15 Benefits of Air Purifiers & Buying Guide for Homeowners
An air cleaner makes a tantalizing promise: An appliance that purifies the air in your house by removing all pollutants such as smells, smoke, dust, and pet dander. Given that certain contaminants might be five times greater in indoor air than in outside air, we understand. Some versions may even be able to target poor air that finds its way into your apartment or house, especially if you live in a polluted or disaster-prone region.
Air purifiers can mitigate and reduce the dangers caused by pollution and indoor activities. However, a word of caution, not all air purifiers live up to their advertising claims. Dust, despite its appearance as a simple irritant, attracts germs, viruses, and dust mites, all of which can cause allergic responses in people with reactive airway disorders.
Furthermore, hazardous gases produced by wood and gas stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene and gas space heaters can be found in houses. When these gases are breathed in too frequently, they can cause significant health problems for individuals who are exposed to them.
What do Air Purifiers Actually Do?
A filter, or many filters, and a fan that sucks in and circulates air are the most common components of an air purifier. Pollutants and particles are collected when air passes through the filter, and the clean air is pumped back into the living room. Filters are often constructed of paper, fiber (commonly fiberglass), or mesh, and they must be replaced regularly to be effective.
That implies you should consider running costs and filter replacement prices in addition to the purchase price of an air purifier. Because you should be operating air purifiers near continually to reap the advantages, operational costs can rapidly add up to $50 per year. Likewise, filter replacements might cost more than $100 each year.
The frequency with which you should change filters depends on the make and model of the purifier and the frequency of it being used. Some filters are reusable and washable, but they need a lot of attention and aren't generally found on the most effective air purifiers. Reusable filters are better at eliminating bigger disposable filters to remove particles from the air, such as dust mites and pollen. UV filters (ultraviolet light) are also available, which promise to eliminate biological contaminants mold or germs, for example. Many of these filters, however, need a greater wattage and a longer exposure time.
Ionizers utilize negatively charged ions to attract and remove contaminants like dust and allergies from the air. Air cleaners using ionizers should not produce ozone, a toxic gas that consists of three oxygen atoms. Ozone can worsen asthma and irritate the respiratory system. Ozone air purifiers are often marked with the words "ozone air purifier" on the box or in the promotional materials.
What exactly are air purifiers meant to filter out, and do they?
Filtration intended to trap dust and pollen will not collect VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or radon, two gas threats that are common in indoor environments. An adsorbent, such as activated carbon, would be required. EPA claims that air purifiers' capacity to filter out gases is limited, and they recommend replacing filters at least every three to six months for optimal effectiveness.
A significant number of air purifiers are capable of removing harmful particles from the air (dust, smoke, pollen, etc.). That said, their ability to remove gaseous contaminants like VOCs or radon from the air is limited; they may be present as by-products of adhesives, paints, or cleaning products. They are unable to detect allergen residue found in upholstered furniture or floors.
Also, air purifiers in the real world are unlikely to function in the same way as those in a controlled setting, which is why "99% effectiveness" claims are all but meaningless. The specific location, flow rate, and length of the operation all vary, as do the conditions under which the operation is to be performed. In addition, the air quality in your home may be affected by other things besides only the filter, such as ventilation (open or closed windows) and the constant appearance of new particles. Maintaining correct moisture levels in your house will help you avoid mold growth, and a dehumidifier or humidifier can help you do that. Yet, while air purifiers cannot keep mold from growing, mold must be prevented from forming in the first place.
Do Air Purifiers Filter Outside Air?
The VOCs from earlier may originate outside your home. A considerable amount of smoke inhalation is a hazard in structure fires, and this can induce cyanide poisoning. This, however, will have to be someone who is now within or close to the fire: these individuals are sent to the nearest emergency department immediately.
However, the appropriate air purifier can handle any environmental air quality issues in your area. Dr. Roten adds that, in the case of adjacent wildfires, a HEPA filter-equipped purifier is your best bet: "Anything with a genuine HEPA filter in it should be able to filter out most of the big particles that would be problematic," he adds. "The majority of the smokey odor will be treated as well."
Should I Invest in an Air Purifier?
