Indoor air quality is a paramount concern for maintaining a healthy living environment, I recognize its significance. Subpar air quality can have detrimental effects on respiratory health, trigger allergies, and pose various other health risks. Fortunately, one effective solution for enhancing air quality is the utilization of air purifiers or filters. These devices are designed to eliminate particles and pollutants from the air, creating a cleaner and safer breathing environment.
Nevertheless, I understand that the wide array of air purifiers and filters available in the market can be overwhelming. Selecting the most suitable option for your specific needs requires careful consideration of various factors. These include the size of the room, specific air quality concerns, noise level preferences, energy efficiency considerations, and maintenance and replacement costs. In this blog post, I aim to provide comprehensive insights into these factors, enabling you to make a well-informed decision when choosing an air purifier or filter for your home or office.
Rest assured, by taking these factors into account and making a thoughtful choice, you can significantly enhance indoor air quality, ensuring a healthier and more enjoyable living or working environment.
Types of air purifiers/filters
There are various types of air purifiers and filters available in the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. I understand the importance of choosing the right one based on your specific needs. Familiarizing yourself with the differences between these types will enable you to make an informed decision.
Some common types of air purifiers and filters include:
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters: HEPA filters are widely recognized and popular for their ability to remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. They excel at eliminating allergens, dust, and other small particles from the air. However, they are less effective at removing odors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Activated Carbon Filters: Activated carbon filters are excellent at tackling odors and VOCs, making them a suitable choice for households with pets or smokers. However, they may require more frequent replacement compared to other filter types and are not as efficient at removing particles.
Ionizers: Ionizers work by emitting negatively charged ions into the air, causing positively charged particles to become heavy and fall to the ground. They effectively remove particles from the air. However, it’s important to note that some ionizers may produce ozone, which can be harmful to health if generated in high levels.
UV-C Filters: UV-C filters utilize ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the air. They are effective at eliminating germs, but their particle removal capabilities are comparatively lower.
Ozone Generators: Ozone generators operate by producing ozone, which reacts with pollutants in the air, aiding in their removal. Nonetheless, caution must be exercised as they can generate high levels of ozone, which can be harmful to health if produced excessively.
Room size and air purifier capacity
When selecting an air purifier or filter, it’s essential to consider the room size where it will be utilized. The capacity of an air purifier refers to its ability to clean a specific volume of air within a given time frame. Opting for an air purifier with the appropriate capacity is crucial to ensure optimal air cleaning efficiency.
One useful method to determine the suitable air purifier capacity for your room is by employing the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating system. CADR rating measures the volume of clean air an air purifier can deliver in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A higher CADR rating signifies a more effective air purifier in terms of removing pollutants from the air.
To determine the appropriate CADR rating for your room, consider the square footage of the room and the recommended air changes per hour (ACH) for the specific pollutants of concern. As a general guideline, select an air purifier with a CADR rating that is at least two-thirds the size of your room.
For instance, if you have a room with a size of 300 square feet and you aim to remove dust particles, an air purifier with a CADR rating of at least 200 CFM, which is two-thirds of the room size, would be appropriate. Conversely, if you want to eliminate tobacco smoke, which is more challenging to filter than dust particles, you would require an air purifier with a higher CADR rating, such as 300 CFM.
By carefully selecting an air purifier with a suitable capacity for your room, you can ensure effective air cleaning and create a healthier living environment.
Noise level
The noise level of an air purifier or filter is a crucial consideration, particularly when using it in a bedroom or other quiet spaces. Certain air purifiers can generate loud or disruptive noise, which can be distracting or hinder quality sleep.
When choosing an air purifier or filter, it’s important to take into account the decibel (dB) level of the device. Decibels serve as a unit of measurement for sound intensity. A normal conversation typically ranges between 60-65 dB, while a vacuum cleaner can produce around 70 dB of noise.
By comparison, a quiet air purifier may generate 30-40 dB of noise on its lowest setting, while a louder unit may produce 60-70 dB of noise on its highest setting. When selecting an air purifier, consider your personal preference for noise level and the intended use of the device.
Some air purifiers also offer noise-reducing features, such as a low-speed fan or a sleep mode, which can effectively diminish noise levels. If the noise level is a concern for you, seek out an air purifier equipped with these features to ensure a tranquil and undisturbed living environment.
Maintenance
Maintaining your air purifier or filter is crucial for ensuring its ongoing effectiveness and efficiency. I understand the importance of regular maintenance in extending the lifespan of the device while also saving you money in the long run.
