If you have been looking for a way to help your home or office breathe easier, then air purifiers may be the answer. These devices can help remove particles from the air that are causing allergies and asthma attacks. But how do you know which one is right for you? In this blog post, we will review some of the types of air purifiers on the market and their advantages and disadvantages so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to buy!
Air purifiers with mechanical filters: This type of air purifier features a fiberglass filter. It works by pushing air through the filter. The particles in the air stick to molecules on the surface, trapping them inside. These filters are typically either fiberglass or charcoal-based and can be washed for reuse after they have been saturated with trapped pollutants. However, these types of filters require regular maintenance because, over time, they become less effective at removing larger particles from the surrounding area, and occasional deep cleaning is necessary to remove any built-up grime stuck within them.
Air purifiers with electronic dust controls: This type of device uses an electric charge to remove up to 99% of airborne particles larger than 0.03 microns through what is known as ionization technology. Because these devices contain metal grids, some models need replacement. However, it should be noted that these types of purifiers do not have a filter to clean and require replacement every three months.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters: HEPA air purifier uses an activated carbon or charcoal filter to remove particles from the surrounding area. These devices are often used in conjunction with other forms of filtration because they can become saturated over time and lose their effectiveness at removing pollutants from the air. For this reason, many users opt for more advanced combination models that offer various filtration methods, including electronic dust controls and ionization technology.
Air purifiers without mechanical filters: This type of device does not contain any filtration system but relies solely on an ionization system to remove pollutants from the surrounding area. The device uses negative and positive ions to attract particles in the air, such as mold spores and pollen, which stick to one another when they come into contact with each other. Over time, this process traps contaminants stuck together within its range and kills them by disrupting their DNA structure through exposure to UV-C rays (between 200 nanometers and 290 nanometers). Air purifiers that rely only on ion production do not work well for removing chemicals found in cigarettes smoke or other gaseous pollutants like radon gas but can be used effectively for things like dust mites.
Air purifiers with UV lights: This is another type of ionization-based technology. But instead of using negative and positive ions to trap airborne contaminants, it relies on ultraviolet light (UV-C) rays. A special kind of quartz bulb allows these devices to emit wavelengths between 200 nanometers and 290 nanometers —the ideal wavelength required by bacteria, viruses, and fungus—which helps kill these particles by disrupting their DNA. However, this type of purifier does not work on airborne chemicals and may be harmful to humans if used for long periods.
Air Purifiers with Carbon Filters: This is another ionization-based technology that uses a special kind of activated carbon filter combined with UV lights to kill viruses, bacteria, and mold spores from the surrounding area. Because it has an additional form filtration method, this device requires less maintenance than other types but does require filters that need replacement every six months or so, depending on how often you use it each day.
Air purifiers with HEPA/Carbon Combo Filters: This type of device is the most effective at removing pollutants from a surrounding area and offers an additional form of filtration that includes activated carbon. In addition to electronic dust controls, this filter also uses HEPA technology to remove up to 99% of particles larger than 0.03 microns from the surrounding environment. Because it has three types of filters in one unit, each with different lifespans depending on how often you use them, these devices require regular maintenance every six months or so.
So which air purifier is the best for you?
Well, that depends on your needs and the type of air quality you have in your home or office. If you want a device to use during pollen season without having to worry about harmful chemicals being emitted from everyday household items, then an ionization system is probably what you need. However, ionized-based purifiers are not powerful enough for cigarette smoke or chemical pollutants found around paint supplies. But if you’re looking for something effective at removing particles large than 0.03 microns while also killing bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, then look no further than combination models, which come with a combination of HEPA technology and carbon filters in one unit.
Before purchasing an air purifier, just make sure you know exactly what your purifier does and what it does not.
