How to choose the right air purifier?

Clean air is an important part of life. It has a major impact on our lungs, blood circulation, heart and overall physical health. But the air in our homes may not be as clean as we think. Some studies even believe that indoor air contains two to five times more pollutants than outdoor air. So how can we improve indoor air quality?

The best way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate the source of the problem. For example, don’t smoke indoors or don’t let pets in. In addition, frequent ventilation also helps. But if you still feel some discomfort indoors, an air purifier is the way to go. But how to choose an air purifier?

What is an air purifier?

An air purifier is a relatively simple device that draws in contaminated air and returns it to the room again, treated, through various filters and modern technologies. Not all air purifiers can filter all types of pollutants. Some focus exclusively on biological pollutants, such as allergens like dust or pet hair. It is therefore important to understand all types of air pollution before buying an air purifier.

Fine particle air pollution is dangerous because it is not visible to the naked eye. We breathe them in all day without knowing it. They normally enter the air from smoke, soot, pollen or other allergens. But they are also particles that are produced from very ordinary activities such as cooking, cleaning or burning candles. But the biggest producers of these fine particles are wood heating and the burning of fossil fuels, especially exhaust fumes.

Chemical air pollution is mainly present indoors. These are substances that are commonly known as silent killers. They are colourless and odourless. In particular, therefore, beware of chemicals that contain carbon monoxide. The last type of pollutants are of biological origin. These are pollutants that come exclusively from living organisms such as plants, animals or fungi.

Regardless of how and with what the air we breathe is polluted, it is important to remember that an air purifier is not a humidifier or an air conditioner. While some brands offer 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 devices, the presence of moisture in an air purifier can be detrimental to the performance of its filters.

Types of air purifiers

Different air purifiers work using different technologies. A few are useful. Others are ineffective or even potentially harmful to health. So how to choose an air purifier?

Air purifiers with mechanical filters

These types of purifiers use fans to push air through a dense network of fine fibres that trap particles. Filters with very fine mesh are called HEPA filters. But mechanical filters don’t help with gases or odors. They can be expensive to maintain, plus the filters need to be changed every 6 to 12 months.

HEPA-certified filters are capable of filtering 99.97% of particles. To protect your lungs from allergens, bacteria, mold, fungi, smoke, volatile organic compounds and other harmful components found in polluted air, a HEPA-certified filter is necessary. Care should be taken when choosing a filter, as there are several types of HEPA filters available on the market. In addition to the certification itself, do not forget about how the filters have stood up to tests. Therefore, the more you study about a given filter, the better you will be able to decide how to choose an air purifier.

Air purifiers with activated carbon filter

Activated carbon is one of the most common filter mixtures in the industrial world, often used in both air and water filters to remove impurities. It is extremely effective in filtering out chemical pollutants. These filters are especially known for their ability to absorb odors, making them a desirable technology for those who struggle with cigarette smoke and other types of odors in their space.

But activated carbon air purifiers are not very effective for formaldehyde, ammonia or nitrogen oxide. Activated carbon filters do not fight particles, so these purifiers often use mechanical filters as well. Compared to mechanical filters, they saturate faster and therefore need to be replaced every three months on average.

Ozone air purifiers

These machines produce ozone, a molecule that can react with certain pollutants and change their chemical composition. However, this is a very risky proposition, as these machines can result in dangerous indoor air quality. Manufacturers of ozone generators often claim that the devices emit safe levels of ozone, but in the past, many tests have found that even at low settings, some ozone generators quickly exceeded the established safe limit. In addition, studies have shown that low levels of ozone, a major component of smog, do not effectively destroy indoor pollutants.

Ionizers

Some air purifiers have ionisation capability. Ionization is an effective method of pollution control because negative ions remove fine particles from the air. Purifiers work by releasing negative ions, negatively charged ions or “anions” into the space. They use a phenomenon called “electrostatic attraction” to attach to fine particles that are positively charged, or electrically neutral. Once attached to the fine particles, this causes the fine particles to completely disintegrate. Our lungs and health are thus protected from inhaling these dangerous particles.

Air purifiers on the principle of photocatalysis

Another technology offered by some air purifiers is photocatalysis. Photocatalysis can be found in a number of professional fields, including the removal of pollutants and contaminants from air and water. The process is also called photocatalytic degradation and is a chemical reaction accelerated by light. Depending on the pollutant, this reaction can produce harmful by-products such as ozone, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

How to choose an air purifier?

There are several variables to consider when choosing an air purifier. First and foremost is the cost of replacing filters. These costs vary considerably depending on the type of purifier.

Another factor to consider when choosing an air purifier is the rate of clean air delivery. This is a value that also takes into account the size of the space. Many air purifiers that have passed certification will have these values listed. Generally though, the higher the value, the faster and more efficient the air purifier. Judge an air purifier not only by how well it works, but also by how well you can live with it. These machines should be running all the time, so ideally they should also be quiet.

Energy efficiency

Another characteristic to consider before buying is how much energy it consumes. This again varies greatly depending on the model and size. An air purifier sized for a small space uses less energy. The reverse is also true, an air purifier sized for a large space uses more energy. These devices are most efficient when allowed to run almost continuously, which means they have the potential to consume high levels of energy, especially if allowed to run at higher speeds. Therefore, how to choose an air purifier should also take into account potential energy costs.

Extra features

Some air purifier models come with features such as WiFi, mobile app integration, remote control, filter change light, dimming or turning off the display and many more. Whether you need some or all of these features depends on your needs. Some of them may be indispensable for everyday use, while others may fall into the category that says it’s nice to have them, but other than that they’ll be kind of useless.

Conclusion : How to choose a purifier

Clean air is not only a matter of comfort, but also of health. Investing in a quality air purifier can significantly improve your quality of life and contribute to better breathing. If you are looking for a reliable partner in the fight against impurities in the air, visit Slovklima, where you will find a wide range of air purifiers that meet the highest standards. Remember that clean air is the foundation of health and well-being, so don’t delay your decision and invest in quality equipment today!