Here are some essential maintenance tasks to consider for your air purifier or filter:
Filter replacement: Most air purifiers and filters require periodic filter replacements to ensure optimal air cleaning. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the appropriate filter replacement schedule and diligently follow these guidelines to maintain the device’s peak performance.
Cleaning: Regularly cleaning the exterior of your air purifier or filter is essential to prevent dust and dirt buildup, which can hinder its efficiency. Use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the device’s exterior, adhering to the manufacturer’s specified cleaning instructions.
Pre-filter cleaning or replacement: Certain air purifiers feature a pre-filter that requires regular cleaning or replacement. This pre-filter aids in prolonging the primary filter’s lifespan and enhancing the overall efficiency of the device.
UV-C bulb replacement: If your air purifier incorporates a UV-C filter, it may also utilize a UV-C bulb that necessitates periodic replacement. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the bulb replacement intervals and diligently adhere to these guidelines to maintain effective air cleaning performance.
Regular testing: Periodically testing the air quality in your home is beneficial in verifying the effectiveness of your air purifier or filter. Utilize an air quality monitor to assess the air quality before and after operating the device, enabling you to gauge its performance.
By diligently following these maintenance tips, you can ensure that your air purifier or filter functions optimally, providing you with a healthier living environment.
Additional features
When selecting an air purifier or filter, it’s essential to take into account any additional features that may be important to you. These features can enhance the functionality and convenience of the device to better suit your needs. Here are some common additional features to consider:
Wi-Fi connectivity: Certain air purifiers offer the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control and monitor the device remotely using a smartphone app. This feature enables you to adjust settings and monitor air quality even when you’re not at home.
Smart sensors: Some air purifiers are equipped with smart sensors that can detect changes in air quality. These sensors automatically adjust the device’s settings based on the detected pollutants, ensuring efficient and targeted air purification.
Multiple fan speeds: Air purifiers with multiple fan speeds allow you to customize the fan’s speed according to your preferences and the current air quality conditions. This feature provides flexibility in airflow control.
Filter replacement indicators: Certain air purifiers have built-in filter replacement indicators that notify you when it’s time to replace the filter. This feature simplifies maintenance and ensures that you replace the filter promptly to maintain optimal air-cleaning performance.
Night mode: Some air purifiers offer a night mode feature specifically designed for creating a peaceful sleeping environment. In night mode, the device operates quietly with reduced noise levels and dimmed lights, allowing you to sleep undisturbed.
Energy efficiency: Consider choosing an air purifier with an Energy Star rating. Opting for an energy-efficient air purifier can help conserve electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.
Odor reduction: Certain air purifiers feature specialized filters or technologies designed to effectively reduce or eliminate odors from the air. This can be particularly beneficial if you are concerned about unpleasant odors in your living environment.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting an air purifier or filter, you must take various factors into account to ensure the best choice for your specific requirements. Some crucial factors include the type of filter, the size of the unit, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating, noise level, maintenance needs, and any additional features.
Considering these factors, along with your unique needs and preferences, will enable you to make an informed decision and select an air purifier or filter that efficiently and effectively cleans the air in your home or office. It is also important to factor in the cost of the unit and any ongoing maintenance expenses to ensure it aligns with your budget.
Investing in a high-quality air purifier or filter can significantly enhance the air quality in your living or working environment, reducing the risk of health issues associated with poor air quality. By choosing a unit that caters to your specific needs and preferences, you can enjoy cleaner, healthier air and create a more comfortable living or working space.
Air purifiers are essential devices for maintaining and enhancing indoor air quality, which is a concern for many individuals. These devices play a crucial role in removing harmful particles, pollutants, and allergens from the air, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment. We understand the significance of clean air for our well-being and the overall health of indoor spaces such as homes, offices, and other areas.
Indoor air pollution stems from various sources, including dust, pet dander, smoke, mold spores, pollen, and other contaminants. These pollutants can have severe health implications, ranging from respiratory problems to allergies and even chronic illnesses. By employing air purifiers, we can effectively reduce the levels of these pollutants, thus improving indoor air quality and safeguarding our health.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that like any other household device, air purifiers require regular maintenance and timely replacement to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of maintenance and replacement for air purifiers. We will explore the different types of air purifier filters, discuss when and how to replace them and provide insights on cleaning the air purifiers effectively. Additionally, we will address common problems associated with air purifiers and offer troubleshooting solutions. Let us embark on this informative journey together to better understand the maintenance and care required for air purifiers.
