If you’ve decided that you want an air purifier, you will already know how great they can be for keeping the air in your home free from harmful particles.
However, you may be struggling with how to go about picking the right air purifier. This post covers the main things you should look out for before you make a final decision on an air purifier.
Why Do You Need an Air Purifier?
Many people simply want to keep the air in their home clean to prevent any health problems.
If you suffer from allergies, you may want to stick with an air purifier that has a range of filters. HEPA filters are the main ones to look out for to get rid of potential allergens, such as pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander.
People who have asthma have benefited from air purifiers clearing out any particles that can make it more difficult to breathe. Asthma is often made worse by chemical particles. Therefore, an air purifier with chemical and HEPA filters would be best.
As far as getting rid of smoke goes, an air purifier with a carbon or HEPA filter works well. A large carbon filter is effective at absorbing smoke and odors that can trigger respiratory problems.
To eliminate pollutants from cleaning supplies, air purifiers with chemical and odor filtration systems are effective.
The Area You’re Using an Air Purifier In
One of the main aspects to consider when purchasing an air purifier is the size of the room that you’re planning to use it in.
Each air purifier will be able to cover a certain space to work effectively. So, you’ll want to measure the size of the room you’re going to have the air purifier set up in.
This lets you narrow down your search to air purifiers that work well within the space that you have. You should also keep in mind that an air purifier works best in the room that you install it in.
Therefore, if you were interested in having the air properly cleaned in multiple rooms, you’d need to consider multiple air purifiers.
There are induct air purifiers that can be used to clean the air across all the rooms in your home. Having said that, the portable air purifiers are more effective at removing a larger percentage of pollutants from the one room that they’re in.
Air Purifier Room Size Guide
- Small – Spaces up to 299 square feet
- Medium – Spaces that are 300-699 square feet
- Large – Spaces that are 700-1,900 square feet
We recommend using an air purifier that’s able to work in an area that’s larger than the room you’re planning to use it in. This will ensure you’re able to get the best performance out of the machine.
If you’re using an air purifier in your bedroom, it’s best to keep it between 6 and 10 feet away from the head of the bed.
When you’re setting it up in other areas, such as living rooms, be sure that the machine has a clearance of 1-2 feet.
Which Type of Air Purifier is Best for Your Needs?
HEPA Filters
Air purifiers that are fitted with HEPA filters are among the top choices for people with asthma or allergies. These air purifiers work to get rid of over 99% of small particles in the air.
People suffering from asthma or allergies tend to be affected by tiny particles, such as pollen, mold, and pet dander. HEPA filter air purifiers are made to catch these microscopic pollutants and stop them from being released back into the air.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers are among the other main type available. They don’t all capture particles as HEPA filter machines do.
Instead, they release charged particles that attach themselves to pollutants. Once the attachment has been made, the pollutants drop down to the ground.
Some ionic air purifiers have an electrostatic plate that collects the particles. These types of air purifiers can get rid of particles that are even smaller than the ones HEPA filter machines can catch.
Having said that, air purifiers with HEPA filters may be best for people with asthma. This is because ionic machines release charged particles that can cause irritation to asthmatics.
CADR Rating
You can also use the CADR rating as a way to determine which type of air purifier is best for your needs. It provides you with more specific information on how effective an air purifier is at expelling certain particles.
You can learn more about CADR ratings by checking out our post here.
Different Types of Filters Available
- Carbon filters – Carbon filters catch gases and odors. They’re great at trapping larger particles which is especially good for removing strong odors.
- UV filters – Air purifiers with UV lights remove viruses and microbes. UV filters can be applied to the air handler and around the coil.
- Electrostatic charged filters – These filters cause the particles in the air to become charged. The particles are then caught by the air purifier on a plate that can be washed and used repeatedly.
FAQ
Most air purifiers have a prefilter that can be easily washed. It’s a good idea to wash the filter regularly to ensure that the machine can continue working properly. Over time, you’ll also need to have the filter cartridges replaced.
Air purifiers work to remove or capture particles that cause pollution within the air. Humidifiers work in a very different way by putting more water into the air. As a result, the humidity in your home is increased.
This can be a good way to help with respiratory issues. Having more moisture in the air means less irritation for your throat. As a result, those with asthma or who are prone to coughing can be more comfortable.
Most air purifiers, whether they’re ionic or have HEPA filters, are considered to be safe machines to use in your home.
There’s a common misconception with air purifiers being mistaken for ozone generators. Air purifiers with HEPA filters capture pollutant particles. However, air purifiers that are ionic produce some ozone because they release charged particles into the air.
The ozone that is produced may not be at high levels, but it’s still a factor to keep in consideration.
When ozone emissions are released, it can be fantastic for eliminating odors that are strong, such as smoke. Although, air purifiers that release large quantities of ozone can cause damage to the lungs and make the condition of asthmatics worse.
3 Tips to Consider
- After between 12 and 18 months, it’s likely that your air purifier will need to be replaced. Therefore, you’ll want to have a good service plan after the sale to make sure repairs and replacements are hassle-free.
- The noise level is a big factor to consider. There are some very noisy air purifiers that can become a nuisance. So, be sure to find out how noisy an air purifier is before you use it at home to avoid any bad surprises.
- You’ll want to have your air purifier set up in a room where you spend a lot of your time. It’s common for air purifiers to be set up in living rooms or bedrooms.
