Air purifiers are now an essential part of home set up. As the quality of air in urban centers continues to deteriorate. These devices are now just as important as a home’s water supply. Indoor air pollutants include dust, smoke, pet odor, mold and mildew. Air purifiers are important considering the vast amount of time that Americans spend indoors.
Air purifiers are a good investment. These gadgets have been around for several decades and have evolved as technology has improved. Newer models of air purifiers are more efficient, but they also cost more. The average cost of an air purifier in the market can run from around $200 up to around $1000. This is why it is a good idea to do your homework first. Whether you are considering buying your first air purifier or looking to upgrade your old system. Read on to get answers to all your questions.
1: How Do Air Purifiers Work?
A: Air purifiers consist of fans and filters. They work by drawing in air through a series of filters removing harmful particles such as dust, pollen and bacteria. The purified air is then recirculated through the room. The three main types of air purifiers are fiberglass filters, polyester, carbon and High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filters. The latter can trap small particles of up to 0.3 microns and has an efficiency of 99.97% of airborne particles.
2: How Often Should You Change Your Air Filters?
A: Over time dust, pollen and collect at the filter rendering it ineffective. To avoid this, the filters must be changed regularly. The period it takes before changing depends on the workload. If your filter runs for 24/7 it will need replacing faster. Similarly dirtier rooms need filter changing sooner. In general HEPA filters need replacing every 12-18 months while carbon filters can be changed every 3 months. For best results, air filters work with air quality monitors. The monitors alert you when the impurities exceed a critical level.
3: Do Air Purifiers Remove Odors?
A: Not all air purifiers can eliminate odors. For instance HEPA filters only reduce odor by eliminating the particles creating the odors. Common odors detectable by a human being are made of airborne and volatile chemicals. Persistent smells like smoke, pets dander and odors from cooking are more troublesome for basic purifiers. Activated carbon filters and Photo Electrochemical Oxidation are more effective with odors. Combining different types of filters is the best way to deal with odor.
4: How Much Does It Cost to Operate a Purifier?
A: The answer to this question depends on the type of purifier. Energy efficient purifiers consume less power. On average, air purifiers need between 50-200 Watts. This is much less than what your computer consumes so the electricity bill won't spike. If you are in the market for a new air purifier, avoid the cheaper ones. They are less effective, meaning you have to run them for longer. Look for Energy star rated air purifiers for maximum consumption.
5: Are There Side Effects to an Air Purifier?
A: Air purifiers are generally harmless to a healthy person. However, some air purifiers use electrostatic precipitators. These devices break down particles by attaching oxygen molecules eliminating the harmful components. The downside of Ozone purifiers is that it releases ozone into the air. Ozone is a well-known trigger for asthma. It is recognized as a pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency. Ozone is also known for to worsen other respiratory complications such as allergies.
6: How Do You Determine there is An Indoor Air Quality Problem
A: If you are living in any city then you definitely need an air purifier. This is not to say air pollution is limited to major towns. The effects of poor indoor air quality take time to manifest. You may notice some changes, but these often disappear after leaving the contaminated space. If you are not keen it might take awhile before you realize the cause. Look out for the following symptoms after moving into a new home or space. They include: dizziness, fatigue, hypersensitivity, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath.