Importance of Maintenance on Air Purifiers
Regular maintenance of air purifiers is crucial for ensuring their optimal performance and efficient removal of pollutants from the air. We understand the significance of maintaining these devices to uphold healthy indoor environments. Here are some reasons why air purifier maintenance should not be overlooked:
Enhanced Efficiency: By conducting regular maintenance, we can improve the efficiency of air purifiers, ensuring they operate at their best. This involves checking and cleaning the various components, ensuring proper airflow, and addressing any issues promptly. Maintaining peak efficiency helps the air purifier effectively filter and purify the air, creating a healthier living or working space.
Reduced Energy Consumption: Well-maintained air purifiers consume less energy compared to neglected ones. By keeping the device in optimal condition, we contribute to lower electricity bills and reduce our environmental footprint. This aligns with our arborist ethos of promoting sustainability and conservation.
Prevention of Malfunctions: Neglecting maintenance can lead to malfunctions in air purifiers, resulting in costly repairs or even necessitating the replacement of the entire unit. By following a regular maintenance routine, we can identify and address potential issues before they escalate, saving both time and money.
Sustained Air Quality: Proper maintenance ensures that the air purifier continues to effectively eliminate pollutants, allergens, and other harmful particles from the air. This sustained performance contributes to maintaining good indoor air quality, benefiting the well-being of occupants, and promoting a healthy living or working environment.
To ensure regular maintenance, it is advisable to clean the exterior of the device regularly, replace air filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and clean the interior components as needed. Following the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines is essential to ensure proper maintenance practices and optimal performance.
Replacement of Air Purifier Filters
Air purifier filters play a crucial role in ensuring clean and healthy air by trapping pollutants and particles. We understand the importance of maintaining these filters to uphold optimal air quality. Here’s what you need to know about air purifier filters and their replacement:
Understanding Air Purifier Filters: Air purifier filters come in various types, including HEPA, activated carbon, and pre-filters. HEPA filters are the most common and can effectively trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. Activated carbon filters excel at eliminating odors and chemicals, while pre-filters capture larger particles like pet hair and dust.
Determining Replacement Time: The frequency of air purifier filter replacement depends on factors such as filter type, air quality, and usage. HEPA filters should be replaced every 6-12 months, while activated carbon filters and pre-filters require more frequent replacement, typically every 3-6 months.
Lifespan of Different Filter Types: The lifespan of air purifier filters varies depending on the specific filter type and usage patterns. HEPA filters typically last 6-12 months, activated carbon filters last 3-6 months, and pre-filters last about 3 months.
Replacing Air Purifier Filters: Replacing air purifier filters is a simple process that involves accessing the filter compartment, removing the old filter, and installing a new one. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper filter replacement, allowing the device to maintain its effectiveness.
Regularly replacing air purifier filters is essential for ensuring the device’s optimal performance in removing pollutants from the air and maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment. We prioritize the well-being of both people and the environment, and proper filter maintenance aligns with our commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and sustainable practices.
Cleaning Air Purifiers
We understand the significance of maintaining air purifiers to maximize their performance and durability. Cleaning air purifiers is a vital aspect of regular maintenance, and here are some tips from perspective:
Exterior Cleaning: The exterior of air purifiers can gather dust and debris, affecting both its appearance and functionality. It is recommended to use a soft, damp cloth for regular wiping. Avoid using abrasive materials that may scratch or damage the device.
Interior Cleaning: Accumulation of dust and particles inside the air purifier can hinder its effectiveness. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on cleaning the interior. Generally, a soft brush or vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dust or debris from the device’s interior.
Filter Cleaning: Over time, air purifier filters become clogged with pollutants, diminishing their ability to remove impurities from the air. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning the filters. Typically, HEPA filters cannot be washed and should be replaced when saturated with pollutants. Pre-filters, on the other hand, can be washed and reused, while activated carbon filters should be replaced when saturated with odors or chemicals.
Regular Maintenance: Consistent cleaning of air purifiers ensures their efficiency and prolongs their lifespan. It is crucial to adhere to regular cleaning routines and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions for specific maintenance requirements.
In conclusion, cleaning air purifiers is an integral part of their regular maintenance, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. By following proper cleaning techniques and manufacturer’s guidelines, we can uphold good indoor air quality, mitigate respiratory issues, and promote a healthier environment.
Choosing the Right Air Purifier
Choosing the appropriate air purifier for your needs can be a daunting task, given the wide range of options available. We recognize the importance of selecting the right air purifier for a healthier living environment. Here are some key factors to consider:
Type of Air Purifier: Air purifiers come in various types, such as HEPA, activated carbon, and ionizers. HEPA filters are commonly used and can effectively remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. Activated carbon filters excel at eliminating odors and chemicals, while ionizers release negative ions to attract pollutants for easier removal.
