A quality air purifier is a small investment for such an important factor in our lives. A man without air can do a few minutes, without water for a few days, and without food for a few weeks. So, if you are not sure which air purifier you want to buy and which things to pay attention to before buying, do not worry you are in the right place.
Why is it important to choose a quality air purifier? High-quality air purifiers can purify at least 99% of all air pollutants that would otherwise reach the lungs. Others might help you, but they would not be efficient enough.
One of the very important questions is why you need an air purifier. Do they live in a place where the air is constantly polluted? Or maybe you want the best possible air quality for your family? Are you arranging the space where you live and want to get rid of dust or fumes from paints and varnishes? Do you want to sterilize your home by killing viruses and bacteria? Want to get rid of smoke or unpleasant odors?
Not all air purifiers are designed to filter all types of pollutants. Determining the type of problem you want to solve in your home is directly related to choosing which air purifier you need.
Types of air purifiers
The variety of choices may seem overwhelming. However, there are four basic types of air filtration technology used by air purifiers. All four of them are designed for different types of indoor air pollution.
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air – HEPA filtration
This air purification process is considered the gold standard for air purification. It consists of a very thick paper filter that filters polluting particles. The holes on paper filters are so thin that they don’t allow larger particles to pass.
The important thing with buying HEPA filters is to look for the label “True HEPA Filter.” Several types of filters use the HEPA acronym, but only one has an actual certification that you can trust. The true HEPA filter is certified to remove 99.97% of all microscopic particles up to 0.3 microns in size. Other filter types that use the term “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-like” are inferior and can remove cell particles up to 2.5 microns.
The HEPA air purifiers can remove pollutants such as pollen, mold, spores, dust, microbes, pet dandruff, hair, mold spores, and smoke.
One of the advantages is high- efficiency because retains particles and does not release them back into the air. The main disadvantage is it does not remove odors and chemical fumes.
2. Carbon filter
Very small absorbent pores are the main characteristic of this type of filter. They also include activated carbon that consists of millions of pores. These pores create a large surface that is great for filtering vapors, gases, and unpleasant odors.
Choose this type of filter only if you are sensitive to poor air quality, and you need the best air. Also, if you have health problems as a result of poor air, this air purifier is the best for you. The carbon filter is good for children, the aged, asthmatics, etc.
Although they are very effective for bad smells and chemicals, they are still not suitable for removing particles. And that is why manufacturers usually decide to combine this filter with HEPA filters. Namely, the combination of these two filters may be a winning combination.
The combination of these two filters can remove pollutants such as chemical and gaseous fumes, unpleasant odors, painting, and cleaning smells.
3. Ionic Filtration
This type of air purification technology works by emitting a cloud of charged ions into the air that binds to air pollutants. Some ionic air purifiers contain electrostatic plates that attract fallen particles and remove them from the room. The process can remove extra small particles up to 0.01 microns in size.
This type of technology can remove pollutants such as dust, pollen, mold spores, fungi, volatile organic compounds, some types of viruses and bacteria, visible smoke.
It may not seem at first that you should take this into account when choosing your model, but know that the air purifier should be on all day. To evaluate not only how well it works but also whether you can live with it.
4. Ultraviolet (UV) Light and Ozonizeser
The basic working principle is the following: UV light is inside the air purifier and is not released into the room. Unlike the other three listed, this technology emits invisible light that attacks pollutants as opposed to passing through a filter.
An air purifier with this technology uses the UV-C range of the Ultraviolet spectrum. There are studies that show UV light in this technology is environment-friendly. This range is completely safe for humans and does not cause any side effects.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light is very successful in removing pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, microbes. It kills their DNK.
Advantages: Ultraviolet light lasts for thousands of hours and rarely needs replacement, creates a sterile environment, reduces the number of germs in the room that is responsible for the disease
Because it is the only good thing in killing viruses and bacteria, and germs it is good with combinations with HEPA or an ionic air purifier.
Ozonizeser air purifiers emit ozone. Many ozonizer manufacturers assure users that their use is very safe and effective. Not everyone would agree with that. According to some studies, ozone can worsen asthma and bronchitis. It is still a question to be asked and tested.
