Steps
- Decide what kind of protection you are seeking. Are you looking for relief from your allergies? Filtering smoke out of a room? Knowing what you need the unit to do will help narrow down your choices.
- Learn the five different types of air purification technologies. Each are effective for different types of cleaning. Most systems will incorporate a few types into one product.
- HEPA - a specially designed filter effective against many particles
- Ionic - electronically charges particles causing them to attract to collector plates or fall to the floor
- UV Lamp - effective against living microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria
- Ozone Generator - creates ozone which seeks out contaminants
- Carbon Filter - removes chemicals, fumes, and smoke
- Measure the room size needed. The certified room size of an air purifier should be one of the major selection criterias when making a purchase. Find an air purifier that is certified to effectively clean a larger room than you are going to use it in. This will enable the air purifier to clean the room at a faster rate.
- Example: You want to use your new air purifier in a living room that measures 15 ft x 15 ft or 225 square feet (sq ft). You'll want to purchase an air purifier that is certified to clean a slightly larger room, such as 300-350 sq ft. Since the model is certified to effectively clean a room size larger than yours, it will clean the room at a faster rate.
- The same can be said if you purchase an air purifier that has a room certification that is smaller than the room size you'd like to clean. That air purifier will clean the room at a slower rate because it is not certified to clean the larger size room as effectively as it would in a smaller one.
- Learn the other basic facts about air purifiers. When looking at air purifiers, also consider the following criteria:
- Air Filtering Efficiency: Obviously, you want a purifier that effectively cleans the air.
- Noise Level: You want this to be as low as possible, but realize some of the better air purifiers do make noise. Quieter doesn't necessarily mean better.
- Cost of Replacement Parts: Find out what it costs to replace filters and other parts.
- Electricity Costs: Know how much it costs to run an electronic air cleaner.
- Warranty: Learn about the warranty available for the unit you are considering.
- Indicator Lights for Filter Changes: Some units have them. It's not necessary, but is very convenient.
- Separate Filters: Does the unit have a pre-filter to increase HEPA filter efficiency?
- Size and Look of the Air Purifier: Some air purifiers are big and ugly. Others are sleek and pleasing to the eye.
- Learn the four simple truths about air filtration:
- If the unit does not move air, it CANNOT CLEAN AIR.
- If the unit has no filters, it CANNOT CLEAN AIR.
- HEPA filtration is THE ONLY COMPLETE SOLUTION.
- Units Constructed of Plastic CREATE TOXIC VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
- Note that new emerging products on the market may not fit neatly into this list of truths. Products from such companies as Airfree would not even be considered by consumers if they were choosing an air purifier solely based on these truths. There are constantly new products and technologies emerging in the market that contradict these facts in some part or another.
Tips
- Look for air purifiers with metal or steel coverings.
- Air Purifiers don't have to be pretty to get the job done.
Warnings
- Stay away from air purifiers that create ozone as a by-product of the air purification process. Ozone is in no way, shape, or form good for the human body.
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