Room Size: Consider the size of the room where the air purifier will be used. Air purifiers have different coverage areas, so it’s crucial to choose one that can adequately clean the air in your specific room size.
Noise Level: Some air purifiers generate noise, which can disrupt the peace and tranquility of your space. Look for models that operate quietly and have low noise levels, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere.
Filter Replacement and Maintenance: Regular maintenance is vital for optimal air purifier performance. Factor in the cost and frequency of filter replacements when making your selection. Additionally, assess the ease of maintenance, including cleaning the device and replacing filters, to ensure convenient upkeep.
Additional Features: Air purifiers may offer additional features like programmable settings, air quality sensors, and remote controls. Consider these features based on your preferences and their potential to enhance the effectiveness and convenience of the air purifier.
Selecting the right air purifier involves evaluating factors such as the type of purifier, room size, noise level, filter replacement and maintenance, and additional features. Take the time to research and compare different models to find the one that best aligns with your needs and budget, promoting cleaner and healthier air in your surroundings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we recognize the significance of air purifiers in preserving a healthy indoor environment and mitigating the risk of respiratory ailments and other health concerns. Ensuring regular maintenance, including cleaning and filter replacement, is crucial to guarantee the proper functioning and optimal performance of air purifiers. When making a selection, consider factors such as the type of air purifier, room size, noise level, filter replacement and maintenance, and additional features.
Note that while air purifiers enhance indoor air quality, they do not replace good ventilation practices like opening windows and using exhaust fans. Air purifiers also have limitations and cannot remove all types of pollutants. Therefore, identifying and addressing indoor air pollution sources, such as smoking, cleaning products, and mold, is crucial for comprehensive air quality improvement.
Overall, investing in air purifiers proves to be a valuable endeavor, contributing to the preservation of a healthy indoor environment and reducing the susceptibility to respiratory problems and other health issues. By diligently adhering to the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and selecting the appropriate air purifier for your specific needs, you can enjoy the advantages of cleaner and healthier air in your home or office space.
Indoor air pollution is a growing concern, especially in densely populated urban areas with tightly sealed buildings. Poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues like headaches and respiratory problems. As arborists, we value simple and affordable solutions to address this problem, like air-purifying plants.
One standout plant is the spider plant, requiring minimal care and excelling at air purification. In this blog post, we explore its benefits, care tips, and creative ways to incorporate it into your decor. By the end, you’ll confidently introduce spider plants, enhancing air quality in your home or office.
We, as arborists, believe in utilizing plants’ natural abilities to improve living environments. Spider plants offer a simple yet impactful solution for indoor air pollution. Their lush foliage adds beauty and serves as a natural air purifier. By spreading awareness about these benefits, we contribute to urban well-being.
Benefits of Spider Plants as Air-Purifiers
Spider plants are remarkable air purifiers, efficiently removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene found in household products. They also eliminate indoor pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, reducing health issues and discomforts such as headaches and respiratory problems. For individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, they can enhance respiratory health. As arborists, we recognize the significance of incorporating this plant into indoor spaces for better air quality. Their low maintenance and affordability make them accessible to all, promoting a healthier living environment. By raising awareness about their air-purifying benefits, we aim to prioritize our well-being and appreciate the value of nature in our daily lives.
How Spider Plants Purify the Air
Spider plants possess remarkable air-purifying capabilities, absorbing pollutants through their leaves and roots. The large leaves have microscopic openings called stomata that absorb pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene from the air, converting them into harmless compounds. The long roots effectively absorb pollutants from the soil, converting carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into nutrients. Additionally, spider plants release oxygen through photosynthesis, improving indoor air quality and promoting better respiratory health for occupants.
These plants offer a natural and effective solution for purifying indoor air in homes and offices. As arborists, we value plants for their essential ecosystem services, including air purification. Embracing spider plants aligns with our commitment to fostering healthy relationships between humans and nature and prioritizing overall wellness.
Care and Maintenance
Spider plants, favored for their low-maintenance nature, are excellent indoor plants. Here are valuable tips for their health:
Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, but they can tolerate low light.
Soil: Use well-draining soil with perlite or sand for optimal growth.
Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) to ensure their well-being.
Fertilizer: Apply balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Watch for spider mites or mealybugs and address pests promptly. By following these guidelines, your spider plant will thrive, contributing to improved indoor air quality and well-being.
Decorating with Spider Plants
Spider plants, cherished for their air-purifying abilities, also offer captivating aesthetics that enhance any room. Here are some ideas for decorating with spider plants:
Hanging baskets: Showcase their gracefully arching leaves in hanging baskets suspended from the ceiling or plant stands.
