How Do Air Purifiers Work?
The average person takes 16 breaths per minute. This translates to 23,040 breaths throughout the day. Most of us don’t think about breathing. It comes naturally to us until there is a problem. Without breathing, we would die, but what happens when every breath you take is also hazardous to your health? The World Health Organization estimates that 4.6 million people die from air pollution every year. When you read this statistic, you probably imagine the smog-filled streets of China where people wear masks to go outdoors. Believe it or not, most of these deaths from air pollution are actually the result of indoor air pollution.
What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?
Indoor air pollution can be caused by a number of factors, some of which may seem obvious to you and others which you likely have never considered. Pollutants from these sources include radon, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, asbestos, and mold.
- Building materials
- Central heating and cooling systems
- Cleaning products
- Excessive moisture
- Outdoor pollutants entering the building
- Animal dander
What Health Risks Are Associated with Indoor Air Pollution?
Health risks associated with indoor air pollution aren’t limited to coughs and respiratory diseases. You may also suffer from dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and irritation of your eyes, nose, and throat. In the long-term, cancer, respiratory diseases, and heart problems are also possible and could be fatal. The average American now spends an estimated 90% of their days indoors, whether at home or in the office. Is it worth it for you to invest in an air purifier?
What Is an Air Purifier and How Does It Work?
An air purifier is a device that works by cleaning the air in your home or workspace. They are sometimes referred to as air cleaners. They are typically sold to consumers as stand-alone units that clean indoor air in one of two ways: active versus passive purifying. Active purifying uses ionization to clean the air. They generate negative ions that attract and trap dust and other positively-charged particles. Passive purifying makes use of filters to clean the air. The best of the filtered models feature HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. Air is pulled into the filter, catching and trapping any pollutants before pushing clean air back out to circulate in your home.
How to Choose an Air Purifier
We recommend choosing an air purifier with a HEPA filter. This means that 99.7% of air particles measuring 0.3-micron diameter will be successfully removed from your air. It’s important that you consider the size of the area that you want to be cleaned by an air purifier. Air purifiers come with recommendations for maximum room-size. If you choose an air purifier for a 30 square foot area but you want it to work on an 80 square foot space, it just won’t be effective. How quiet the air cleaner is during operation may also be a deciding point for you, especially if you are a light sleeper.
In addition to the upfront cost of the air purifier, you need to factor in long-term costs. How often do you need to replace the air filter and how much do they sell for? Is it easy to change the filter? What is the durability like for the air purifier you’re interested in? How long is the warranty good for? All of these aspects can significantly impact how much money you spend over time.
There are other convenient options available with certain air purifiers. An indicator light will alert you when it’s time to change the filter so you don’t have to worry about remembering. A dirt sensor works by automatically adjusting fan speed based on the amount of dirt the purifier senses in the air. Otherwise, you’ll want to be able to manually adjust fan speeds. Check to see how many speeds are available on the air purifiers that you’re considering, as well as if there is a remote control that comes with the unit. A carrying handle will make it easier for you to move the air purifier from room to room but if you plan to have a different purifier for each room, this likely won’t be important to you. Finally, if you’ve already invested in making your home a smart home, research air purifiers that include smart functionality.