Wondering if you need an air purifier or not? We will discuss everything you need to know in this article to help you make the best decision. Usually, allergy sufferers, pet owners, and smokers look for air purifiers. Even if you are not one of them, reading this blog can be beneficial.
The air we breathe is filled with a lot of dangerous particles. Some of these may not have negative consequences for weeks, months, or even years. If you don’t have allergies or respiratory issues, you might not notice it straight away, whereas someone with allergies will start sneezing right away.
Common causes of air pollution
Indoor air pollution is caused by a variety of sources in and around your home. Cleaning products, candles, carpets, rugs, and flooring can all emit benzene and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
If you have pets, they can spread common allergens such as dander and bring in pollen from outside. Other common allergy risk factors found in the air include dust, bacteria, and mold spores.
These common sources of air pollution are caught and stored by air purifiers in a single room.
When it comes to finding the best air purifier for your requirements, there are some factors to consider that will help you in making your decision.
1. Allergies;
Why suffer from allergies when buying the solution is so easy? Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen are some of the most widespread allergens that air purifiers are made to filter out. No matter how perfectly you clean your home, a HEPA filter will always do a better job removing 99.97% of the particles 0.3 microns in diameter. The air purifier needs to be on your “Wishlist” specifically made to combat allergies.
2. Flu Season;
A good air purifier might be extremely beneficial if you are prone to colds and the flu. Some of the purifiers are made to clean the air from bacteria. They can considerably enhance your quality of life during the upcoming winter.
3. Having pets;
No matter how tidy your pet appears, pet dander is still in the air. One of the most common allergies is pet dander. Children are more susceptible than adults to pet dander. Pet dander can be harmful to you even if you don’t have children or allergies. All of the issues can be resolved with an air purifier. You can enjoy the fresh air while playing with your pet without worrying about any negative effects.
4. Respiratory Problems;
People with asthma and other respiratory conditions need to be extremely cautious about particular allergens. Having an air purifier is very helpful to maintain allergen-free air. As someone who has asthma, it can help you reduce the number of attacks.
5. Living with a smoker;
Cigarette smoke can significantly harm you, including secondhand smoke. Breathing in secondhand smoke can be even riskier than smoking itself. Investing in an air purifier can considerably improve the quality of air in your place. Air purifiers created for reducing the particles can eliminate more than 99% of the smoke.
6. Having children and roommates;
Even if you are the most organized person on the planet, you have no influence over how your children, roommates, or visitors act. An air purifier can filter and eliminate those pollutants if other people aren’t as careful as you are, or if they bring in dust from outside the house.
7. Living on a busy street or around construction;
If you live on a busy street or near construction just closing the windows may not be enough, dust can get through the cracks. The air conditioner and air purifier can help you filter dirt that comes from the outside. Living around construction long term can be dangerous for your health. Purchasing an air purifier can help you protect yourself, especially if you are having a renovation at your place.
8. You Are Odor-Sensitive;
An air purifier can make your life easier if you are sensitive to smells from the kitchen that frequently becomes unpleasant.
9. You love having big carpets;
No matter how well you clean your carpets, it is never perfectly clean. It can cause a bad smell. An air purifier can help you solve that problem.
10. You have a fireplace or wood stove.
Wood smoke pollutants substantially damage indoor air quality and can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Here’s a list of some other conditions when you need an air purifier.
- You have a home office.
- You live in an agricultural area.
- You have a new baby or are pregnant.
- You’re over the age of 60.
- You have a garden, lawn, or trees.
- You’re moving into a new home.
- Your building has odor problems.
- You have a home office.
Choosing the right air purifier for your place is very important. We’ll explain all the different types of air purifiers to help you make the best decision.
Air purifiers come in a variety of types, including HEPA and ionic units. You should pick a model that is suggested for the size of the room where it will be used.
HEPA Air Purifier
HEPA air purifiers have exceptionally thick filters that can collect up to 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns and remove them from the air. High-efficiency particulate air is known by the abbreviation HEPA. True HEPA filter needs to follow the US Department of Energy’s minimum filtering standards. Some filters may only be identified as HEPA and not as “true” HEPA. While some HEPA filters might not match the same standards, they might still be suitable for most applications. Purifiers with a HEPA filter may be most helpful for people who have severe allergic reactions since they effectively filter out the mold, pollen, dust, dander, and pet hair.