Before you go, keep in mind that air purifiers aren't a panacea. There is virtually little scientific proof that air purifiers assist/enhance your health or relieve allergies and respiratory problems. This is somewhat due to the difficulty of distinguishing the impacts of recognized air-quality contaminants in your house from the effects of other environmental and genetic variables. (How, for example, are your home's furniture and ventilation influencing you, in addition to any indoor pollutants?) However, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, an air purifier with a HEPA filter may be beneficial to you because it is effective at eliminating tiny airborne particles.
What is a HEPA filter, and how does it Work?
A common term for High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is HEPA. While often built of ultra-fine fiberglass threads, HEPA filters catch a variety of sizes of particles in a multi-layered netting with variable-sized gaps, as well as several types of different-sized air particles. A mesh consisting of tightly woven, flat fibers, such as those used in clothing, is wrapped in a metal or plastic frame and airtight.
The fan on the air purifier draws air into the filter, where it then picks up dust and other debris. If the particles are bigger than the fibers, they are collected via impaction. Mid-sized particles are captured by interception, and ultra-fine particles are captured by diffusion.
In an air purifier, what should I look for?
The CADR (clean-air delivery rate) rating is a measure of how clean the air is. This is a measurement of the purifier's cleaning speed for eliminating smoke, dust, and pollen. Look for a CADR of at least 300, and anything over 350 is fantastic.
Size recommendations. A model that is intended to function in the room size is required for good efficacy. If you wish to run it at a lower, quieter level, choose a model that is meant for a bigger area than the one you are equipping it for.
Verified by the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers). The AHAM standards are intended to assure the safety, efficiency, and performance of a wide range of home health care appliances, including air purifiers. The standards are intended to facilitate the purchase process by establishing a consistent understanding between producers and customers. While this certification method is optional, most respectable air purifiers have gone through it, which generally includes a CADR rating and size requirements.
True HEPA filtration. True HEPA filters are capable of filtering out ultrafine particles (think: dust, dander, pollen, mold, and other common allergens in the home). In a lab environment, the machine must be able to remove at least 99.97 percent of particles measuring 0.3-micron diameter, according to industry standards. It's crucial to remember that the actual efficacy of these devices in real-world settings would be far lower, given new contaminants emerge on a regular basis. It's worth noting that the words "HEPA-like" and "HEPA-type" have no industry standard and are primarily employed as marketing ploys to get customers to buy the product.
What additional options do I have for improving the air quality in my home?
The greatest suggestion is to find the source of the pollution and ventilate your home. If you want to complement your air purifier's job or test if you can live without one, consider the following measures to assist in minimizing indoor air irritants:
Keep your windows open when it's safe to do so to avoid trapping allergens inside your home (particularly if your air purifier isn't working!). If feasible, open windows on opposing sides of the room to create a greater cross draught.
Vacuum often. If you're looking for a vacuum, choose one that's sealed, comes with a bag, and is HEPA-certified. They do a better job of trapping dust than sending it back into the atmosphere. The Miele U1 Maverick SHAE0 is recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Change air filters on a regular basis to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently. Dr. Rote adds that obtaining a HEPA-specific filter for your circulation system might give further filtration: "It'll [recirculate] the air in your house a little bit better with each pass," he says.
In the kitchen, use an exhaust fan (and bath and laundry areas if possible). Turn it on before turning on the oven or turning on the burners and leave it on for a few minutes after you've finished cooking.
Reduce the use of candles and wood fires and prohibit smoking within the home. Improving air quality by reducing polluting sources is a guaranteed method to do so.
The 15 Benefits & Advantages of Air Purifiers
Air purifiers may help in a variety of commercial and residential settings, including schools, hospitals, workplaces, and companies, by lowering asthma and allergy triggers and avoiding the contamination of dangerous chemicals. The following are just a few of the advantages of having an air purifier in your home or office.
1. Asthma Triggers are Removed by Air Purifiers
When you're at home, you're at a "high priority public health risk" because that's where the greatest asthma triggers are present. Dry skin cells, dirt, dust, carbon monoxide, home cleaners, air-freshening sprays, cooking smoke, paint products, cosmetics, fragrances, and hairsprays are all potential triggers.
In addition, your work environment may include mold spores or cockroaches, both of which are asthma triggers. New carpets can also be dangerous since they emit pollutants.
