October 20, 2020 (pr)

If you live in areas with high levels of pollution, an air purifier is one of the most important appliances you should have in your home. It is also useful for people who have pets or those who suffer from asthma or different forms of allergies.  

Air purifiers are very effective in removing contaminants, allergens and other pollutants such as dust, pollen, chemicals, gases, pet dander, smog, from the air.  As a result, they allow you to breathe easily and to sleep better. In this article, we shall explain some of the things you should check when buying an air purifier for home.

1. Type of air purifier - There are 4 main types of air purifiers which are;

• Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters- These ones are the most powerful and they are also more efficient than others. Unlike other purifiers, these ones are able to remove up to 99.97% of all microscopic particles. However, you need to be careful when buying to ensure that you have purchased true HEPA filters and not models with similar names like “HEPA-type, HEPA-like among other names.
• Ozone Generators and Ionizers - These filters are almost the same and they work by releasing charged ions or ozone which captures the looming particles in the air which has a neutral charge. However, you should avoid them if you have respiratory problems because they cause irritation to the lungs.
• Air Purifiers with Activated Carbon Filters - Unlike other filters, these ones feature an activate carbon filters which helps to trap gases and odors that passes thorough the filter. Some can trap even volatile organic compounds [VOCs] while others are able to trap larger particles.
• Air Purifiers with UV Light - These ones are unique types of filters because they use ultraviolet light to kill viruses and other harmful microorganisms. Such air purifiers are usually accompanied with one or more additional filters.

2. Power consumption - Most air purifiers require electricity to operate. When buying, you need to ensure that the one you have picked doesn’t consume a lot of power. You should consider a product with a BEE rating of 5 stars.

3. Noise - Air purifiers have different noise levels which means that some are noisier than others. When choosing the best, you need to ensure that the one you have picked has a low speed which won’t disturb your family members or workmates if you are intending to use it in an office.

4. Area covered - Before you decide on which air purifier you should buy, you need to know where exactly you will be using the device. This will allow you to choose a suitable purifier that matches the size of your room.  You will find that these devices have a maximum area where they can cover.

5. ACH rating - This refers to the amount of air the device can clean in a room within an hour. For example, if the ACH is 6 for 30 feet x 30 feet area, it means that the machine can exchange all the air 6 times within an hour.

6. Safety - You need to be very careful when buying air purifiers because some emits dangerous ozone which can causes irritation to the lungs. Such purifiers are also dangerous to the elderly, kids and people who suffer from different allergies.

7. Maintenance - Just like any other home appliance, air purifies also needs to be taken care of if you want them to work. You will need to clean the device from time to time to prevent clogging. Check the type of filter used and how easy it is to remove or clean it.

8. Price - The good thing about air purifiers is that you can find a good unit irrespective of your budget. However, the cheaper ones are not highly reliable, and they are not durable. The price also depends on the size which means that larger models cost more than smaller ones.

9. Brand - This is another important thing you should not ignore. You should consider those brands that have been on the market for many years.

10. Other features – Air purifiers comes with different features which means that you need to compare them when choosing the best. Some of these features are;

• Timer - A timer is one of the most common features that you are likely to find in a purifier. It is a very useful feature because it allows you to set specific time when you want the device to run. You can also set the timer to turn off automatically at a certain time.
• Sensor - Air purifiers with sensors are the best because they can adjust according to the pollution levels in a room. When the pollution level rises, they can increase the speed automatically to boost efficiency.
• Filter - There are some filters that require to be replaced while others only require some cleaning. If you opt to buy an air purifier that requires you to replace the filter from time to time, you need to ensure that they are affordable and readily available on the market.
• Indicator - You also need a device that shows you when it is time to replace the filter. An indicator light helps you to know the status of the filter.
• Portability - Since you may need to use the device in different rooms, you need to ensure that it has a carrying handle to enhance portability. In case you would prefer a bigger model for larger rooms, you need to ensure that it has wheels for easier mobility.
• Speed - Some models may allow you to set the speed of the device according to your requirements. This means that you can lower the speed when working, sleeping, reading to minimize the noise. You can also increase the speed when the pollution levels are very high especially when you are cleaning.
• Remote control - A remote control makes your work easier when operating the air purifier because you can adjust the settings when doing other things.

Final Words

If you are among those who suffer from different allergies or asthma, an air purifier is one of the most important devices you should have in your home. These appliances can remove all the pollutants from the air to ensure that the air you are breathing is very pure and fresh. However, don’t make a mistake of buying just any purifier because not all of them are reliable. Before buying, make sure you have checked all the features mentioned in this article.  This will make your work easier when identifying the best air purifier for home.