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As technology improves year by year, the price for existing technologies becomes more affordable. If you’re thinking you don’t need an air purifier, then think again. In the past air purifiers used to be considered a luxury to own. However, they’ve reached the pricing range where they are much more affordable and the benefits of owning one outweighs the cost.
An air purifier is a device which is used to clean the air in the room by removing contaminants and particulate matter present in the air. This can be very beneficial for people who suffer from either asthma or allergies.
There are about 10 different types of air purifying technologies on the market. We will be looking into the 4 most common types of air purifier technologies and the advantages and disadvantages of each type of technology brings. These air purifying technologies are:
HEPA air purifiers are by far the most popular and favored technology as it does not produce ozone as a by-product. HEPA purifiers make use of filtering technology to remove particulate matter (PM) from the air. The HEPA air purifier is the best all-round purifier yet it has some disadvantages, namely, it can’t trap particles smaller than 0.3 microns. Which means it is unable to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs), viruses and bacteria. As a by-product of this mold can also grow on your HEPA filters. Which means you constantly have to clean and replace the filters.
Ionic air filters work by ionizing two plates in the air purifier, once the air passes through the ionic purifier the matter sticks to the ionized plates. The advantage of ionic air purifiers is that they don’t require any filter replacements, however, you are required to remove and clean the ionizing plates every so often. The disadvantage of ionic air purifiers is that ozone is created as a by-product. So, should you be looking to buy an ionic air purifier then be sure to check that the amount of ozone produced is less than 0.05 PPM (Parts per Million) for health issues.
Activated carbon air purifiers work by making use of very porous carbon for the filtering process. This means that activated carbon filters are able to absorb VOCs, chemicals and gaseous pollutants which makes them great for people with asthma. However, they’re unable to remove larger particles from the air such as dust and dust mites. The main disadvantage of this type of filter is that the carbon filters are required to be replaced once they become saturated and this can happen.
UV air purifiers work by taking in air and running it through UV light in order to kill microscopic contaminants. UV purifiers work best against bacteria, viruses and mold. The disadvantage of UV filters is that they’re unable to remove dust, allergens, VOCs and cigarette smoke.
Air purifiers work by removing pollutants from the air and this can be beneficial to our health, so let’s take a look at some of these benefits.
A large portion of indoor air pollution consists of dust, pollen and bacteria. By eliminating these from the air you are helping your skin. Air purifiers help reduce acne, eczema and skin allergies. On top of this they help remove mold-spores, lingering odors, and bacteria brought in by pets or people.
There are no rules to where you should place an air purifier. However, the best location to put one is closest to the source of a contamination, this will allow the air purifier to trap contaminants faster. The air purifier should also be a few feet away from any objects which could obstruct the flow of air, for example in a corner or under shelves.
Air purifiers work best with windows and doors shut. This may seem to be counter-intuitive, the reason for this is to allow the purifier to fully clean a room. If you leave a door open, there will constantly be an influx of particulate matter, dust and pollen.
When looking to buy an air purifier it’s recommended that you purchase one which allows you to turn on and off ionization technology. Another tip is to purchase an air purifier which was designed for people with asthma, this ensures that you’re buying a safe and effective air purifier. There is a lot more to air purification and air filtration systems so be sure to check out our indoor air quality page for an in-depth look at all the contaminants which could be lurking in your home or contact one of our Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric specialists to assist you in making the decision.