These chemicals' particles can be inhaled if they aren't cleared from the air, causing wheezing and other asthma symptoms. For asthmatics, the smallest airborne particles can do the greatest harm. As a result, air purifiers that eliminate tiny pollutants are suitable for asthma treatment.
Hypoallergenic bedding, hardwood flooring, and dehumidifying the air, which kills dust mites, are some more methods to decrease asthma triggers in the house. Indoor air pollution may be reduced by increasing airflow and utilizing HEPA air filters, lowering your risk of getting asthma or causing asthma attacks.
Bottom Line: Because of the significant number of asthma triggers present within homes and businesses, air purifiers may be required to cleanse the air of these triggers. Those designed to eliminate tiny airborne particles are better for lowering the risk of an asthma attack.
2. Purifiers of the Air Dust and pet odor are examples of allergens that will be avoided.
Your body reacts to dust, pollen, or pet odor by producing IgE, an allergy antibody. This response is accompanied by allergic responses.
Pet odor may be reduced using air purifiers like CycloUV, lowering your chances of developing allergies. The issue with CycloUV is that it might create ozone, which can irritate allergies.
Other air purifiers, on the other hand, do not use ozone and can eliminate allergens such as cigarette smoke, pollen, dust mites, and dander from homes and workplaces.
Bottom Line: Inhaling dust, pollen, pet odor, or cigarette smoke might cause your body to generate IgE, which triggers allergic responses. It is preferable to locate an air purifier that can eliminate these allergens without producing ozone to prevent these responses.
3. Tobacco and cigarette smoke are trapped by air purifiers, preventing lung disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease can both be caused by inhaling cigarette smoke. Ear infections, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis are some of the other adverse effects of tobacco or cigarette smoke.
Because children's lungs are still developing and their respiratory rates are higher than an adult's, secondhand smoke is just as harmful for them. Meanwhile, older persons who are exposed to secondhand smoking have a greater chance of developing dementia. Smoke may be removed from the air using a HEPA filter and activated carbon in air purifiers.
Most cigarette or tobacco smoke can be sucked into a purifier where it will be caught since HEPA filters can remove particles as small as.3 microns and cigarette smoke can be as small as 4 to.01 microns.
Because activated carbon becomes porous at high temperatures, it may attract cigarette smoke. Air contaminants such as chemicals, smells, gases, and smoke can travel through the activated carbon and be absorbed in the porous surface it produces when this occurs.
A Rabbit Air Purifier is ideal for removing smoke from your home since it has both HEPA filters and a Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter, which filters typical air pollutants using charcoal pellets.
Bottom Line: Tobacco and cigarette smoke, when breathed, can cause significant health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. Because of their weakened respiratory systems, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to cigarette smoke. Smoke is attracted to and encased by air purifiers with HEPA filters and activated carbon.
4. Air purifiers remove airborne asbestos particles, lowering the risk of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a mineral made composed of dense, long-lasting fibers that is resistant to heat and chemicals. Asbestos was once widely utilized in a variety of items, the most popular of which were construction materials, but it has since been shown that it may cause mesothelioma, a fatal disease that attacks the lungs, as well as other cancers and ailments.
Because asbestos has no flavor or taste, it might be difficult to tell if a product is manufactured with it. Symptoms of illnesses including asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma can take decades to appear.
Despite the danger, asbestos can still be used in items if there is no other option, therefore asbestos may still exist. Protective apparel, pipe insulation, and brake linings are examples of goods that require fireproof and heat resistant materials.
Asbestos may be present in homes built before the 1980s, as well as places in California and Montana. Insulation, cement, drywall, and ceiling and floor tiles are all products that include the mineral. Until they are damaged or chopped, none of these goods will be harmful. Those who have worked with asbestos materials or are presently working with them, as well as those who have come into touch with the clothing or skin of those who have, may be impacted. This can include members of one's own relatives.
It is suggested that you contact an asbestos abatement specialist to carefully remove the dangerous ingredient from your house using federal laws. Asbestos particles will become airborne during the removal process.
It is recommended that employees or homeowners use air purifiers or air-purifying respirators in certain situations to reduce the risk of inhaling asbestos.
