A Guide to Indoor Air Purifiers
Get the lowdown on air filtration systems for your house and the important ratings to look out for
If you have allergies or asthma, or are sensitive to pollution, you may have considered purchasing an air purifier to clean the air inside your home. With so many types of filtration systems on the market, it can be hard to know where to begin. Check out this quick guide to home air purifiers to figure out which are worth the cost.
Purify Your Home, Not Just the Air
Air purifiers can do wonders for removing particulate matter from the air; the problem is that dust, pet dander and the like don’t stay in the air for long. Allergens drift to the ground and become embedded in rugs and soft furnishings – places an air purifier cannot reach. A combination approach will reduce indoor air pollution and allergens more than any one method alone. Here are a few strategies to try:
Air purifiers can do wonders for removing particulate matter from the air; the problem is that dust, pet dander and the like don’t stay in the air for long. Allergens drift to the ground and become embedded in rugs and soft furnishings – places an air purifier cannot reach. A combination approach will reduce indoor air pollution and allergens more than any one method alone. Here are a few strategies to try:
- Remove wall-to-wall carpeting; go for easy-to-clean hard flooring and washable area rugs.
- Vacuum and dust with a microfibre cloth regularly.
- Ban smoking in and around the house.
- Do use the exhaust fans over the stove and in the bathroom.
- Establish a no-shoes policy.
How Air Purifiers Work
There are a few different types of air purifiers on the market, and not all of them are especially effective or safe. It is important to know what you are buying, so read the fine print on your air purifier before purchasing. The main thing to check is how the purifier cleans the air. It will likely use one or more of these methods:
There are a few different types of air purifiers on the market, and not all of them are especially effective or safe. It is important to know what you are buying, so read the fine print on your air purifier before purchasing. The main thing to check is how the purifier cleans the air. It will likely use one or more of these methods:
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter: This is the most common and one of the most effective methods available.
- Activated carbon: Usually used with a HEPA filter or another filter, activated carbon can help reduce pollution by attracting some chemicals, which bond to the surface of the carbon.
- Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners: These use a UV light to kill viruses, bacteria, allergens and some moulds. UVGI cleaners may not reduce allergy or asthma symptoms, because typical home cleaners have limited effectiveness.
- Electrostatic precipitators: Particles entering the purifier are given a charge and then trapped on oppositely charged plates. These machines create a small amount of ozone, which is a lung irritant and pollutant itself, so this type of purifier is probably best avoided.
When to Choose a Portable Room Purifier
Room purifiers are a good choice for smaller spaces, and multiple units can be used to clean the air even in a larger home. They are portable, so they are a good solution for renters.
Room purifiers are a good choice for smaller spaces, and multiple units can be used to clean the air even in a larger home. They are portable, so they are a good solution for renters.
Get to Know the Rating Systems
Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) tells how efficiently they pull particles from the air. MERV values range from 1 to 20; a system rated 7 or higher is about as effective as a HEPA filter. True HEPA filters, which have MERV values of 17 to 20, are not typically installed in HVAC systems. However, some newer homes may be specially designed with in-duct HEPA filtration.
Apart from air purifiers, get to know about plants too, that clean the air
Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) tells how efficiently they pull particles from the air. MERV values range from 1 to 20; a system rated 7 or higher is about as effective as a HEPA filter. True HEPA filters, which have MERV values of 17 to 20, are not typically installed in HVAC systems. However, some newer homes may be specially designed with in-duct HEPA filtration.
Apart from air purifiers, get to know about plants too, that clean the air
When shopping for a portable air purifier, look for a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of at least 250, but the higher the better. This is a voluntary system developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), so not all appliances have a CADR.
An Energy Star label on any air purifier indicates better energy efficiency but does not necessarily mean it is more effective – so also be sure to check the MERV or CADR rating.
Want to be really sure your air purifier is doing its job? Look for the AHAM Verifide mark on your portable air cleaner, which indicates that the manufacturer’s claims have been independently tested and certified.
Tell us:
Do you use an air purifier at home – for allergies, asthma or other reasons? If so, have you noticed a difference? Share what works for you in the Comments.
Read more:
Fighting Pollution: How to Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
An Energy Star label on any air purifier indicates better energy efficiency but does not necessarily mean it is more effective – so also be sure to check the MERV or CADR rating.
Want to be really sure your air purifier is doing its job? Look for the AHAM Verifide mark on your portable air cleaner, which indicates that the manufacturer’s claims have been independently tested and certified.
Tell us:
Do you use an air purifier at home – for allergies, asthma or other reasons? If so, have you noticed a difference? Share what works for you in the Comments.
Read more:
Fighting Pollution: How to Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
Indoor air pollution comes from a combination of particulate matter (dust, mould, pet dander and particles from smoke and cooking stoves) and gaseous pollutants (vehicle exhaust, smoke and chemical fumes) and can be far worse than the pollution outside, simply because it has no way to dissipate.
Those who suffer from asthma or allergies can be especially sensitive to air quality, and using an air purifier could be helpful, together with other methods of keeping out pollution and allergens.