Tabletops: Grow spider plants in smaller pots as delightful additions to tabletops or shelves, adding an elegant touch.
Terrariums: Place spider plants in enclosed terrariums to create self-sustaining miniature ecosystems and bring a natural element to any room.
Grouping: Combine spider plants with other varieties to establish lush and verdant displays, evoking a serene and natural ambiance.
DIY projects: Incorporate spider plants into DIY projects, such as hanging planters or macramé hangers, infusing your space with vibrant greenery and artistic expression.
Versatile and easily adaptable, spider plants offer limitless possibilities for home decor. As arborists, we recognize their inherent beauty and value, creating a tranquil and nature-connected environment in our living spaces.
Types of Spider Plants
There are various captivating types of spider plants, each with its distinctive characteristics. Here are some common types:
Chlorophytum comosum: The renowned variegated spider plant with gracefully arching green and white striped leaves.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’: This variety has narrower leaves with a cream-colored stripe down the center.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’: A compact variation known for producing abundant baby spider plants.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Hawaiian’: This type features broad leaves with a vibrant yellow-green stripe.
Chlorophytum orchidastrum: With thicker leaves and a bronze-colored stripe, it has a distinctive allure.
Chlorophytum saundersiae: Distinguished by its wider leaves and a cream-colored stripe.
Each spider plant variation offers a unique aesthetic, allowing you to select the one that suits your style. Regardless of the type, spider plants are renowned for their air-purifying qualities, making them an excellent choice to enhance indoor air quality. Incorporate these remarkable plants into your indoor environment to enjoy their beauty and the positive impact on your well-being.
Conclusion
These verdant companions are not only a balm for the eyes but also serve as vital purifiers for our indoor air. Embracing the this plant means taking a proactive step towards mitigating the pervasive issue of indoor air pollution, especially crucial in urban areas where space is at a premium and buildings are tightly sealed. Their ability to filter out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene, while also addressing more insidious pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, positions them as silent guardians of our health.
The care and maintenance of spider plants are as straightforward as their aesthetic appeal is diverse. They demand little yet give back much in terms of air quality and visual pleasure. By integrating these plants into our homes and offices, not only do we enhance our living spaces but we also invest in our health. The varied types of spider plants offer a spectrum of choices for personalization, ensuring that there’s a perfect plant for every preference and decor style.
Ultimately, choosing to incorporate of this plant into our indoor environments is a testament to our recognition of the power of nature. It’s a commitment to improving our quality of life in a simple, sustainable way. So as we bring these plants into our personal and shared spaces, we do more than decorate — we contribute to a legacy of wellness, affirming the belief that every small, green addition to our lives makes a substantial impact on our well-being.
Plants remove pollutants from Air by trapping them in their leaves. But also in the Soil and roots.
The Study also tells us which Houseplants are the best Air Cleaners.
However,
It was designed to test air purification for the space station.
Check out this short explainer video made by Quartz.
Plants Also Produce Oxygen. Which means if you live in a very polluted city, and can’t open a window often to get some fresh air. Plants should be your choice.
Unfortunately
You gonna need plenty of Plants to make a big impact.
Bottom Line:
Any amount of Oxygen, Humidity and other Benefits from plants(increased productivity) are welcomed.
Air Purifier
The Air Cleaner can purify the Air faster,
It can be more effective for some unwanted contaminants.
but
They require electricity and can be expensive.
Keep in mind that you need to change their filters 1-2 times a year. Which add to the cost. However, they can help you faster if you have allergies.
How do Air Purifiers Clean the Air?
It all leads down to three steps:
Step One: The Polluted Air goes in the Air Purifier by using some kind of ventilation system.
Step Two: The Air Purifier Cleans the Air Through filters like HEPA, or other types of filters
Step Three: Filtered Air goes back to the Room.
Have a Look at the Purifying Process and effectiveness of an Air purifier.
As you can see in the video the Air Purifier cleans the Polluted Air at a very fast rate.
However
It all depends on the Air Purifier that you have, and its Clean Air Delivery Rating.
Plants and Air Purifier.
The Air Purifier Vs Plants Alternative.
This may be the smartest choice for improving indoor air quality.
I cannot stress enough how much better is this combination for a person like me with allergies.
Yup, the Air purifier alone helps with symptoms relief.
but,
The plants weren’t so much effective at cleaning the air. But they humidify it and produce oxygen.
Bottom line:
If you live in a polluted city, use Plants and Air purifier in combination.
Because they supplement each other.
