Here’s Everything You Need To Know When Buying An Air Purifier

We spend most of our time inside our home. Hence, it is important to create an air pollution-free environment. Not only will this do wonders at improving your living conditions, but also helps you keep a healthier lifestyle. Your cooling and heating system may have filters, but they are not made to purify indoor air thoroughly. 

Equipping your home with the best air purifier can dramatically improve its air quality, by keeping it clean and fresh with each breath. Nonetheless, with so much to choose from, not to mention all the jargon and acronyms in the industry, choosing the right air purifier can be quite confusing. 

These devices can get rid of numerous airborne irritants such as dust, odors, mold spores, bacteria, pet dander, pollen, toxic fumes, and a lot more. But these particles vary, so they require different approaches. For this reason, we’ve put up an extensive buying guide that explains the basics of an air purifier, including filter types. 

This type of air cleaner is also available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can find a compact air purifier designed for small spaces, and there are large ones that can cover a room for up to 1,900 square feet in size. Likewise, there are essential features to consider to ensure you end up with the best one designed for your home and needs. 

What Can An Air Purifier Do?

As its name implies, an air purifier purifies the air. When you turn the device on, it will purify the air in a room in a continuous cycle by removing allergens and pollutants. It will then push the air that has been filtered back into the room. The entire process is repeated, which makes the air fresher and cleaner with every pass. 

The air quality inside your home is crucial. After all, you spend most of your life inside your house breathing that air. Assuming that pollution is undoubtedly a problem outdoors is easy. However, that outdoor air carrying traces of pollutants like airborne pollen and dust, vehicle exhaust, and smoke can easily enter your home. There are already plenty of pollution sources in your home. Some examples of these are household dust, pet hair, pet dander, volatile organic compounds or VOCs that paint emits, and cigarette smoke.

The chances of these indoor pollutants simply blowing away is slim. Additionally, they tend to build up over time and may likely cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. In most cases, regular mopping and vacuuming your home can address some of these concerns. But using an air purifier, such as those with a 3 stage filtration, can be very beneficial in numerous situations. 

Although air purifiers have the same basic functionality across many brands, their performance varies, and each offers features that are unique to them. When shopping around, you have to consider your budget and other factors at home before deciding which features will work best for the entire family. 

For instance, if you have a baby at home, it just makes sense to opt for a quiet air purifier. As much as you want your little one to breathe clean air, you also want him to be as comfortable as possible.

Why Do I Need An Air Purifier?

Here are the main reasons why you need to equip you home with an  air purifier:

• • Help allergy sufferers. In the US alone, roughly 50 million individuals suffer from respiratory and nasal allergies. Your immune system can weaken because of airborne allergens. Some of the bothersome symptoms these can cause include painful headaches, coughing, eye irritation, and sneezing, to name a few. Getting rid of these particles can help reduce the impact of these, as well as breathing difficulties.
  • Relief from asthma symptoms. The effects of asthma can be mild to severe and may vary from one person to the next. Breathing polluted air is one of the biggest culprits of asthma attacks. Using an air purifier with True HEPA in rooms where you spend most of your time, like your bedroom or living room, can reduce the number of irritants in those areas. The device will clean indoor air, which means that the asthmatic in your family will not experience as many respiratory problems as before.
  • Prevent dust. Dust seems to always buildup on surfaces no matter how many times a week you clean your home. On top of this, dust attracts dust mites as well, which may cause allergies to some people. One of the best ways to prevent these from accumulating is by utilizing an air purifier. It will suck and trap dust and dust mites before they even have a chance to accumulate around your house.
  • You own pets. Having pets around your home is fun. However, it also means that you have to deal with pet hair and dander all the time. A dog going in and out of your house can cause contaminants to spread inside. Moreover, your pet may likely pick up irritants, such as dust and pollen in their skin or coats, and carry them around your home. Another common issue is the accumulation of pet hair on carpets, furniture, and other areas. Thankfully, you can rely on your air purifier to take care of these concerns. 
  • Eliminates mold. One of the most harmful particles to your overall health is mold spores. In fact, a lot of individuals who have been exposed to too much mold, either at work or at home, tend to develop chronic diseases without their knowledge. You can stay healthy by opting for a specific air purifier that can deal with bacteria and mold.
  • There is a smoker in your family. Households with non-smokers and smokers must use an air purifier as it can catch and cycle contaminants, which, in turn, reduces the effect of secondhand smoke. Furthermore, it can help prevent its odor from lingering throughout the home.
  • You have young kids. The immune systems of babies and toddlers have not yet fully developed. Therefore, it is vital that the environment they live in is not polluted and the air they breathe in is high-quality.

