What is an air purifier and how do I choose the best?
Have you ever wondered why air purifiers are becoming so popular these days? A quick search will show you hundreds of articles that swear by this contraption.
But do they really work?
Are you looking for clean air to breathe?
Air purifiers, also known as air cleaners, are one of the most marketed household products in the world today. They claim to “cleanse” the air around you, providing you with clean and pollutant-free air to breathe.
Most of the time, advertisements overhype a products’ uses, and when you buy them, you end up getting disappointed. That is not true in the case of air purifiers. Most high-quality air purifiers do what they are advertised to do!
What is an air purifier?
First, you need to understand what an air purifier is.
An air purifier is an electronic device that can remove the contaminants, such as dust, pollen, smoke from cigarettes, pet dander, etc., from the air in an enclosed space. Thus, this device is ideal for people prone to illnesses like asthma or breathing problems and people with allergies.
Are all air purifiers worth it?
Today, there are hundreds of air purifiers in the market, and the number of companies manufacturing them has steadily risen in the past decade or so.
But you need to understand that only a specific kind of air purifier is helpful – the others are just a sham or work in limited conditions that cannot always be met.
Air purifiers known as HEPA purifiers (High Energy Particle Air Purifiers) are the best and remove most major contaminants from the air. True HEPA air cleaners are undoubtedly costly, but they are the best air purifiers available on the market, and they are worth every penny you spend.
These HEPA purifiers are proven to remove contaminants that are larger than 0.3 microns from the air, with an almost perfect success rate of 99.9 percent.
Air contaminants larger than 0.3 microns are:
- asbestos
- pollen
- dust
- pet dander
- cigarette smoke
So, for people with allergies or breathing disorders, the contaminants mentioned above can be hazardous, resulting in reactions, diseases, or in some instances, may even be fatal!
So how do I choose an air cleaner?
Even if air purifiers can cost a lot and use up a lot of electricity, the cost can be worth to your health!
The thing is, choosing the best air purifier for your household or office is a daunting task.
Purchasing an air cleaner is a one-time investment and can go wrong if you do not know what to look for.
Do not get confused by the sales jargon! Here are my top tips for choosing the best air purifier:
Understand Air Cleaning Technologies
Today, there is no single air purifying technology. That is why manufacturers often club different technologies together for the best results.
For example, True HEPA filters are useful for getting rid of micro particles but do nothing for bad odors. In this case, you must understand the different technologies and choose a product that provides you with multiple results.
Size of The Room
Air purifiers work over a particular area. Make sure you buy an air purifier that is capable of covering the area that is slightly bigger than the area you want to install it in.
CADR – Clean Air Delivery Rate
This rate is a scale of how efficient the air purifier is in reducing pollen particles, smoke, and dust. The higher the CADR, the faster is the speed of the purifier.
Cost
Cost is one of the most critical factors. Compare the cost of different purifiers online as well as offline. Apart from the purchase cost, there’s also the cost of maintaining the purifier by changing its filters. Also, remember that you will need electricity to run the cleaner, adding even more to the price.
Maintenance
Apart from the replacement of the filter, certain purifiers require monthly cleaning by hand. If you do not want to increase your chores, you may want to invest in a maintenance-free unit.
Noise
Air purifiers are not noise-free –some air purifiers are actually extremely loud! The faster the fan speed, the louder the noise it makes.
Your Needs
Along with purifying function, you need to keep in mind the space the purifier will occupy and the aesthetic it will add to your room. That said, don’t invest in a fancy-looking air purifier that doesn’t do its job efficiently!
So, here you have it, seven things you should keep in mind while buying an air purifier!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
