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Are you worried about the air quality in the places where you spend most of your time?
For the majority of the population that works or manages a family, it seems too much of our days are spent indoors: either inside our homes or confined to air conditioned, or heated, office environments.
Well, the fact is, indoor air can be stale, polluted and otherwise unhealthy.
For that reason, the urge to breathe healthy, we’ve sent a few of our experts to market–both online and off–to find out what we need to consider when looking to purchase an air filtration system.
Because we’ve become so accustomed to polluted indoor air, once experienced, clean air on a regular basis can improve your mood and improve other aspects of your life.
We’ve searched far and wide, figuring out for you everything you’d be wise to consider when making an investment that can have only a positive upside for your piece of mind and day-to-day vigor.
An increased flow of oxygen, the primary element we all need from fresh air, has been proven to energize and it’s healthier than a cup of coffee.
But, the question then arises, how can we improve the H2O levels in our homes?
Luckily in 2017 sources to buy air purifiers are near at hand.
You’re in the right place reading this right now because you won’t find anywhere better than shopping online for the variety of choices available and the convenience to get the perfect purifier for your needs.
Moreover, sources for air cleaners have risen because of interest in living healthy in cities with smoggy environments added to the traditional demand created by the unfortunate millions of people who are allergic to things like pollen, pet dander and other irritants blowing around in the atmosphere.
For the above reasons, the clean air industry is booming. And, as in all growth trends, consumer demand attracts new producers as competition heats up, which, for the consumer, can make shopping for a trusted air machine that will deliver as advertised a tasking activity, especially if this is your first time shopping for a best rated purifier. The first thing to do is pat yourself on the back, you’ve come to the right place for expert recommendations. So, lets get down to business and a look at the different factors you should evaluate when shopping.
Types of Air Purifiers
Air filtration is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy home that is free from allergies but choosing one that is effective may seem a challenging task. You need a quality air cleaner if you desire better indoor fresh air. Besides eliminating dirt and other particles from the air, air purifiers also reduce asthma and airborne allergens that causes respiratory issues. The type of air filter in the air cleaner determines how the air purifier operates. The below table reviews the most common type of air filter and gives you a broader picture of how most filters work. The type of air filter in your air cleaner is important because it determines how the air purifier operates. Reviewing the options below will give you a broader picture of how some of the air filters work.
Electrostatic Air Filter
This type of filter is designed to clean the entire volume of air of every room in your house. Electrostatic air filters use electrostatic charges to freshen the the air in your home. The air, first, flows through the HVAC system. Next, the air circulates through the electrostatic air filter where particles that tend to cause irritations are eliminated. This filter erases the worry of filter replacement since most of the cleaners attract pollutants using collection plates, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain effective air cleaning.
We do not recommend electrostatic filters because they release ozone, which is a harmful lung irritant that can provoke respiratory complications.
Filterless Air Purifier, a.k.a Electronic Air Filter
With a filter free air purifier you do not need to replace the filter. By using this type of air purifier, you get to enjoy fresh smell of air. It is ideal for using at night since its produces minimal noise. Although it may seem a good idea to purchase this purifier, there are some drawbacks.
Certain filterless air purifiers usually use electronic charge to trap the particles in the air and make them heavy so that they fall to the floor where they need to bea cleaned up. Others utilize a charged plate, which works by attracting particles to the plate and with this the cleaning needs to be done periodically; the metallic plate requires to be thoroughly cleaned more often or else it won’t be able to work properly. Many researchers state ozone to be unhealthy yet it is one of the by-product of most of the filterless air purifiers. For this reason, as with the first overview above, we do not recommend that you go with a filterless electronic air filter unless it is an Ozone-Safe Ionizer because of the ozone danger.
Charcoal Air Filter
Charcoal air filters operate by absorbing odors and gases in the air. The best odor eliminating purifiers usual have activated charcoal pre-filter or as the main unit, these filters also remove volatile organic compounds from the air. Such compounds when yet inhale over a period can lead to cancer. If volatile compounds are a hazard in your household, then make sure your purifier has activated charcoal as part of its system.
