An air purifier helps to clean the indoor air quality by removing allergens such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, etc., leading to better health outcomes for you and your family.
Choose an air purifier that addresses your reasons for it.
For example, if seasonal allergies are a concern, be sure to find an air purifier that addresses this issue.
If pet dander is more of an issue, there are air purifiers that offer to clear the air of pet dander and reduce or eliminate the smells that can accompany the presence of animals in the home.
Common types of air purifiers
Purifier with Hepa technology
High-Efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) technology has been used for a long time to filter out particles such as mold, bacteria or viruses. In order to be considered “HEPA” a filter must be able to trap at a minimum of 99.97% of particles that are larger than 0.3 microns.
A HEPA filter consists of a material that is folded back in on itself multiple times into an accordion shape. This offers a larger surface to trap particles as air pushes through it with a fan.
A filter like this will last, depending on the environment, from 2 to 4 years, so it can be a very economical choice.
Activated carbon
Made with multiple tiny pores, activated carbon (a/k/a charcoal) filters work well for trapping pollutants like gases, tobacco smoke, odors, and chemical emissions.
If you’re worried about off-gassing from newly installed carpet, wood paneling, etc., this type of air purifier can remove these particles.
However, this filter type doesn’t work well for particles such as dust, mold, and/or pollen, so if you need removal of both particulates and chemicals, look for a filter that suits your needs.
UV technology
Because it kills germs only, such as bacteria or viruses, air purifiers that use UV technology will also use a particulate filter system (e.g. HEPA filter) to remove particulates from indoor air.
A UV lamp installed within the air purifier destroys microorganisms by damaging their cellular structure when they come in contact with the UV light.
This type of air purifier should also reduce or eliminate ozone, making your indoor air much healthier.
What size and where to place it
Look at any air purifier on the market and you’ll see recommendations for the size of a room it’s designed to clean.
Decide where you want it to go and then measure the room you’re placing it in. Use this information to cross-compare different air purifiers.
Also decide how often you need the air in the room to be filtered. This will be reflected in the unit’s ACH (air change per hour) rate. The reason you’re purchasing it can help you determine how high you need the ACH rate to be.
Hint: Often, manufacturers will recommend their products for a specific purpose, such as “bedroom” or “nursery room” which can help you determine the right air purifier for your situation.
Size
As noted earlier, measure the size of the room you want to use the unit in. Air purifiers are ordered according to square footage, so start with the size room you want to place it in, and then look at the ACH rate. Obviously, the higher the ACH rate, the better. So, for example, if you’re purchasing an air purifier to combat asthma or allergies look for one which cleans the air at a rate of at least 4 times per hour.
What features do you need?
In addition to the rate of air exchange and type of filter(s), features to look for include:
- ⬥ Wheels – to help with mobility
- ⬥ Handle(s) to pick up the unit and move it
- ⬥ Digital controls
- ⬥ Remote control
- ⬥ Programmable timer
- ⬥ Fan speed adjustment
- ⬥ Indicator light for filters
- ⬥ Air quality sensor(s)
- ⬥ Wi-fi (can link with your phone to control the unit)
To save money, look at the EPA Energy-Star rating for the unit you’re considering.
Maintenance
Finally, the need to change the filter will vary; some can be changed annually, whereas others will need more frequent changes.
Moveable air purifiers clean the air in a particular room, so if you want one to purify your entire home look for a whole house purifier that connects to your current HVAC system.