  Can Air Purifiers Truly Help?

  Stripping off indoor air with the sources of its pollutants is one of the best ways to improve its quality. Air purifiers can do this as they can reduce pollutant sources and eliminate indoor air contaminants. The result is a healthier living space for everyone. Aside from this, you can even find models with indoor air quality tracking, which can monitor the air conditions and pollutant levels inside your space in real-time.

  

• If you have young children, pets, or there is a smoker in your household, an air purifier is necessary. It is also a good investment if you live near a roadside or construction site. The air cleaner is perfect, especially if you or a family member suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses.Nevertheless, unlike an HVAC system, these devices cannot filter the air of the entire house. They are designed to take care of the air in a single room only. And although they can minimize indoor pollution, they still have some limitations in terms of what they can do.Yes, they can eliminate allergens. But only while these particles are floating in the air. Heavier and large allergens can quickly settle to the ground. Hence, an air purifier will not be able to catch these in time.Dealing with toxic gas like radon is a gray area with these air cleaners as well. There is still not enough research to back up the ability of air purifiers to handle these types of pollutants. So it is not yet clear how effective they truly are. 
  

  Different Types Of Air Purifier Filters And Technologies

  HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter

  This process of air filtering is considered to be the gold standard when it comes to air purification and the most efficient at trapping allergens. A HEPA filter is consists of an extremely impenetrable paper filter that can trap airborne pollutants, such as:

   

  

• • Dust
  • Mold spores
  • Pollen
  • Pet hair
  • Pet dander
  • Fungi
  • Visible smoke

  The market is filled with air purifiers that carry the acronym HEPA, from HEPA-like to HEPA-type. However, the only air purifier you can trust is the one with a True HEPA on its label. This type of filter is the only one certified to remove as much as 99.97% of microscopic pollutants and allergens as small as 0.3 microns in size. Other types are only capable of capturing particles with a size of 2 to 5 microns. That means that their inefficiency is 600% less in comparison to a True HEPA filter.

  When on the market for this type of air purifier, consider these best solid and inexpensive HEPA air purifiers to help narrow down your choices.

• Pros:
• • Highly efficient
  • It will trap particles and ensure they are not released back into the air
  • Safe for all kinds of respiratory illnesses

  Cons:

  • You will need to replace its filter regularly to maintain its efficiency
  • Expensive than other types of air purifier
  • It is not good at eliminating chemical fumes and odors
  • HEPA air purifiers use a fan for pulling in air, so expect them to be a bit louder
  (more…) “Here’s Everything You Need To Know When Buying An Air Purifier”

The Benefits Of Using A HEPA Filter Air Purifier And How It Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

The air in your home contains numerous contaminants, such as dust, pollen, and pet hair. These are especially harmful to those suffering from asthma or allergies since they can aggravate or induce lung-related illnesses. If you or any family member has respiratory problems, it’s a good idea to invest in a HEPA filter air purifier. Doing so can help get rid of the air contaminants in your home. 

This type of air purifier has become popular over the years because of the concerns of homeowners over indoor air quality. A HEPA filter is an indispensable component of an air purifier system that can help improve the overall air quality of your home. 

In today’s article, we’ll take a closer look at the HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air technology. Likewise, we’ll explore how it deals with the different types of pollutants in an indoor environment.

What Makes HEPA Filter Air Purifiers Different From Other Types Of Air Purifiers?

Each air purifier company incorporates their products with a specific air purification technology. These technologies include HEPA, carbon, ionizer, and PECO filtration systems. Some companies also developed their own unique technology. 

Knowing the differences between these filtration systems will ensure that you’ll end up with the best possible air purifier for your home. And if you’ve been shopping around for one, you’ll most likely come across the term HEPA filter.

As mentioned, HEPA is the acronym for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. An air purifier with a HEPA filter uses a fibrous filter that can trap very fine particles. The filtration system was created when the atomic bomb was being developed to help prevent the spread of tiny airborne radioactive particles.

Today, it plays a significant role in air purifiers used in homes as it filters harmful particles that are linked to respiratory illnesses, cancer, and heart disease. These include, smoke, air pollution, molds, pollen, dust, and pet hairs. Moreover, HEPA filters can remove large particles almost perfectly. But as efficient as HEPA filter air purifiers are, they can’t filter out odors, gases, chemicals, and other toxic modern-day pollutants.

