How to Choose an Air Purifier?

Worried, How to choose an air purifier for your home or office? Taking the right decision before purchasing an air purifier is quite important because there are many types of them available in the market, but it is always better to choose the best one.

To make your work easier and to avoid any issues, we have provided some tips and tricks that can be useful for you. All you need to do is just keep reading.

However, If you’re wondering about an air purifier buying guide, here are some things that are good to keep in mind when making this decision.

How to Choose An Air Purifier? 25 Proven Ways To Get The Best For Your Home

1. Room size: 

Some air purifiers are too big for their claimed room sizes. Be wary of manufacturers’ claims! We have tested many models that cannot handle the recommended number and size ranges.

So make sure to check our ratings if you want a unit with verified AHAM seal certification before purchase or installation.

In general, we may assume the following:

• For a 100-200 square foot area, such as a nursery or workplace, a small purifier is enough;
• If you want to clean a 200 to 400 square feet room, such as a bedroom, get a medium-sized purifier.
• If you have a 400 to 600 square feet room, like a living room or dining room, use a large air purifier.

2. Air purifier certification: what does it mean?

You’ll be able to tell if your air purifier is Energy Star certified by looking for the logo. Air filters must run all day long and take into account how much energy it uses while shopping. So 40% more efficient than standard models makes this certification worth paying attention to!

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers has a certification program for air purifiers, and some models have been tested. The seal on these appliances shows that they meet clean-air delivery rates as well the room size guidelines from AHAM‘s voluntary testing procedure.

The CADR is an important measure of how effectively a purifier cleanses the air. The higher the number, the faster your home or office will be cleaned. For example, 250 would mean that over time dust particle levels would go down to what they are at 250 fpm. This means you will have less of a need to clean your house or office because it is being done quickly and easily!

In our tests, a room air purifier with HEPA filters often achieves the highest CADR. In fact, we have found that some of these types can get up to an Excellent rating! Ratings from 240-180 are given Very Well, and 180 – 120 are considered Good, while anything less than 60 earns a Poor grade.

If you’re living with a smoker or use the fireplace regularly, choose an air purifier that’s rated for high CADR to reduce their tobacco smoke. Otherwise, there are other factors such as dust and pollen to take into consideration when determining what filters would work best in your home!

3. By filtration

One of the most important components of an air purifier is its filters. Filters allow viruses, allergens, and contaminants to pass through them while blocking others from coming into contact with your lungs. Over time this can wear down even one filter until there are no more effective at getting rid of harmful substances like PM2-5s or pollen spores! That’s why it pays off for the best machines that have multiple types on hand, so you never need to worry about running low.

There are different types of air filters. Some are better at catching larger particles than smaller ones. Others may be stronger killers, but they shy away from things like smoke. It’s important to know which machine you’re using can handle before purchasing because some may be overkill for smaller air pollutants.

There are different types of filters. They are:

The HEPA filter (for High-Efficiency Particulate Air ): 

The most common filter in air purifiers is the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate Arrestance) filter. This type of material is specially made for the medical sector. It can remove small particles that are 0.3 microns or smaller across, like pollen allergens and dust mite dander. But it cannot get rid of other things, like pollution from cars on highways–even though viruses can slip through this way too!

The filter is really good. It’s around 99.97% efficient, which isn’t easy to do. You should change the filter every 6 months or 18 months if you want it to work as well as possible. This filter can be really expensive. It can cost up to $200, but it usually costs less than $80.

The activated carbon filter:

Depending on the purifier models, the activated carbon beads or powder used in this filter can be great to stop bad smells. They also imprison any pollution molecules for you. So it is not released into your home’s air conditioning system-this way, they will stay captured until ready when needed again!

Furthermore, these filters effectively stop gaseous pollutants from spreading throughout a building, making them perfect if there’s ever been an issue with VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). They are effective against fine dust, with the capability of blocking even particles as small as 0.1 microns.

Activated carbon gets saturated faster than pleated filters and requires replacement more frequently. However, buying a filter every six months at $50 is cheaper than changing the one type every 12 months. You might not think about this when you make your budget decisions.

Combination of the HEPA and the activated carbon filter:

Some air purifiers have a combination of filters. When you use these, you can get high-quality filtration and also absorb bad smells. This means that there is no better way than this type if you want your house or apartment smelling fresh all day long!

