Air Purifiers Buyers Guide

Information on Air Purifiers and How To Buy the Best Air Purifiers.

With concerns about the effects that air pollutants have on our health, it’s no surprise that more and more people are turning to air purifiers as a way of making sure the air they breathe is as clean as it can be. Whether you buy an air purifying system for the whole home, or even just for one room, the health benefits offered are considerable – Air purifiers are proven to ease symptoms from both allergies and asthma. Read on to discover what you need to look for when purchasing an air purifier.

Air Purifiers Guide - Table of Contents

• 1 Air Purifiers Product Types
  • 1.1 Room Air Purifiers
  • 1.2 Whole House Air Purifiers
• 2 Air Purifiers Key Features
• 3 Air Purifiers Product Advice
• 4 Air Purifiers Buying Tips
• 5 Popular Air Purifiers Brands
• 6 Air Purifiers Glossary

When it comes to air purification, there are two basic models to choose from. Cheaper room air purifiers are very popular and offer mobility, as they can be moved to different rooms in the house. Meanwhile, whole house air purification systems are much more expensive, yet provide clean air for the whole family.

Room Air Purifiers

The only viable option for anyone on a small budget, room air purifiers are much less expensive than whole house purifiers. Generally, these air purifiers will weigh anything from 10-20 kgs, coming with either a handle so they can be lifted around the house or wheels if it is a heavier model. Most room air purifiers contain something called a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which is able to capture small air particles, filtering the air you breathe.

HEPA filters need replacing on average after about one year, and these replacement filters can be quite costly, sometimes approaching the cost of the air purifier itself. There are some models that come with HEPA filter that can be cleaned, but these are usually more expensive. Note that some room models (usually air purifiers that use ionizer technology or electronic precipitators) can produce ozone as a by-product, which is a lung irritant itself. Beware also that some models can soil walls they are stood next to, as they will deposit particles on them.

Whole House Air Purifiers

These are a much more efficient choice for anyone who wants to purify the air throughout their home. Whole house air purifiers are either built into existing air conditioning, or else ductwork will need to be constructed, so they can be quite expensive. They will also need to be wired up to the house’s electrics.

Most whole house air purifiers do a great job of purifying the air in a house, removing a higher percentage of smoke and dust particles than the average room model can achieve. However, it’s worth noting that like some room air purifiers, whole hose models can also produce dangerous ozone gases, and some can also soil walls.

When buying an air purifier, apart from deciding upon the kind of system you require, you will need to consider a few other things. One of the most important decisions regards the type of technology the purifier uses to filter the air. As well as this, it is important to check the efficiency rating of any model you are considering buying.

Air Purifying Technologies

There are several different technologies employed by air purifier manufacturers. The most common type seen is that of HEPA filters, which are able to remove as much as 99.97% of air particles in a room, including dust, pollen and animal dander.

Many air purifiers actually use a combination of HEPA along with activated carbon in order to remove odours and chemicals from the air as well. Combining these two technologies produces a very effective air filtration system.

Although HEPA air purifiers used with carbon filters are the most common, there are other systems. Some manufactures combine the above two technologies and improve it further with the use of ultraviolet light. When used with HEPA technology, UV light helps to eradicate viruses, bacteria and mold. The downside to these benefits are the added expense involved, yet the combination of HEPA, carbon filters and UV lights is as good a filtration system as you can get.

Some air purifiers will contain pre-filters that are used in conjunction with the above technologies. These pre-filters can extend a HEPA filter’s life, while increasing the overall efficiency of the system by filtering out the largest air particles before they come into contact with the primary filters.

Another kind of technology that is used separately is electronic or electrostatic filtration. These air purifiers employ very low levels of positive and negative-charged particles in order to attract air particles to their filters and collecting plates. For an idea of how they work, imagine that the positively charged air particles enter the air purifier. The collection plate is negatively charged, so the air particles will attract to the plate. Some electrostatic filters work in combination with ionizers as well, but these are usually optional features and not necessary for the process of air filtration. Electrostatic air purifiers are usually a cheaper option than HEPA filters, yet performance is often slightly lower.

One final technology that is used in air purification is known as ozone generation. These air purifiers are not nearly as common, and can actually be quite dangerous. While they remove most air particles from the room, they also produce high levels of ozone gas, which can be an irritant for anyone with asthmatic or breathing problems, and so they are not recommended for most homes.

Air Efficiency Rating

Many air purifiers will be rated for there air efficiency. The CADR (clean air delivery rate) rating measures an air purifier’s efficiency, taking into consideration factors such as room size and cleaning speed. A CADR rating of more than 300 is generally very good, while a rating of lower than 100 is considered to be quite poor, though naturally it is the more expensive models that have higher ratings.