Does An Air Purifier Make Indoor Air Dry?

The pollutants present in the air from cooking and smoking to chemicals and traffic are constantly increasing. Hence, it is vital to ensure the air in your home is clean if you want to protect the health of the entire family. 

The causes of our planet’s pollution are endless. For this reason, most homeowners are taking significant steps to ensure the air in their home is healthy and safe by using air purifiers. 

There is no doubt that an air purifier offers plenty of benefits to your health. However, one of the most common questions on people’s minds is whether an air purifier dries out the air or not. 

This article answers that question. Additionally, we’ll provide you with essential information about air purifiers to help you better understand how these devices work. 

Will An Air Purifier Dry Out Or Take The Moisture Out Of The Air?

The short answer to this is no. Unlike dehumidifiers, an air purifier does not take out the moisture from the air. This device works by trapping dust, mold, mites, pet dander, and other air pollutant particles. 

It draws in the air in your home, filters and eliminates every harmful particle present, and disperses it with the help of ionizers or a fan. Moreover, it will not alter the air’s humidity level at all. Watch this impressive video to learn more about the airflow technology of air purifiers. 

For the air to dry out, a device would need to get rid of the air’s moisture. It does this by driving the air within the unit. Then, it will transfer it into a rotator or a cold evaporator coil, causing the air to cool beneath its dew point before dispersing it back into the environment. 

Most air purifiers available on the market will not reduce the moisture from the air. Nevertheless, there are those with a dehumidifier or humidifier feature that can impact its humidity level. Still, the majority of air purifiers you can find will not include this feature since their main purpose is to clean and improve indoor air.

If you’re using a dehumidifier in a room for longer periods, it may cause the air in your home’s atmosphere to dry out. As a result, you may experience several health concerns like the drying of your throat, nose, and skin. That’s why air quality monitoring and opting for a unit that can detect humidity level is essential.

An air conditioner is another device that can dry out the air and remove its moisture. Keep in mind that cold indoor air means low humidity level. The reason for this is because cold air can’t retain moisture. 

Still, using an air purifier does not mean that the humidity level in your home is going to be stable. Humidity can change depending on the weather and environment. 

How to Easily Monitor Air Quality

With so many health issues going on, it’s understandable why many people are more conscious about the air they breathe. Air is life, but it can also destroy the life it supports if it is polluted. Keeping yourself informed about air quality is one effective way to protect your health and also helps the community in many ways.

Air Pollution: How Bad Is It?

The problem with air pollution is that because it’s invisible, many people just shrug it off until they get sick. It’s difficult to determine which place is safe since many toxic pollutants are colorless and continue to linger in the air for quite some time. Without using any tool, you will find yourself in danger of getting exposed to harmful elements that can get inside your body.

Here is how small the particulates in the air are measured in microns (µ):

• 90µ – Fine beach sand
• 50-70µ – Human Hair
• < 10µ – Dust, pollen, mold spores
• 5µ or smaller – Combustion particles (e.g., vehicle emissions), organic compounds (VOC) like Carbon Monoxide (CO), CO2, and metals.

The most dangerous of all the pollutants listed above are those particles that measure 2.5 µ (microns) or smaller as they can reach into your lungs and bloodstream. When they enter your body, it can bring serious health problems like stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease.

Using Apps to Monitor Air Quality

In this digital age, monitoring air quality is easier through mobile apps. Most of these popular apps can give you information on the latest pollution levels in different places. It can also predict how worse the pollution level will get and what time it will peak. Some apps also show the latest health advisories from reliable sources. The best part is many air pollution monitoring apps are free to download from Google Play and Apple Store.

There are many free apps that you can try depending on which city you are in. Most of these apps are reliable and very user-friendly even for kids.

Improve Indoor Quality Using Air Purifier

Monitoring air quality tells you what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones from air pollution. Improving the indoor air quality in your home and office is possible using an air purifier. Air purifiers use various kinds and layers of filtration systems to effectively remove the contaminants from the air. Some filters are so powerful that they can trap even the smallest pollutant in the air, including smoke and odor.

Modern models of air purifier also have ultraviolet lights which claim to kill germs. A combination of HEPA filters plus charcoal-based activated carbon filters can effectively remove air pollutants and pesky smells.