The pre-filter:

This filter is made of pleated material. It traps big particles that might clog the HEPA or carbon filters. Most particles are too small to get through these filters. The pre-filter traps the large particles before they can reach your other two air filters. This way, you can make sure that the pre-filter doesn’t clog and reduce the effectiveness of your other filters.

You should change the pre-filter about twice a year or more frequently if you suffer from allergies or asthma. As it’s generally quite affordable, we recommend that you replace this filter once every 3 months to maintain optimal performance from the purifier. The pleated technology used in the pre-filter is very cost-effective and is around $10 a piece.

Ozone generators:

These are a little bit less common for purifying at home, although they’re extremely popular in commercial buildings and public spaces. These devices can be a little more expensive to buy, but they also improve the air quality inside of your room. They can remove substances such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde from the air.

They generate ozone which acts as an oxidizing agent which traps air pollutants. Ozone generators are not good for homes with children or pregnant women. These people can get sick. Ozone generators also hurt pets too so they should never be used in a home with pets.

A filter needs to be replaced every 6 months. The cost of the filter is $70-$100, and it can be expensive if you do not have an air purifier.

Ozone is linked to health issues. It can affect your lungs and make you cough or have chest pain or inflammation in your lungs. It might also make asthma worse, emphysema, and bronchitis.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI):

UVGI air purifier technology can effectively kill airborne viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. However, it only works when the UV light exposure lasts long enough for these organisms’ DNA or proteins in their cells that bind with our own, causing us harm (such as through sunburns).

Some types of fungus are not affected by this type of treatment because they are resistant to certain wavelengths. For example, UVC rays which would only go into 1-2 inches from where you stand if you’re close (UVMax).

UV light is effective against some harmful organisms, so it’s used in hospitals and dental offices to kill bacteria. You can use these filters at home, but they are usually expensive.

The filter needs to be replaced every 12 months at the cost of $100-$150.

UV light can cause skin cancer. However, it is limited to the wavelengths that kill bacteria and viruses. It cannot penetrate past 1-2 inches but can cause skin damage.

Please be aware that different types of filters and purifiers are available. So do your research before you buy to ensure the best quality for your money.

The most important thing is to protect your family’s health through continuous filtration. So try to choose the best fit for your home and remember to replace the filters as needed.

Photocatalytic oxidation: 

PCO uses ultraviolet light and photocatalysts to turn into hydroxyl radicals that can remove gaseous pollutants. When a pollutant is exposed to heat, it can create harmful byproducts. These are ozone, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.CR does not test the effectiveness of PCO technology.

There are not many studies about the effectiveness of these air purifiers. But one study at Syracuse University in New York found that they did not work to remove VOCs in the indoor air.

By combustion

The impure air is drawn into the purifier by convection. It is heated to 200 ° C (392 ° F), which makes it pure. The air passes through a chamber that is cool before it enters the room. Almost all biological pollutants (bacteria, mold, and other things) are removed through this technique, but not chemical pollutants. This is a procedure that takes lots of time.

It is most successful in small settings. It’s worth noting that combustion air purifiers raise the surrounding temperature and can also create ozone, which has a distinct odor at times.

There are many various types of air filters available on the market. Some may be more suitable for you than others. The EPA does not make recommendations on what type of filter to use, but they offer advice on picking the right one. We followed this advice when picking out a filter, and it is important to consider their suggestions before buying a filter.

 4. Cost of replacement filters: 

Air purifiers have different filters that need to be replaced at different times; some models will tell you when to change which filter. Others you need to guess or replace filters at intervals.

While this is not a deal-breaker, it is important to consider this if you have a busy schedule or prefer to keep your house as clean as possible. The price of filters varies considerably: According to our research, the prices of large air purifiers range from $20 to more than $200 each.

5. Cleaning capacity: 

How dirty an air purifier gets over time is another thing to consider. If you want your filter to stay clean, then don’t get one that is hard to clean or has a small opening for filter replacement.

Make sure you keep the filters cleaned at all times because this will prevent dust and other allergens from building up.

6. Indoor air quality: 

The quality of indoor air can often be affected by factors such as pets, dust mites, cooking fumes, and smoke. A good purifier will come with multiple settings for different types of pollutants. For example, one could have separate settings for pet allergens, cooking fumes, or tobacco smoke.

Or, if you have allergies and asthma, you want a purifier that will help with these problems. You want one that targets allergens like household dust, pollen, and pet dander.

7. Efficiency/ Energy efficiency: 

As it is mentioned above, the efficiency of air purifiers is measured by CADR. However, there are multiple other parameters that can be used to measure air purifiers.