Activated Carbon and Activated Charcoal Air Purifiers
Activated carbon air purifiers and activated charcoal air purifiers eliminate various types of odor-causing particles from the air, like pet odors and tobacco smoke. You need to change the filter on this purifier regularly, to keep your home odor-free. While activated carbon and activated charcoal air purifiers are excellent at removing odors, certain models are less successful at doing the same for bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew.
UV Air Purifiers
UV (ultraviolet) air purifiers use UV-C light, a subtype of ultraviolet light, to eliminate a variety of microorganisms, including mold, bacteria, and viruses. UV (ultraviolet) air purifiers use UV-C light, a subtype of ultraviolet light, to eliminate a variety of microorganisms, including mold, bacteria, and viruses. In medical facilities, UV-C technology is frequently utilized to remove microorganisms. Some use UV technology alone, which may not be as effective at eliminating odors as some other air-purification technologies. You can combine UV technology with activated carbon or HEPA filtration for increased efficacy.
Electrostatic Air Purifiers
Electrostatic air purifiers employ static electricity to attract allergens and other odor-causing particles in the air to a detachable collection plate. The benefit of this kind of purifier is that it doesn’t need a filter, however, some models do feature an optional, replaceable filter. Some electrostatic air purifiers are less efficient in terms of removing microorganisms from the air compared to other types of purifiers.
Ionic Air Purifiers
There are two types of ionic air purifiers: filterless versions and those that need filters. Negatively charged ions are produced by filterless air purifiers using electricity, which makes irritants connect and become too heavy to remain floating in the air. Some filterless models may not have fans, thus they run quietly. Other ionic purifiers get their name from the fact that they employ a typical filtering system that has been strengthened by ionic-clumping technology. Some ionic air purifiers could be less effective than others at removing viruses from the air.
What to consider before buying an air purifier:
1. Filters should be changed (or cleaned) on average every six to twelve months for pleated filters and every three months for activated carbon filters. The majority of the devices have an indicator light that lets you know when the filter needs to be changed or cleaned.
2. There are several labels on the packaging that you need to pay attention to. The Energy Star logo is the first one. Air purifiers must run around an hour to be effective, you should take into consideration the energy cost when shopping for air purifiers because they need to operate constantly to be effective. Purifiers with the Energy Star certification use 40% less energy than comparable models.
3. If an air purifier contains the AHAM Verifide seal, you can be confident that it can handle the recommended room size mentioned on the mark. Most models designed for large rooms (350 square feet and up) can also be used in smaller rooms at lower speeds. Lower speeds are generally quieter, which is ideal for watching TV or sleeping.
4. Consider not only how well an air purifier works, but also how well you will be able to live with it. Because these devices should always be operating, they should ideally be quiet as well. (A noise rating of around 50 decibels is roughly equivalent to the hum of a refrigerator.) Before purchasing a model, you may be able to find its noise levels on its packaging or website.
5. Identify the kinds of filters you need. While a purifier with a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter will provide the best results, you can likely save money if you don’t require an activated carbon filter or a pre-filter. A pre-filter is crucial for larger pollutants such as pet hair and helps to extend the life of your HEPA filter, while an activated carbon filter is necessary for gasses, VOCs, odors, and such. If you’re renovating or live in an area where forest fire smoke is a major concern, invest in activated carbon.
How to Maximize the Performance of Your Air Purifier
1. Replace or clean filters regularly. A dirty filter prevents an air purifier from operating efficiently. Filters should be replaced (or vacuumed) every six to twelve months for pleated filters and every three months for activated carbon filters.
2. Place it carefully. If you only have one device, place it in the room where you typically spend the most time. Because some units are heavy to move, you may want to buy one for each room if you want an air purifier in each. Place the air purifier in a location where nothing can block airflow, such as away from curtains.
3. Control the speed. To avoid loud noise run the unit at high speed when you’re not in the room and lower it when you’re nearby. Alternatively, purchase an air purifier that is certified for a wider area so that you can run it at a low speed while still obtaining effective results.
Bottom line
It is all about finding balance when purchasing an air purifier. These devices can help maximize the air quality in your home but don’t rely solely on them. And don’t assume them to do anything other than what they’re created to do. They can filter dander, dust, smoke, and pollen, but they can’t clean your rugs.
Countless people live without air purifiers and experience no problems. However, you should pay special attention to the air quality. If you have the opportunity to buy a good air purifier, we would recommend that you do so.