Bottom Line: Asbestos was formerly widely used in construction materials, but it is now known to cause lung illnesses such as mesothelioma. Asbestos-containing goods, on the other hand, are still in use today for practical reasons. To avoid breathing the airborne particle, expert assistance and air purifiers are required to remove them.
5. Radon Gas, which can cause lung cancer, is eliminated by air purifiers.
Lung cancer can occur because of inhaling specific gases.
In addition, radon gas is generated when soil, rock, and water all contain varying amounts of uranium – Which penetrates through breaks in floors and walls, construction seams, or gaps around services pipes, electrical cables, and sump pits in houses, workshops, and schools. It is possible for everyone to be exposed to the harmful effects of radon gas, but at dangerously high levels, radon gas can lead to death. It is estimated that 15,000 to 22,000 people die each year from radon-induced lung cancer.
Sealing gaps in your floors and walls, boosting ventilation in your pipes and fans by utilizing sub-slab depressurization, or installing air purifiers, which may suck the gas into their units and remove it from your living area are all suggestions for lowering radon levels.
Bottom Line: Air purifiers can help you get rid of radon gas in your home, business, or school. This may help to prevent lung cancer from developing.
6. Purifiers of the Air Remove Pollutants and Outside Fumes from Urban Environments
Allergies are more frequent in regions with contemporary, urban life, such as those in industrialized countries in North America and Europe, as compared to Third World countries, where the number of individuals with allergic illnesses is low.
As well, the incidence of allergies and asthma is significantly higher in cities and near roadways. People with allergies and asthma may be sensitive to pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and diesel exhaust particles, which are present in these regions.
The greatest approach to combat pollution both inside and outside the home is to have well-ventilated dwellings. Air purifiers are the greatest way to ventilate a home.
Bottom Line: Air pollution may be pulled inside a house, which, depending on where you live, may irritate allergy and asthma sufferers. Those who live near cities are more likely to experience high levels of pollution from external sources. The use of an air purifier in a home in a city can help to minimize the flow of pollutants from outside.
7. Purifiers of the Air Reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in your home
In the natural carbon cycle, we take in oxygen with every breath and exhale carbon dioxide with every breath. We also make carbon dioxide when we are limited in space or unable to circulate oxygen, such as when we have plants or open windows and doors. When that occurs, there is a greater risk that we breathe in the carbon dioxide, which can be dangerous to our health because we breathe in the carbon dioxide without realizing it. A myriad of symptoms can be experienced by absorbing too much carbon dioxide, such as shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, weakness, loss of mental acuity, unconsciousness, nausea, high blood pressure, sweating, drowsiness, lung diseases, and even death.
A HEPA air purifier can lower carbon dioxide levels in the air, reducing the negative effects that inhaling carbon dioxide can cause.
Bottom Line: Because there may be little to no oxygen circulation or leisure in an inside setting, breathing in carbon dioxide may occur more frequently in a house than previously thought. Air purifiers might be a good solution since they remove carbon dioxide from the air and circulate it.
8. Air purifiers reduce the risk of leukemia and lymphoma by removing volatile organic compounds (VOC).
VOCs are compounds that may achieve high vapor pressure at room temperature, causing an unpleasant odor and potentially harming your health by causing malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Paints and other coatings for walls and furniture, as well as dry-cleaning clothing, air fresheners, aerosol sprays, storage fuels, and car goods, include these compounds.
VOC (or volatile organic compounds) can be found in the home if you experience watery eyes, nausea, and difficulty breathing while experiencing a burning or choking feeling in your throat.
Purchasing "exterior-grade" pressed wood items, as well as employing air purifiers that can extract vapors from your surroundings and store them in their own device, will help minimize the amount of VOC you bring into your house.
Bottom Line: In paints, furniture coatings, and aerosol sprays, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are substances with a strong odor that can cause leukemia and lymphoma. When you use air purifiers, you may minimize VOCs.
9. Purifiers of the Air Prevent Malaria Infections by Removing Potentially Dangerous Insects Like Mosquitoes
Without purifiers, insects might serve as a nuisance and be difficult to locate, perhaps spreading diseases or illnesses. Insecticides are excellent at getting rid of insects but may also contaminate the environment with harmful chemicals.
