What Is The Difference In Air Purifiers?
The main reason for purchasing an air purifier is probably your health. It may be to preserve good health, or it may be to help family members who have allergies, asthma or other breathing difficulties. If you or your family suffers from allergies you are well aware that different allergies present different threats. That means the allergies or other health issue you are trying to deal with may dictate a different type of air purifier. For that reason it is important you purchase an air purifier based on your needs, not simply by a rating or review of the product.
Some of the more popular air purifiers are UV, Ozone generators, Ion generators, electronic (or electrostatic), and HEPA types. Some of the more popular brands are Air-O-Swiss, Blueair, Allerair, IQAir, Ionic Breeze and Friedrich.
UV, which stands for Ultraviolet light is a form of air purifier that has limited value. It kills microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. Unless it is used with another type of air purifier, it does nothing for smoke and other harmful gasses or particulates. Some reputable brands include UV technology along with other forms of air purifier technology, and that is a plus.
Ozone generators work by using three Oxygen atoms, which is an unstable molecule. If you remember from your high school chemistry classes, Oxygen wants to be two molecules together (O2), not three (O3). The oxygen molecules will chemically combine with many particulates in the air. Keep in mind that Federal regulations are strict in terms of how much Ozone people can be exposed to. It can be dangerous.
Smaller air purifiers are sometimes Ion generator air purifiers. They work by producing an electrical charge on particulates. The electrical charge causes the particulates to stick to whatever they come in contact with. They work well, but they do have a few draw backs. They do not have fans, so they don’t move air. Another issue is the particulates tend to stick to the walls and other objects near the air purifier, causing them to become very dirty. It is also reported that they do produce a certain level of potentially dangerous Ozone.
One specific brand of air purifier operates on basically the same principle as the Ion generator. It employs electronically charged plates within the unit that attract particulates. The particulates only stick to the plates, not to the walls and other objects in the room. The only negative is they do not have a fan and do not move any substantial volume of air.
Other manufacturers have products that are similar to the charged plate air purifier. This type of technology is the electronic or electrostatic type. This technology is not new. It has been around for a long time, and it is most likely the best answer for allergy sufferers. It is not your best choice for asthma and some other breathing issues. The major difference with this version of the charged plate technology is they do have fans and they do move larger volumes of air.
The final type of air purifier is HEPA. HEPA is the best answer for asthma victims. It is also one of the most effective for odor removal. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Arresting. It is a filtration system. With each of the systems there are some drawbacks. With HEPA the filters can not be cleaned, and have to be replaced regularly. They tend to be pricey and finally, they tend to be somewhat noisy.
Why HEPA Air Filters?
According to the American Lung Association, the HEPA filter is the most efficient filter for removing small particles that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. For this reason, we offer HEPA-type air filters exclusively because we believe that they provide the best way to remove irritating particles from the air you breathe.
To qualify as a HEPA air filter, an air filter must meet the government standard of removing 99.97% of all particles greater than .3 microns from the air that passes through the machine. Ozone-type machines may actually cause asthma attacks and similar respiratory problems, without even removing the particulates. Electrostatic air filters lose efficiency as soon as they are used and must be constantly cleaned.
Why Carbon?
The activated carbon blends in our air filters collect dangerous fumes and keeps them from irritating your lungs. This material also absorbs odors generated by pets, mildew, cooking, construction materials, art studios, and more. Whether you just want clean-smelling air or are fighting the ravages of Multiple Chemical Sensitivies, the carbon components in our air filters will improve your environment and safeguard your health.
Why Ultraviolet Bulbs?
Some air purifiers have ultraviolet bulbs in addition to the HEPA and carbon components. The UV will kill biological agents that can even pass through the HEPA filter. Ultraviolet light has been shown to kill mold, viruses, bacteria, fungus, protozoa and yeasts. UV radiation will kill airborne mold spores that are thought to be the cause of Sick Building Syndrome. Air filters with UV can as control cold and flu viruses that circulate in offices, schools, daycare centers, etc. UV can add an extra level of protection for those with compromised immune systems.
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Why Dehumidify?
Two of the largest sources of allergens in the home are dust mites and mold spores. Common symptoms to dust mites are sneezing, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, itchy, and watery eyes and asthma attacks. Mold can cause even more serious health hazards such as coughing, wheezing, running eyes/nose, skin rashes and muscular aches, loss of appetite, inability to concentrate and fatigue.
Both dust mites and mold spores thrive in humid environments and neither can survive for long when the relative humidity is reduced to 50%. If you have a problem with dampness in your home or basement and want to get rid of dust mites, mold, and the mildewy odor that accompanies the moisture, look for the good quality Dehumidifiers.
Any air filtration system needed in such as application must include three elements: Filtration to remove airborne particulates, filtration to remove chemical contamimation, and an germicidal element to kill biological pathogens including viruses, bacteria and mold.
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Your selection of an air purifier should be based a few simple factors. What are your needs? How large the area is you want to clean the air in? What, if any, health issues are you trying to address? Is noise an issue to you? Consider ease of cleaning the unit. And last, but not least, consider your budget.
Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/362691/What+Is+The+Difference+In+Air+Purifiers%3f.html