Should You Buy an Air Purifier? What to Look for And What to Avoid?

As the level of pollution in the atmosphere continues to rise, air purifiers have increasingly become popular in homes and workplaces. Much like most people, you, too, have probably considered getting one but are still debating if it’s really a worthy investment. If that’s you, don’t panic! This post will answer everything you need to know about air purifiers.

Should You Buy an Air Purifier? What to Look for And What to Avoid?

Should You Buy an Air Purifier?

Whether or not you need to buy an air purifier depends on a couple of factors that may include living with a smoker, love pets and are allergic, or moving into a brand new home. Additionally, if you have respiratory problems or live in an extremely dusty or polluted neighborhood, you probably need to buy an air purifier.

What to Look for in an Air Purifier?

Buying an air purifier is a considerably costly affair, and you want to be sure that you invest in a good air purifier that will give you true value for your money. Here are some of the things you need to look out for buying an air purifier for home or office use:

Filters Used

The most important component of an air purifier is its filters. When buying an air filter, it’s essential to establish the type of filters utilized by the air purifier. Air purifiers using a combination of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and activated carbon filters are highly recommendable and effectively eliminate microscopic pollutants such as pollen, dust, mold, bacteria, pet dander, and harmful gases.

Air Change Per Hour (ACH)

ACH refers to the total number of times an air purifier can clean a given air volume in a given space per hour. Devices with a rating of more than 4 ACH are highly effective at ensuring clean air in the room at all times.

Noise Levels

Considering you will be using an air filter inside in a closed room, it would be best to go for one with low noise output. Opt for air purifiers with a noise rating of between 35db and 55db when the fan is running at top speed.

Size

Air purifiers come in different sizes, and your choice should be dependent on your space size. It’s best to go for one whose capacity slightly exceeds the size of the room to achieve maximum efficiency.

What to Avoid When Buying and Using an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are not government-regulated. Therefore, you need to be careful to avoid purchasing an ineffective air purifier. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

Air Purifiers That Boast of Strongest Motor

You could be tempted to think that stronger is better. However, in air filtration, a stronger motor causes the air to flow quickly through the filters compromising the filter's ability to trap pollutants.

Air Purifiers with Medical-Grade HEPA Filters

Most air purifiers that boast of medical-grade filters have a low ACH, defeating the whole purpose of having medical-grade filters in the first place. This is because their filters are more tightly woven, reducing airflow, which ultimately reduces the air purifier's efficiency.

Air Purifiers with Less Than 2.5-Inch Carbon Bed

Activated carbon is highly effective at eliminating chemicals and odors in your indoor air. An air purifier needs to have at least a 2.5-inch activated carbon bed to achieve maximum efficiency.

A Cleaner That Has Been Tested and Proven

When buying any home appliance, it’s always best to avoid models that haven't been proven to work. You can determine if an air purifier model has been proven to work by reading reviews or asking your dealer to confirm its effectiveness. Additionally, always ensure that every product you buy has a valid warranty.

If you are considering buying an air purifier, you’ve definitely made a good decision. The points highlighted in this post will help you get the perfect air purifier that suits your specific needs and budget.