It is impossible to guarantee that all insects will be killed using insecticides. Malaria, for example, is caused by mosquitos, which are resistant to these toxins and have been known to cause serious diseases like this.
Insecticides, however, are shown to be harmful, whereas air purifiers are shown to be helpful.
Bottom Line: Air purifiers are more successful at killing insects than sprays, which can pollute your house and cause health problems. Purifiers can also reduce your chances of acquiring malaria since they kill the organisms that spread the disease.
10. In hospitals and health clinics, air purifiers reduce contamination.
Most physicians' offices are located near highways or other metropolitan areas, where they might take in a significant amount of pollution from the environment.
Because humans are in close contact with airborne viruses, bacteria, and disinfectants that are designed to kill microorganisms but leave poisons in the air, indoor pollution at these facilities can be much more harmful than it is elsewhere. These viruses and bacteria can lodge in these spaces and infect other individuals. Magazines, office brochures, clipboards, doorknobs, and pens are examples of things on which these bacteria might settle.
Bringing an air purifier into physicians' offices, which will be able to remove particulates from the air before they settle and infect others, is one answer to this problem. They can also get rid of disinfectant chemicals, which are potentially as harmful as the viruses themselves.
Air purifiers can also be used in examination or operating rooms to rid the air of pollutants that could harm the physicians or nurses. Doctors have also worn HEPA filters, which are a major component of the most efficient air purifiers, when treating patients with illnesses like TB.
Bottom Line: Air purifiers can be used in hospitals, clinics, and physicians' or dentists' offices to eliminate germs and disinfectants from the air, preventing the transmission and development of illnesses. Physicians also utilize these devices to prevent becoming contaminated when operating on patients with infectious diseases.
11. Children, the elderly, and the chronically ill are all protected from respiratory illnesses by air purifiers.
Those who spend the most time indoors, such as the younger and older generations, as well as the chronically ill, particularly those with respiratory or cardiovascular illness, are the most impacted by indoor pollution.
Because polluted air falls closer to the ground due to its density, children and infants are at the greatest danger of inhaling air contaminants. This is where the younger ones are most likely to be found. It also doesn't help that these people have weak or underdeveloped respiratory systems, which makes air pollution much more dangerous.
Air purifiers can help people with respiratory problems since they minimize the quantity of harmful components in the air, lowering the amount of pollutants breathed.
Bottom Line: Because air purifiers can remove the majority of particles from the air, children, the elderly, and the chronically ill can breathe cleaner air, perhaps preventing disease onset or worsening.
12. Air purifiers provide clean air, which boosts mood. When ingested
You will get less irritated and retain a more pleasant attitude and even temper as a result of the pure air you are breathing with an air purifier.
Ionizers create "negative ions," which are used in some air purifiers. These ions improve mood and reduce sadness, as well as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or depression brought on by changes in the weather. Inhaled clean air has been shown to enhance emotions. Because they generate more "negative ions," which are responsible for promoting happiness and lowering sadness, air purifiers with ionizers provide greater outcomes in terms of raising mood levels.
13. Air purifiers remove pollutants from the air, lowering stress levels.
People who breathe clean air are less anxious than those who breathe dirty air, according to research. Your cortisol levels will drop as you breathe in purified or clean air, reducing stress and allowing you to rest. This can boost your productivity while also lowering your stress levels.
Knowing that your living environment, where you will most likely spend the most of your day, is pollutant-free might provide you with peace of mind. It gives you the peace of mind that harmful air particles are being eliminated from your house, lowering your risk of contracting diseases caused by them. You'll have one less issue to be concerned about.
Bottom Line: Clean air in your home or workplace may lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and giving you peace of mind because you won't be breathing in harmful particles and getting diseases as a result.
14. Air purifiers produce a soothing sound that improves sleep quality.
Contaminated air makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep since it can make you feel uneasy and even smell. An air purifier may not only clean the air but also generate a soothing sound. Though it is typical for an air purifier to generate some noise, others provide a pleasant and relaxing sound that nearly lulls you to sleep.
Air purifiers may produce a sound similar to ocean waves or peaceful breezes on a mountain top, which some people find pleasant enough to fall asleep to.
Bottom Line: The clean air produced by air purifiers, as well as the soothing noises they emit, can help individuals relax and get a good night's sleep.