Conclusion:
You may have your own reasons for choosing either an Air Purifier or plants for your home or office.
The Air Purifier needs less care, filters the air faster, but its more expensive
The Plants Produce Oxygen, they are cheaper, but they purify the air slower and require more care.
Just keep in mind that Air Purifier vs Plantsalternative.
What Types of Air Purifiers and Filters there are?
There isn’t proper information about types of Air Purifiers and Filters. It is vital to know and understand this before purchasing an Air Purifier or a device that is using this set of filters.
Many of the manufacturers don’t even provide proper and explainable technical specifications and guides.
→In order to sell more products the need to know information is even removed out of the box by some marketers. It is ridiculous. We are talking about people’s wellbeing here.
For starters,
I did research and i sum it up all in one infographic.
The information in this infographics contains different types of filters and air purifiers. And it is mostly known. But we also added their Pros and Cons. We also did thorough research and added information that they don’t want you to know.
Even though the HEPA filter helps with the dust mites, the first model of the *censored* Air Purifiers I have purchased didn’t have the UV feature. It would have helped a lot if I knew this sooner. -John
HEPA Filtration
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. It is one of the most common and effective filters for contaminants.
How does HEPA types of Air purifies and Filters work?
It all leads down to three steps:
An Air purifier in a way vakuums the dirty Air from its environment
That polluted air Passes through a HEPA filter, which filters the air from airborne pollutants
The Clean air is exhaled back into the room
Is this HEPA Air purifier safe?
Yes. HEPA filter types of Air Purifiers and filters are the safest you can get. And this is what you should aim for. Just make sure it is a High-Quality True-HEPA filter.
Note: Even though the True-HEPA filter it might be a marketing term, there is still a difference between quality of the HEPA Filters.
Can you wash a HEPA filter?
Always check your product if a HEPA filter is washable. Even though this saves you money, I strongly advise against it. There are trapped contaminants that can make the air quality even worse, or reduce the effectiveness of the air purifier. The trapped contaminants can’t survive if that environment is dry.
However if the air entering the filter has moist, or the filter isn’t dry enough then they can breed.
Additional Advice:
Always purchase air purifier with High-Quality True-HEPA filter.
Some HEPA filters are quite expensive. This is very smart marketing move by the manufacturer. They actually make the Air Purifier very affordable(let’s say $200), but they charge you half the price for the Filters($100). Always keep this in mind when purchasing an air purifier.
Vacuum frequently.
A combination with additional filtering like UV, Carbon offers one of the best air filtrations.
HEPA types of Air Purifiers and Filters are the safest for you and your family. Research every additional type of filter with care.
Activated Carbon Filters
What you need to know:
Source: Wikipedia
Is Air Purifier with Activated Carbon Filter Safe to use?
Before I purchased my air purifier I did thorough research on air purifiers with carbon. Since I have allergies, I was researching forums, talking to people that have similar conditions like mine. In between my research, I find out that some users reported eye itching, red eyes when they used this kind of purifiers.
Also, others noticed a weird smell.
This means the quality of the carbon itself or how it is made: matters. The model and the company that has made it matters too. Read reviews carefully. Especially those with 2-3 stars. They offer the most valuable information.
Even though the cases of this happening are very rare, later I found out that it happens to people that are allergic to several environmental factors.
Keep in mind: I haven’t found exact evidence that provse this. All of the information is gathered from several sources and it is from first-hand users.
Additional Advice:
Try it out. See if it gonna work for you. The effectiveness of this type of filter is worth the try. Some Air Purifiers doesn’t even have these kinds of negative reviews.
Ionic Filter, Air Ionizer
The types of Air Purifiers that uses Ionic Filters, or Air Ionizer’s works like this:
Steam of Negative Ion is released into the Air
Airborne Particles attach to these Negative Ions, making them Negatively Charged
Negatively Charged Particles are attracted to Positive Charged Particles.
As the attraction process occurs, contaminants and pollutants are collected from the air.
This results in the Charged particles to becomeheavy and fall on the ground or to some nearby surface.
It is highly recommended to vacuum often if you are using this kind of Air Purifier or Air Ionizer.
Note: Ozone is produced as an undesirable byproduct of these Air Cleaners. There have been a number of ozone studies that have shown that ozone is very bad to human health.
Also for additional information check this article on Air Ioniser (Note: On Wikipedia it says: Ioniser, Auto-corrects this to: Ionizer)
Conclusion:
We personally avoid these. There are better and safer options to be chosen for purifying your air.
(UVGI) UV Light Purifying Technique
UVGI Technique works great combined with HEPA filter. The UV Lamp alone as the ability to destroy micro-organisms (germs, bacteria, mold).