For example, you could look for the energy efficiency of an air purifier as determined by Energy Star or similar testing. Energy Star rates appliances based on their performance in the energy-efficient range, not in the ‘least-efficient range.

8. CADR–How is filtration measured?

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a measure of how well your home’s air purifier can filter out particles from the living space. It measures the size of particles that can be removed in one cubic foot. It also tells you how many molecules of all sizes and degrees you are removing with your machine per minute.

The rating for a filter is based on the size of the particles that it can catch. Small particles are caught by a 1-micron filter, medium particles are caught by a 3-micron filter, and large particles are caught by a 5-micron filter.

To know what CADR rating you need, take into account the size and type of room that will be filtered. The higher this number is for both factors combined, the more particles can potentially be removed from an area with each passing second as well!

The CADR rating system is used to measure the efficiency of residential air pollution filtering systems. The industrial version of this is called MERV (minimum efficiency reporting values), and it ranges from 1-16. The higher the number, the better the filtration power of their home or business.

9. Power regulation 

The power adjustment of your air purifier is one setting that can make a big difference in how well it works. You’ll want to be careful and tweak this control manually or with the remote, depending on what kind you have!

This will affect when an inner fan starts running. So it’s important not just to set correctly at first but also periodically as needed throughout use for best results!

10. Timer 

The best air purifiers have a timer that lets you set how long the unit should run after switching it on. This is useful for knowing when to turn off, so your house doesn’t get overly warm or stuffy from all of those machines running around at once!

11. Air quality sensor 

The air quality sensor monitors your environment when the purifier is in operation, and it associates this detection with a visual signal. The LED turns red if you’re having trouble breathing because of pollution or other hazardous agents- so don’t worry!

An app helps you see how clean the air is. If it’s green, it’s good. Yellow means that some people might get sick from the air, but not all will. Orange means that some people are getting too much bad air and need to change things quickly.

Finally, violet signifies high concentrations likely resulting from industrial sources such as vehicles running their engines night & day).

12. Smart functions 

For those who want to take their home environment into account, there is an app for that. You can now use a special smartphone app to control your appliances and devices at home.

You just have to press on the app, and you can turn them on or off, change the airflow, or see what is going on in the house. The best part? You’ll also have access to set timers so all work together seamlessly without any hassle from one another.

13. Energy consumption 

As far as the power consumption of an air purifier is concerned, you want to go for one that will save the most money. This is important because the more your purifier costs, the more you’ll be spending on electricity to run it.

As with any appliance that uses a lot of electricity, the best air purifiers are Energy Star rated. Energy Star is a measurement that makes your appliance use energy more efficiently – so it will run for longer but not cost you any more to do so.

14. Noise: How much noise does it make?

The noise quality of an air purifier is also another factor to consider. Although the air purifiers are efficient in removing the contaminants from the air, they also produce a sound while doing so. Best to look for an air purifier with good noise reduction features and low sound pollution so as not to disturb the entire household.

The good news is that the best air purifiers always include a night mode, designed to lower emissions and allow us to sleep peacefully. The 40 dB (dB) reference value corresponds with low noise levels. But it’s important for you to know about power consumption rates when running at idle or under load. Suppose your model outputs 20 dB while idling in summertime conditions.

In that case, this means there will be no problem whatsoever operating one all day long without needing more than 60 watts of electricity!

15. Budget: How much money do you have?

The price of an air purifier varies over time, so it’s important to pay attention to the current market position. One thing’s for sure: air purifiers are pricey, but if you’re serious about your health, then it is worth every penny!

So you want to get a reliable air purifier but don’t have too much money? In this case, you should be looking for the best air purifier under 100. This way you’ll get a good model, but still have money left to pay for other utilities or just give yourself a treat.

16. Warranty: Choose a longer one!

The warranty period of an air purifier is important because it shows you how long a manufacturer is willing to stand by its product. The longer the warranty, the better you can feel about your purchase.

17. Safety: Child & Pet safety

Another thing to consider is the safety of your home, especially if you have children or pets that could accidentally touch the air purifier.

Most air purifiers are safe for kids and pets because they don’t have sharp edges that could cause you harm. However, some air purifiers do include blades to help circulate the air, which you may want to opt out of if you have a baby or toddler at home.

These are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new air purifier. Take the time to think about each one and you’ll definitely find the best air purifier for your home.