15. Air purifiers increase air circulation, allowing more pollutants to be trapped.
Though you have kept your home from being cold in the winter by insulating, sealing, or caulking it, you have also trapped in air pollution. Air purifiers may assist in the circulation of oxygen in your house and depending on the air delivery rating (ADR), a device can circulate the air in a room up to six times per hour.
Without an air purifier, you'd have to keep your windows and doors open as much as possible, which isn't always possible, and use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to enhance air circulation.
Bottom Line: While there are a variety of ways to circulate air in your house, the best option is to utilize an air purifier, which can circulate air up to six times each day, depending on the type. Circulating the air in your house will remove harmful particles from surfaces, allowing the purifier to capture them in its units.
Considerations When it Comes to Choosing the Best Air Purifier
It can be difficult to find the perfect air purifier for your requirements at a fair price, especially because there are more than 14 air-purifying techniques and many purifiers connected with each technique but understanding more about what is available will help you narrow down your search. When selecting a purifier, keep the following aspects in mind.
1. Know what you require or desire before looking for the best deal.
Air purifiers are available in a variety of configurations and, as a result, at a variety of prices. It is advised that you first identify what your demands are to select the best air purifier for you.
Do you need anything to get rid of smells or to eliminate hazardous particles? Do you want to get rid of mold, dust, or pet odors due to allergies?
The size, weight, and color of the appliance, as well as the noise control, must all be considered.
After you've determined your needs for an air purifier, you may limit down your options. An air purifier that meets all of your criteria at a fair or low cost would be the best option for you.
Make sure you know how much it will cost to replace a filter in your purifier, as well as the cost of each filter. A purifier may appear inexpensive at first, but it may become more costly to maintain as you use it.
An air purifier designed for a single room is the best solution. The cost of these purifiers is usually around $300. Whole-house purifiers, on the other hand, can cost thousands of dollars due to the amount of installation and power required.
Bottom Line: Before you go out and buy a purifier, it's a good idea to figure out what you want from it. Purifier prices vary based on its intended use. However, a good air purifier for one room costs around $300, but whole-house purifiers can cost thousands of dollars.
2. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters are found in the best air purifiers.
HEPA filters are very efficient in capturing particles and purifying the air. Pollen, mildew, spores, pet dander, and dust mites are among the contaminants that these filters can effectively eliminate.
They can remove particles as tiny as.3 microns in diameter, which is a major benefit because air pollutants of this size can cause serious respiratory illnesses similar to asbestos.
HEPA air purifiers employ blowers to pull particles into its filters, trapping them inside the unit. Because this technique does not create ozone, it is healthier for the environment. These gadgets are favored for this reason, in addition to the fact that they perform their functions swiftly and silently, making them an excellent home appliance.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters, on the other hand, consume a lot of energy, aren't particularly effective at eliminating cigarette smoke or home aromas, and require filter replacement every few years, though some filters are washable.
Bottom Line: Customers prefer air purifiers with HEPA filters because they remove the vast majority of pollutants from the air in a quiet and efficient manner, but they are ineffective in removing tobacco smoke or odors.
3. Stay Away from Air Purifiers That Rely on Electronic Technology Instead of Hepa Filters.
When compared to air purifiers with HEPA filters, non-HEPA filters will not offer less satisfactory outcomes.
Instead, they'll employ electrical technology to reverse the particle shift, causing them to become trapped on your furniture, floors, and clothing rather than in the machine. This may not be particularly successful since if the particles are not dusted or vacuumed soon enough, they can return to the air.
Bottom Line: Electronic air purifiers, rather than HEPA filters, are not advised unless you clean and vacuum your home frequently since they cause airborne particles to rest on furniture instead of being caught in the purifier, allowing them to return to the air later.
4. Your Air Purifier Should Be Able to Purify the Amount of Air in Your Room.
You may buy as many air purifiers as you want, but if you just want one, you'll most likely use it where you or your entire family will be for the majority of the day. Typically, this is the living room.
A good air purifier should remove a significant number of particles from the air, and the best way to locate one that accomplishes this is to look for one that is suggested for the area you want to use it in, such as the living room. The size of these purifiers is determined by the room's square footage.