The process of HEPA and UV filtering in an Air Purifier results on two simple steps:
The HEPA filter captures most contaminants.
This allows the UV Lamp to be more efficient on remaining viruses and bacteria.
This helps in preventing illness and disease.
Note: The downside of this is that the bulb itself is less effective over time. However, a smart integration and usage within the air purifier itself, increase the lifespan of the UV Lamp on some air purifiers.
Categories of Air Purifiers and Cleaners
Below there are two different, yet more general types of home and office Air Purifiers. It is important to know the difference before you decide to purchase one that suits your environment.
Portable Air Purifiers
This most general type of Air Purifiers that is used more and more lately. Also because several of filtering techniques can be implemented in order to be very effective. They can come with various advantages, and disadvantages.
Here is what you need to know:
Usability:
They can come in various sizes. Good to fit even in a bag.
You can move them from one area to another. To the place where you spent your time.
There are smaller that can be used while traveling, to filter the air in your car
You can use them on your vacation, destinations, hotels to filter the air
They can come with different set of filters. This depends on the model and the manufacturer.
Pros:
They can be very effective at cleaning the air you breathe.
Now it is very practical indeed, but its expensive to set up, and you need a technician to do it. Also, it adds up to the monthly electricity bill
It is great for general use.
Because of the low Air Exchange rate per hour, it might not help much with the allergies. However, if you dust free your house, clean occasionally, and have less furniture it might be a great deal for you.
The only downside is that most of these Whole House Air Purifiers produce ozone as a by-product. And we learned so far that ozone can be dangerous for your lungs.
Conclusion:
Always do thorough research about what types of air purifiers and filters suit your environment.
Usually, HEPA purifiers work the best for all situations. But make sure it is a True Hepa Filter.
Keep in mind that purchasing an Air purifier with additional filters can be both good and bad for you. The Types of Air Purifiers And Filters in this article are most commonly used in households and offices.
Finding the optimal Air Purifier location is important as choosing one for your home. Put it in the wrong place and you won’t even notice the big difference.
Short Answer:The Best Air Purifier Location is close to a source of contamination, if there is one. For better effectiveness, do not place it somewhere high or in the corner. Too close to objects it might block its proper air filtration. Do not place your Air Purifier behind Electronics.
Let’s look at it in details:
As you can see in the scheme above: Anywhere within the green area is good place for your Air Purifier, however it might be relevant at this point, because we have the following unknowns:
type of air purifier,
your environment,
surroundings
Consider this before finding the ideal air purifier location.
If you are like most of the people, you get bothered by things that seem out of place. And in this case, you are probably wondering where is the best Air Purifier location and not get upset by it.
I’ve been there
Finding the most functional space for your air purifier can be exhausting. Since we all want usability, but we also want to get the best out of aesthetics.
So if you are having a trouble of figuring out an ideal location to put your Air Cleaner – don’t worry
You’re in the right place.
What i am gonna show you is how to find a balance between usability and aesthetics, in order to improve the air you breathe.
However,
Before we start, It is also very important to consider…
#1 What Type of Air Purifier are you using? Is it Fanless? Portable? Hepa Filter? Carbon Filtered? Whole-House Portable System?
#2 How does it really work?
#3 What’s its effective CADR rating for that particular room.
#4 Is there a heavy pollutant in the house. Smoke, Mold, Dust Mites, Pet Hair?
#5 What Air Purifier Location is the vendor preferring? Or Not.
#6 How many Air Changes per Hour (ACH) are possible.
“Clean Air Delivery Rate ( CADR ) is the amount of filtered air volume returned to the air after being filtered by the air purifier.
Example: If the room has more furniture, objects, than the CADR rating goes down.
Which room is preferred for my Air Cleaner?
A general rule is placing the Air Purifier in the room where you spend most of your time. However, if you have small or portable purifier you can change it between rooms. Daily in the living-room or in the kitchen, at night at the bedroom.
It all depends on the situation
If you have open floor plan it should be placed between the kitchen and the living room area for maximum effectiveness. But if the air pollutant is dust mites, pet hair this time, should be placed in the living room.
If you hate kitchen odor, place it there.
If you have a baby, it is a good idea to have a high-quality air purifier in the baby room.
Did you know? According to WECF there was an Indoor Air Quality study wherein 40% of the baby and children rooms were found pollutants (formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds) that are above-accepted levels, that are bad for their physical and mental health. So invest in your children’s room too!
Is my Air Purifier effective for this area?
Let’s take an average 1500 sq ft home as an example.