18. After-Sale Service: Reputed Brands Only

The after-sale service is a very crucial feature of the air purifiers. You should be looking for a brand that offers after-sale service and not those which do not offer this service. If you are looking for the best air purifier brands in India or looking for detailed information on their respective air purifiers, you will need to ensure that the company offers the after-sale service. The best air purifiers are those that have excellent after-sale service. Any brand which has a good customer care service or helpline number is to be preferred.

19. Look for extra filters: they’re important!

Some air purifiers don’t come with filters included. In this case, you should try to buy a model that comes with extra filters, because more filters mean cleaner air for a longer period of time.

20. Your neighborhood: Is it polluted?

Depending on where you live, your personal environment will have a different level of pollution.

If you live in a city with heavy pollution, then you should go for an advanced air purifier that has a higher particulate matter (PM) rating.

The lower the PM rate, the better, so you should opt for a high-quality air purifier instead of just any model that comes your way.

21. Check customer reviews: Verified buyers only!

If you want the best air purifier, check customer reviews. The information provided by verified customers are more reliable. If you check online, there are many websites that provide these details for free. So one can prefer to check the customer reviews before buying an air purifier that comes at reasonable price tags with high-quality filters.

22. Brand: What brand do you trust?

In order to find the best air purifier, you should know about the features and the brand. Do some research on well-known producers and their products. Every good brand has a good reputation for producing quality appliances that last long and delivers what it promises (no more, no less).

If your budget is generous, you might even be able to afford a few different purifiers from different brands to find the best one.

23. Type Of pollutants: What do you need to clean?

Allergens such as dander and dead skin, pet hair, pollen, and some chemicals will be efficiently removed by all purifiers. However, some models are more suited to the removal of smoke and other gases such as formaldehyde or VOCs.

If you have a baby or pet at home, this might be relevant to your purchase so you can double-check which pollutants are removed by the different purifiers.

24. Maintenance: How much time do you have?

This is often overlooked, but it can make all the difference when choosing the perfect unit. There are models that require more maintenance than others–such as filters that need to be replaced every 6-12 months. Some air purifiers can get rid of this extra work, but the downside is that they are more expensive.

If you don’t want to be spending money on filters every 6 months, choose an air purifier with long-lasting filters. Some of them can last up to 6 months, while others even come with lifetime filters!

25. Ozone Free: Is it safe?

Modern air purifiers that are designed to produce ions don’t need any additional filters, but some of them can–by mistake–expose the environment to ozone. This is harmful to the human body, but it can be dangerous for any electronic appliances running in the same room.

If you want to ensure that your purifier is ozone-free, check for this information on the manual or box. There should be a label that states the purifier is guaranteed not to produce any harmful gas, so it’s safe for you, your family, and even pets!

The EPA claims that ionizing air purifiers are not as efficient as HEPA filters in removing particles and that ozone does not remove air molecules.

Is it worth the money?

All the above-mentioned factors are important, but none of them is more crucial than this one.

Make sure you’re getting a fair deal for your money, without paying more than necessary for the features you need.

If you’re spending a few hundred dollars on an air purifier, you should be getting the most out of your money.

The best air purifiers in the USA are those that offer efficient cleaning and high-quality parts with lower price tags.

Conclusion

Now that you have all the information you need about how to choose an air purifier, do not wait. Follow this air purifier buying guide, and your research will be much easier. Now you know what the best air purifiers are on the market today, depending on your budget, but also on whatever else is important to you like design, and more. Do not wait any longer, and start shopping for your air purifier today!

Air pollution, including indoor and outdoor, is an important environmental factor that we should all be aware of. According to the environmental protection agency, over 88% of Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of harmful pollutants, and this number will continue to rise if we stop taking action. Air pollution is often referred to by many names, including air contamination, air poisoning, and indoor air quality issues.

It can affect everyone in your home or business; even healthy adults and children may experience temporary symptoms from breathing polluted air. You should start thinking about purchasing an air purifier right away if you are suffering from the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Chemical sensitivities
• Respiratory infections
• Colds and flu symptoms
• Snoring or other sleep disruptions caused by breathing problems at night Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Respiratory diseases like cystic fibrosis
• COPD or emphysema
• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Bladder cancer
• Liver disease.

Now that you have decided it is time to purchase an air purifier, many different types are on the market. It can be overwhelming at first, but by following this guide, you will find exactly what type of air purifier is right for your needs.

Now that you know how to choose the best air purifier, the only thing that is left to do now actually buys an air purifier. It is time to breathe clean and healthy air!