You might be considering buying an air purifier. That's a great idea! They can do a lot to improve the air quality in your home. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Don't worry, we're here to help. In this article, we'll walk you through the basics of choosing an air purifier. We'll talk about the different types of air purifiers and what to look for in each one. We'll also give you some tips on how to choose the right size and model for your needs.
By the end of this article, you'll be ready to choose the perfect air purifier for your home.
The Importance of an Air Purifier
You may not think that you need an air purifier, but the reality is that they're becoming more and more popular for a reason. Indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and that can have some serious health implications.
An air purifier can help to improve your indoor air quality by trapping pollutants and allergens in the filter. This can help to alleviate asthma or allergy symptoms, improve your sleep quality and reduce your stress levels.
When shopping for an air purifier, there are a few things to consider. First, you need to decide what type of filter you want. The most common types are activated carbon filters, HEPA filters, and ozone generators.
Then you need to decide how large of a unit you need. You'll also want to consider the noise level and how often the filter will need to be replaced.
Understand Your Needs
Before you start shopping for an air purifier, you need to ask yourself some questions:
- What are the specific problems that you're trying to address?
- How big is the room or rooms that you want to purify?
- What type of air purifier do you want?
- How much are you willing to spend?
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can start narrowing down your choices.
Types of Air Purifiers
There are several types of air purifiers on the market, so it's important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.
The most common type of air purifier is an activated carbon filter. These filters use activated carbon to trap harmful particles like smoke, pollen, and pet dander.
If you're allergy-prone or have asthma, you may want to consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke.
Another option is an ozone generator. These purifiers use ozone gas to kill bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. However, ozone generators should not be used in homes with pets or people with asthma or allergies. It is also controversial whether they offer any great benefits, and ozone, if it exceeds some concentration limit, can also be harmful to your health.
The Right Size and Coverage
When you’re trying to find the right air purifier, size, and coverage are two important factors to consider. You may think “the bigger, the better” but that’s not necessarily true.
Ideally, you want to find an air purifier that can cover all of the areas you want it to but without taking up too much space. This means looking for one with a decent coverage area, but also a compact size so it doesn't get in your way or take up valuable real estate on your floor.
It's also important to look at the type of filters that are used in the air purifier. Most air purifiers will use some combination of HEPA, carbon, and other filters. Depending on your allergies and sensitivities, you may need to find one with a more specialized filter – such as an Ultra-HEPA filter – that can trap even smaller particles.
Easy to Use and Maintain
When searching for the perfect air purifier for your particular situation, you’ll want to make sure that it’s not just effective, but also easy to use and maintain. After all, if it takes a lot of time and effort to control, chances are you won’t be as motivated to consistently run it – which would defeat the purpose.
Look for features like auto shutoff, so the unit will turn off when a desired level of cleanliness is achieved. Additionally, check to see if there are user-friendly indicators like lights or alarms to indicate filter changes or other maintenance needs.
Many units also come with remote controls and even mobile apps that can help you easily adjust and monitor your air purifier from anywhere in your house.
You might even find a model that has pre-programmed settings tailored to pet allergies or seasonal irritants – which could make it easier for you to keep up with changing air quality conditions at home.
Long-Term Cost Savings
When considering which air purifier to buy, it's important to factor in the long-term cost savings that you can realize. While air purifiers come with their upfront pricing, over the course of time they can really pay for themselves.
For example, machines with filters made of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) materials work by trapping up to 99.97% of pollen and dust circulating in the air. This ensures cleaner air over a longer period of time and allows your HVAC system to operate more efficiently – which may result in lower utility bills.
Additionally, HEPA filters are washable and reusable, meaning you don’t have to buy new filters all the time – an important benefit for those on a budget. So look for an air purifier that offers this kind of filter and you'll be sure to make a great long-term investment!
Conclusion
When looking for an air purifier, it's important to consider the size of the unit, the type of filter, and the noise level. It's also important to decide which rooms you want to purify and to check the manufacturer's warranty and customer service policies.
Finally, it's important to read reviews of the air purifier before making a purchase to make sure you're getting the best product for your needs.
Further Reading:
Get Rid of Air Pollution in Your Home With House Plants