On the specifications of your Air Cleaner, it says it filters the air in a 360 sq ft room. That’s great. So you place it in your 340 sq ft living room. In the nearby corner where there is a power outlet and it doesn’t intrude the interior of the room.
First of all
Those specifications most of the time are made for the optimal environment.
This means you might not get the full benefits of the purifier. Unless you place an air purifier that covers 360 sq ft, in a room that’s half of that size, that might actually work.
Bear with me, because I am going to show you how to get the maximum of your air purifier and help you find where is the best Air Purifier Location for your home.
Before you continue further, watch this 30 seconds video made by Dyson air Purifiers.
You will notice that on the 11th second he says it can be placed anywhere.
But right after that says you can use the oscillation function for better room coverage.
So yes, location matters. Have you noticed how all of the air purifier commercials put the purifier almost in the middle of the room?
Now not all of the purifiers have Fans, and only a few have a similar function like Dyson’s oscillation function in order to be more effective.
Most importantly
The tests they are doing to advertise the square footage, are in an environment that is not like yours, and even more importantly they don’t have your furniture in them. This must be taken into consideration.
This again means that the location of your air purifier do matters!
Have you considered asking yourself these questions?
Does the room have or lack air circulation?
What about a nearby window that doesn’t close?
Is the place of contamination near?
Where is the best place to put an air purifier for mold?
Air Pollutant Location? What u need to know at this point.
Either its dog hair, mold or dust mites you should really look into this.
Here are some examples of where you can find an Air Pollutant that causes your home to smell bad or it can cause you allergies.
It can be smoke in the living room from cigarettes. This can get into furniture and give the room funky smell. Keep in mind that no air purifier can remove the residue of cigarette smoke from a house that has been smoked in months or even years. TheSmall percentage of air purifiers remove the Visible Smoke, and slightly reduce the smell. However, the dangerous particles are still in the air. Before you choose an air purifier for this purpose do a thorough research. Air Purifiers from IQAir, Molekule or RabbitAir are worth to check.
From an open window, or a door you can get pm 2.5 particles caused by outside air pollution into your room, also pollen.
Pet hair on the carpet, furniture, under the furniture, in corners from the air filtration, behind grounded electronics.
Dust mites in the carpet, furniture, closet, clothes.
Mold can happen if the wall, object or furniture is wet most of the time.
Now I must add that these air pollutants can stick together. A small breeze or some kind of movement in the air can mix very small pet hair with the dust mites, which can be very bad for everyone. So if you haven’t thoroughly cleaned your carpet for very long time and you have pets it might be time to do something about it. Or you are increasing chances to get allergic to these pollutants.
Can I place it near a window?
Some air purifier actually works great if you place it 1 meter near a small open window. This way you get fresh filtered air in the room. But don’t do this all the time. Because the most preferred working conditions for an air purifier is if everything is closed shut.
Can I place it near an air conditioner?
This actually can be a good idea, since it uses the airflow of your air conditioner, which can help the filtering process faster.
Where to position?
Unless your air purifier can receive air from all the sides. Its the best to point your air purifier toward the center of the room.
What is the ideal spot for air purifier if you have allergies?
The ideal spot is near the Air pollutant! This is because it traps the bad particles faster. Speeding the filtering process. Unless you have Air Purifier that doubles the air coverage of that room it should be placed near the Air Pollutant. This is the best air cleaner location for allergies!
Where not to place your air purifier!
Don’t place it near Electronics! This means stay away from the TV, Stereo Equipment, Microwaves because it can cause interference with them.
Don’t place it too close to a wall, or under shelves, since it needs space to breathe.
Don’t place it in spaces where it has limited air flow. Example corner trapped from all sides by furniture or other objects.
Conclusion:
As you can see it all depends on the situation you are in. The Type of the Air Purifier you are using, and the Environment. However before finding the most ideal Air Purifier Location check that short summary below.
To sum up:
Place it in the room you spend most of your time.
Move it to your bedroom at night
Make sure the air purifier can breathe, this means at least 30cm distance from objects, walls.
If there is Pollutant in the house, place it near so it would trap the bad particles faster.
If it is for general use, place it somewhere more in the middle of the room.
Near walls is fine just don’t stick it next to them(Depends on the CADR rating on your air purifier).
Don’t place it in corners, under shelves, or behind furniture.
With this guide go investigate and find out what works the best for you.
Always buy an air purifier that has higher area of coverage than the area you are planning to use.
If you have any questions, thoughts please share with us. Write in the comments below. I would be more than happy to answer.
Let us know what worked for you
I hope this post cleared some thoughts for you on where you can find the best Air Purifier Location.
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