Get Rid of Odor

Strong odors can be very distracting especially in places wherein people are required to concentrate. Unfortunately, not all offices have the option to open a window to let the air out. As a result, unpleasant smells linger long enough for the scent to stick to surfaces. An air purifier in your office can clean and disinfect the air. This is a more effective method of getting rid of smells than covering up the odor with a deodorizer. 

Safe Working Environment

Air quality is serious business. Keeping your office’s air quality on par with industry standards can ensure that your employees remain healthy and well. After all, the impact of disease outbreaks in the office is often immeasurable. Air purifiers are great investments because healthy employees are productive employees. 

Keep your working environment healthy by having an air purifier!

What Makes a Good Air Purifier?

Air purifiers, especially commercial-scale machines, are expensive. It is only natural that research is a requirement in ensuring that you get the right one for your office: 

HEPA Filter / UVGI Filter

HEPA filters and UVGI filters have their own merit. They serve a specific purpose for specific people and specific places. That said, no matter which machine you buy, make sure that they are equipped with either of the two. These technologies are what make or break a good air purifier. 

Fit to Size

Aside from the type of filtration, the size of the room is also an important thing to consider when making an air purifier purchase. The bigger the room the stronger a purifier it needs. One way to figure out the efficacy of a machine is through Clean Air Delivery Rate or CADR. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the room, the better the delivery rate should be. 

Noise Levels

Most air purifiers emit a sort of white noise when turned on. Some people find this low hum pleasant and suitable for productivity. Nevertheless, not everyone feels this way. As a compromise, your best resolve is to find a purifier that is effective and quiet. 

Covid-19 might almost be out the door with the introduction of vaccines, but the threat of the virus is still very much real. Moreover, more than the coronavirus, there are plenty of pathogens that threaten the health of you and your employees. 

In today’s day and age, you can never be too careful. If you want to give your office a fighting shot, opting for the help of the right commercial cleaners in Fairfield County, Connecticut is your best bet to ward off disease agents. To learn more about  2021 Commercial Cleaning Industry Trends, don’t hesitate to contact us today!