Air Purifiers

Air pollution is generally thought of as being confined to the great outdoors. Indoor air, however, may contain more contaminants than you think. Fungus, mold, dust and even bacteria can thrive inside your house under the right conditions, causing everything from sneezing to runny noses to illness. Asthma and allergy sufferers may be particularly sensitive to the irritants found in indoor air. Unless the distinctly musty odor of mold is present, you may not even realize that a number of irritating pollutants have made their way into your home. Fortunately, air purifiers can go a long way toward getting rid of these pesky irritants, and many of them can do so quickly and quietly. There are a number of different types of purifiers available, including ionic, UV and activated carbon filters, so keep the following questions in mind to learn more about the options available to you:

 

• What types of contaminants can purifiers remove?
• What different types of purifiers are available?
• What steps need to be taken to properly maintain them?
• What qualities are used to define a purifier’s performance?
• What special features would you like to have?
  
  

Indoor Pollutants, Purifier Types, Placement and Performance

When choosing an air purifier, one of the most important aspects to consider is the size of the room you’re attempting to purify. If the unit cannot handle a room of that size, you’ll experience only a minor improvement in air quality. Maintaining your purifier and changing the filter regularly is absolutely crucial to ensuring proper operation. Air purifiers are available in a wide range of prices depending upon the technology they utilize and the number of features they have. Generally speaking, units with more advanced features will carry a higher price tag, but the added functionality and performance can be of great benefit to those who suffer from allergies or other respiratory ailments.

Indoor Pollutants: Though modern home-sealing materials, such as insulation, molding and weather stripping, greatly improve energy efficiency, they also make it easier for indoor pollutants to stick around inside your house. Air purifiers can help alleviate this problem, but before you select the weapon with which you’ll combat pollutants, it’s important to know what it is you’re up against so you can choose wisely. Pollutants can range from irritating, as in the case of dust, to harmful, as in the case of bacteria and viruses. No matter how clean and tidy you keep your home, you won’t be able to stop all pollutants from making their way in. Dust and pollen can enter through open windows or on people’s clothes and hair, pets constantly produce dander and mold, and fungus can grow on carpets or in HVAC ducts if you experience long stretches of humid weather.

 

• Tobacco smoke can create odors that linger even after people are done smoking
• Indoor pollutants can cause irritation to skin, eyes and lungs
• Allergies may be exacerbated by mold, fungus, pollen and pet dander
• Bacteria and viruses can cause various illnesses
  
  

Purifier Types: There are a number of different purifiers you can choose to protect your home, some of them better at removing certain pollutants than others. In some cases, the pollutants you need to remove will be obvious. Tobacco smoke and mold may create a distinct odor, and you’re bound to have dander if you have pets. You may not notice others, such as bacteria and viruses, until someone in your house becomes sick. As a result, you may want to consider purchasing different types of purifiers or a unit that combines multiple technologies to combat a wider range of pollutants. If you choose a purifier that uses a filter, look for one that contains a washable filter, as this will save you the cost of having to constantly buy replacement filters. Consult the chart below to learn more about the different purifier technologies available.

 

Purifier Type	Effective Against	Points to Consider
Activated Carbon Filter	Fumes Gases Odors Smoke	Removes odors and unpleasant smells Filter will need to be changed when full Not effective against dust, allergens or microorganisms
Electrostatic	Particulates Some odors Some gases Allergens	Collection plates must be cleaned regularly Requires electricity to operate Available in both portable and whole-house configurations Not effective against bacteria and viruses
HEPA Filter	Hair Dust Particulates Pollen Spores Mold Some bacteria	HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation” Removes 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger in size Filter must be replaced every 12-18 months May be more expensive to maintain Not effective against gases, odors or viruses
Ionic	Particulates Some viruses Bacteria Smoke	Causes particles to clump together and fall to the ground Fallen particles may make floors and walls dirty Removes extremely small particles Doesn’t use a filter and has no fan, making operation quieter Not effective against fungus, germs or some viruses
UV	Microorganisms Viruses Bacteria Pathogens Mold Organic gases	Bulb must be replaced annually Bulb should be cleaned periodically, as per manufacturer’s instructions The longer pollutants are exposed to light, the more effective it is Not effective against particulates, gases or odors

Placement and Performance: Once you’ve selected the right purifier, or combination of purifiers, for your needs, it’s time to decide where to place it. Most air purifiers are designed to cover a certain amount of square footage, but doors, walls and other obstructions can prevent them from covering the full area. Avoid placing a purifier in a room that’s too large for it to fully cover, as its effectiveness will be greatly reduced. Some devices, such as UV purifiers, are installed directly into your HVAC system. To improve effectiveness and extend filter life, look for purifiers with prefilters that trap large particles, such as pet hair, before air gets to the main filter. This feature is particularly useful in devices that utilize expensive HEPA filters, as it prevents them from wearing out as quickly. To ensure quality, look for purifiers that have been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, an independent safety testing and certification organization.

 

• You may need an air purifier for each room that you spend time in
• Move purifiers from room to room to help cleanse the air while you’re in them
• Casters and handles make it easier to move portable units around
• Some units can be noisy, so you may want to avoid using them in a bedroom at night
• Filters with larger surface areas are more effective than smaller ones
• Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, indicates how many cubic feet of air a purifier cleans per minute
• The more air changes per hour a machine provides, the higher the quality of air it creates
  
  

Features

Multispeed Fan: Units with multispeed fans allow you to increase or decrease the speed at which they operate, helping to provide the proper number of air changes per hour in different-sized rooms.

Quiet Operation: While some people enjoy the white noise provided by the constant hum of an air purifier, others prefer the room to be as silent as possible. If you plan to use the purifier in your bedroom at night or wish to be completely unaware of your air purifier when it is running, look for a unit designed to operate quietly.

Automatic Timer: Timers allow you to set up your purifier to turn on and off even when you’re not home or asleep, helping you to keep air quality constant.

Filter Change Indicator Light: Chances are that you’ve got more than enough to keep track of in your life without having to make a note of when to change the filter. Purifiers with an indicator light let you know when it’s time, helping you to keep your machine running at maximum effectiveness.

Personal Air Purifiers: If you’re moving around a lot and don’t want to hassle with moving a purifying unit from room to room, look for a personal air purifier that you can hang around your neck. These battery-operated devices provide purification in your personal breathing space for a specified number of hours. They are ideal for use while traveling or at the office.