An air purifier can vastly improve the indoor air quality of your home. Here are some reasons why you should think about buying an air purifier.
According to the EPA, indoor levels of pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, sometimes reaching over 100 times the outdoor pollution levels.
Examples of pollutants are:
- Smoke
- Tobacco
- Wood
- Cooking
- Gases
- Cleaning products
- Building materials
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Pet dander
Indoor conditions become more hazardous if there’s a nearby wildfire, or if someone in the home is sick with COVID.
Long-term exposure to high particle levels can cause:
- Asthma
- Heart attacks (for those with heart disease)
- Bronchitis
- Impaired lung function
Who Can Benefit from Air Purifiers?
Here are some of the people who can benefit from air purifiers:
Those with allergies
Choose an air purifier with HEPA filtration if you’re looking to reduce airborne allergens in the air.
Asthma patients
If you’ve got asthma that’s aggravated by odors and chemical pollutants, an air purifier with HEPA filtration as well as a carbon filter may be a good fit.
People who are sick
According to the EPA, air purifiers can help reduce viruses in the air, including COVID, and can be used (along with other precautions) to protect your family from being as susceptible to the virus.
Smokers
Smokers can benefit from air purifiers that include active carbon filters to absorb the smoke and odors from the air.
Pet owners
Some air purifiers are designed specifically to remove pet dander and odors from the air.
Things to Think About
If you fall into one of the above categories, the next step will be to start looking for the one that suits your needs by providing the air purification you want. Below are some other factors to consider as you search for the best air purifier.
Room Size
It’s critical to find an air purifier based on the correct room size - otherwise, you either end up spending too much unnecessarily or waste your money on an air purifier that’s going to be inefficient for the size of the room.
Filtration Method
Depending on whether you want to remove particles from the air or odor, you may choose an air purifier with a mechanical filter, an activated carbon filter, or one that offers both.
Location of the Air Purifier
If you can afford only one air purifier, get one that’s large enough to be used in the room where you spend most of your time, whether that’s the bedroom, living room, or elsewhere in the home.
Put your air purifier in a place where airflow won’t be compromised.You can move your air purifier throughout the house, but some models can be heavy.
Cost and Maintenance
Factor in the cost of the air purifier as well as upkeep. Keep in mind that activated carbon filters need to be replaced more often.
Sound Level
Pay attention to the noise level of the air purifier. They can be as quiet as 17 decibels or over 60 decibels.
Warranty
Find an air purifier with at least a year warranty.
