Gain some insight into what makes an air purifier effective.
Any purchase of an air filter system is an investment in a product that will serve you in the long term, so it's worth investing in a system that suits your specific needs. So if you're thinking about buying one, there's a few things you should consider before making your choice.
To find the system that's right for you, you need to be sure it has the right kinds of filters, that suits your personal needs. So first, ask yourself: what do you need to remove from the air?
If you're looking for a system to filter out ultra fine dust and allergen particles, such as mould spores, dust mites and pet dander, you'll want a system that features medical-grade HEPA filtration.
HEPA filters use an extremely fine-threaded paper to capture these particles, and the more filter material a system has, the more effective it will be.
You'll also want a good pre-filter, to catch the larger particles before they reach the main HEPA filter, as this will increase its lifespan by up to 10 times. Air purifiers without pre-filters typically require HEPA filter replacement every 6 months, which will get expensive over time.
If you're looking for a system to catch and contain chemical vapors, such as car exhaust, cigarette smoke, building materials, toxic mould, fungus, and mildew, you'll want a high-capacity activated carbon filter in your system. The tightly-packed carbon molecules naturally absorb these chemicals, not only removing harmful chemical and organic compounds, but also freshening the air that passes through them.
Many systems will include either a HEPA or a carbon filter, but some come equipped with both, providing you with a full spread of air purification. And as with many appliances, more *is* better; as a system is only as good as the filters inside.
No matter what types of filters a system contains, larger filters, especially those with airtight seals, ensure that all unwanted particles are filtered out in a single cycle, whereas most home air purifiers tend to cut corners by featuring small, loosely-fitting filters, which allow a large amount of particles to pass through unfiltered.
Another thing to consider is a system's electrical consumption. As a device that's intended to be working 24/7, you'll want a system that's made with a good-quality, energy-efficient fan, so that it adds as little as possible to your electric bill. Buying a cheap system may save you a few dollars now, but will end up costing you more over time.
And finally, there's the noise factor. Many systems will hum, vibrate or rattle, especially after continued use, if they're made with plastics.
So! Take a close look at WHAT you need filtered from your air- and make sure you look for systems with the largest filter sheets possible, in terms of a HEPA filter's square metres, and at how much activated carbon it has. And given that it's an air purifier, you want to make sure it's made from safe materials, so it doesn't outgas any of its own chemicals or toxins into your environment.
When you look at it, an air purifier is an important investment; unlike other appliances, it's a device which will improve the quality of your life, by improving the quality of the air you breathe, every day, so choose wisely.