As a result, you should calculate the square footage of your room and then look for an air purifier that can filter the air in that space.
Bottom Line: It is advised that you choose an air purifier that can cleanse your room's size. Because more people use air purifiers in their living rooms, it is recommended that you measure and choose an appropriate purifier for your living room.
5. Your Air Purifier Should Be Portable or Have the Ability to Latch onto Anything Stable..
If you decide to buy an air purifier, you should think about where you'll put it.
There are small and unobtrusive commercial-grade purifiers that stand alone and can be moved as needed, as well as larger ones that can be attached to an AHU (air handler unit) or an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit, which can be found in most businesses such as industrial, medical, and commercial residences.
Once you've discovered a decent air purifier, check to see if the filters, if any, are simple to use, clean, and replace. Otherwise, you could be putting in more time and effort than is required or desirable.
Bottom Line: If you're searching for an air purifier for your house, compact, inconspicuous, and portable air purifiers are a good option. If you're looking for a device for your company, you might want to consider a purifier that connects to your AHU or HVAC unit.
6. UVGI Air Purifiers are ineffective in removing a variety of irritants, such as odors and allergens.
Some air purifiers, such as UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) purifiers, employ fans to draw in air before firing invisible ultraviolet rays at surrounding particles, killing, or incapacitating harmful airborne organisms.
Larger particles must be exposed to UV rays many times to be eliminated, thus these purifiers aren't always successful.
The purifier's bulbs lose their effectiveness with time, requiring the customer to change them on a frequent basis, which might be inconvenient. UVGI purifiers do not function against smoke, smells, allergies, or chemicals, which may irritate customers.
Bottom Line: UVGI air purifiers may not entirely satisfy customers since they have a tougher time eliminating big particles, which leaves pollutants such as smoke, smells, allergies, and chemicals in the air and necessitates regular bulb replacement.
7. Ionizing air purifiers may quickly clean and circulate air, but they make a lot of noise.
Corona discharge is a technique used in ionizing purifiers. As an electron is either removed or added to the atom, neutral atoms pass through the purifier's electric field and become either a positive or negative ion. These ions will then be attracted to a magnet within the gadget, removing them from the atmosphere.
These purifiers might cause particles to land on furniture, such as the wall opposite your purifier, which isn't ideal for customers. They don't remove smells or kill germs, and they make a lot of noise while cleaning and circulating your air.
Look for devices that are about 35 decibels or "whisper quiet" to discover a purifier that generates little noise.
Bottom Line: Ionizing purifiers use a corona discharge technique to convert neutral atoms into either a positive or negative ion, which can be attracted to both the purifier's magnet and your furnishings. These purifiers can make a lot of noise, although quieter purifiers with a decibel rating of approximately 35 are available.
8. Look for air purifiers that have been certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and are recommended by the EPA.
Purifiers that have received AHAM certification have been proved to be appropriate.
The emblem on the product packaging will indicate which air purifiers have been approved by AHAM. These items will display the model's recommended room size, if it has undergone energy testing, whether it meets the ENERGY STAR requirements, and which pollutants it is responsible for eliminating.
When a product meets the ENERGY STAR standards, it is considered energy-efficient.
Some purifiers aren't suitable for regular usage since they provide important functions. Ozone generators, for example, are designed to eliminate microorganisms that cause mold and rot.
Though this may be useful, a negative consequence is a persistent stench and sterilized air rather than pure oxygen, which can be more harmful to one's health than normal air pollution. For the protection of your health, the Environmental Protection Agency advises customers to avoid certain items.
Customers have found air purifiers to be more effective when they have been approved by AHAM and confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency. These purifiers are guaranteed to function properly, consume the proper amount of electricity, and are safe for the environment and your health.
Conclusion
If you want to clean the air in your home but don't want to spend the money on an air purifier, you can keep your windows and doors open, which will circulate the air but may not be ideal in all weather conditions and can let bugs and pollutants in. You should also dust and vacuum regularly, smoke outdoors, keep yourself and your dogs clean, and maintain a comfortable temperature in your house.
These strategies appear easy enough, yet for some, they are difficult to follow on a daily basis. As a result, using an air purifier is the best and most convenient approach to keep air contaminants in your home or office to a minimum.