What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier

Your indoor air quality has a direct impact on your overall health and well-being, so it’s important to make sure that it is as clean and pure as outdoor. An air purifier can help to remove harmful airborne contaminants from your home, making it a healthier place to live.

When choosing an air purifier, there are several things you should keep in mind.

1. Think Why You Need An Air Purifier

First and foremost, you need to decide why you want an air purifier. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, then an air purifier can help to reduce symptoms by removing allergens and other irritants from the air.

If you live in an area with poor air quality due to smog, wildfires, or other environmental factors, an air purifier can also help to improve the quality of your indoor air.

2. What Size Do You Need?

The size of the air purifier you need will depend on the square footage of the room or area you want to purify. Most air purifiers will list the maximum square footage they can effectively purify, so be sure to choose one that is appropriate for the space you want to use it in.

3. What Type of Filter Do You Need?

Air purifiers come with a variety of different types of filters, each designed to remove specific types of contaminants from the air. There are generally four types of filters used in air purifiers: HEPA filters, Carbon filters, PECO-Filter, and Ionizers.

HEPA Filters

The most common type of filter is a HEPA filter, which can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

If you or a family member suffers from allergies, you may want to choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter and an additional activated carbon filter to help remove odors and gases from the air.

Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are effective at removing odors, gases, and chemicals from the air. They work by adsorbing contaminants onto their surfaces, much like a sponge absorbs water.

Pairing a carbon filter with a HEPA filter can provide even better results, as the two types of filters complement each other well.

PECO-Filter

PECO-Filter is a newer technology that uses an electrochemical process to break down contaminants at a molecular level. This makes it effective at removing even the smallest particles from the air, including viruses and bacteria.

Ionizers

Ionizers work by charging airborne particles so they stick to surfaces like walls and ceilings, where they can be vacuumed up or wiped away.

While ionizers are effective at removing particles from the air, they can also create ozone as a by-product of the ionization process. Ozone is a harmful gas that can irritate your lungs, so it’s important to choose an ionizer that also has a built-in filter to remove ozone from the air.

3. What Other Features Should You Look for?

When choosing an air purifier, there are a few other features you may want to keep in mind.

If you have pets, you might want to pick an air purifier that has a filter made especially to filter out pet dander from the air.

Some air purifiers come with features like timers and automatic settings that allow you to set them to run only when needed, which can help to save energy.

You may also want to choose an air purifier that is specifically designed for use in a specific type of room, such as a bedroom or nursery. These types of air purifiers often come with features like white noise generators to help you sleep more soundly.

4. Where to Put Air Purifier in The Room

Once you’ve decided on the right air purifier for your needs, you need to choose the best location for it in the room.

Ideally, you want to place the air purifier in the center of the room so that it can evenly distribute clean air throughout the space.

If you have a smaller room, you may want to place the air purifier near an open window to help improve airflow. In a larger room, you may need to use more than one air purifier to effectively purify the air.

5. How Much Maintenance Does Your Air Purifier Require?

Air purifiers require very little maintenance. Most air purifiers come with pre-filters that need to be replaced every few months, and the main filter will need to be replaced every 12 to 18 months.

Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how often to replace the filters in your air purifier so that you can keep it running effectively.

6. Is it Ease to Use?

You also need to choose one that is easy to use. Look for an air purifier with simple controls and an indicator light that lets you know when the filter needs to be replaced.

Some air purifiers come with remote controls, which can be very convenient. And if you have a smart home, you may be able to control your air purifier with your voice using a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo.

7. Noise Level

Some air purifiers can be quite noisy, so if you are looking for an air purifier for a bedroom or other room where you want to reduce noise, be sure to choose one that has a low noise level.

8. Cost of Filter Replacement

Be sure to check the cost of replacement filters before you buy an air purifier. You may need to change the filter more often if you have pets or live in an area with poor air quality. 

Some filters can be very expensive, and you don’t want to be stuck with an air purifier that is difficult or expensive to maintain.

9. Energy Efficiency Rating

The higher the energy efficiency rating, the lower the operating costs will be. So, if you are looking for an air purifier that is easy on your budget, be sure to choose one that has a high energy efficiency rating.

10. Warranty and Customer Service

It’s also a good idea to check the warranty and customer service options before you buy an air purifier. Most air purifiers come with a one-year warranty, but some may offer more.

And if you have any questions or problems with your air purifier, you want to be sure that you can easily get in touch with customer service.

Final Thought

An air purifier can be a great way to improve the quality of your indoor air and reduce allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. 

When choosing one, be sure to consider why you need one, which type of filter is suitable for you, where you put it, the size, and other features. You also need to think the maintenance, is it easy to use, noise level, cost of filter replacement, energy efficiency, warranty and customer service.

Hope this guide will help you choose the right air purifier for your needs so that you can breathe easier and enjoy cleaner air in your home.