The best thing with this filter is that it literally pulls other chemicals to it. After the chemicals are attracted to the air filter, they become trapped in the porous surface of the the carbon. The carbon absorbs most of the harmful gases and toxins from the air and changes the molecularly. An added benefit, is this removes the need of replacing the filter in your air purifier frequently. The only minor drawback with active filters is the air filter cannot be reused once it is full; it needs replacement with a new filter. Replacing is more costly than cleaning or washing yet this prevents pollutants from landing in your home environment during the cleaning process.
Air Purifier with Washable Filter
This type of purifier can be reused since it can be washed. It can last for a couple of years before needing a replacement and it protects your furnace motor. In addition, it traps large particles that can irritate you and your loved ones.
However, on the contrary, it is costly and comes with high maintenance needs. Another drawback is that it is inadequate when it comes to trapping small particles, and during the cleaning process the trapped particles can be unleashed and can end up contaminating your home. Although washable filters tend to be expensive compared to the disposable fiberglass type (see HEPA) ; so, if you don’t mind the maintenance and know how to properly clean these kinds of filters without rereleasing the trapped toxins back into the environment then these filters can be a great deal because you will not need to purchase a new filter every month. You will only have to take the effort and make the time wash it.
Top 5 Air Purifier Reviews with HEPA Filters
Alen BreatheSmart Customizable Air Purifier with HEPA-Pure Filter for Allergies and Dust
The Alen® BreatheSmart came out on top for the quietest air purifier amongst the highest rated purifiers we investigated. When surveying a group of purifier shoppers, a complaint that keeps arising about the best cheap air purifier was the noise it made. So, most people opt to pay a a bit more and get a unit that doesn’t cause undo sound.
Besides the whisper like operation of the BreathSmart, it is also an excellent option as one of the most recommended air purifiers for allergies because it has a “SmartSensor” that reacts to allergens in the airflow. What the sensor actually does is it reacts to the dynamic levels of irritants in the environment and automatically adjusts the flow of air current across its membrane when there are pollutants detected in the environment. For an extensive review of the Alen® BreatheSmart click here.
Hunter 408940 True HEPA Console Air Purifier
The Hunter 408940 True HEPA Console Air Purifier with HEPA Filter is the perfect air room purifier for a medium size apartment or small room.
This air purifier helps to get rid of dust, pet dander, smoke for cigarettes, molds, plant pollen and small fabric fibers. With this kind of technology in your apartment, you’ll never have to worry about breathing toxic air again.
Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA Air Purifier
Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA Air Purifier is a great choice small home owner. The innovative round design of this device allows for a full 360-degrees of airflow. Add to that unique characteristic a carbon pre-filtration system and you can see why we chose this model.
Sharp KC-860U Plasmacluster air purifier
If your looking for a top of the line, first class, air purifier with auto pollutant detection, unbeatable energy consumption and equipped with a humidifier too, then the Sharp KC-860U Plasmacluster Air Purifier should be first on your list to check out.
This air purifier have some of the most advanced technology for as energy star rated unit that is better than an ionizer and clears your home of odors better than an activated charcoal system.
Holmes True HEPA Air Cleaner and Odor Eliminator with Digital Display
This is our top pick for those suffering from allergies and seeking relief.
The Holmes HAP756 Air Cleaner and Odor Eliminator for Large Rooms is portable enough to move from room to room. So in the daytime you operate it in your living room or kitchen, wherever you spend the most time.
Then, at night you can bring it into the your bedroom so you can sleep soundly without air irritants interfering to cause an allergic reaction.
An added bonus for this unit is its enhanced filter which is a carbon filter that can be treated with easily available baking soda to augment the purifiers odor removing ability. For the full review of the Holmes HAP756-U Allergen Remover for Very Large Rooms click here.
Benefits of Air Purifier
With the ever increasing level of contaminants, vapors and other toxins being released into the air due to development around the world, almost everyone can improve the quality of the indoor air they breathe by use of a purifier.
Outgassing, molds, too much ozone and exposure to volatile organic compounds are some of the hazards encountered and affecting indoor air quality in the modern world. In extreme cases these elements can be neurotoxic. The symptoms from breathing bad air can span the spectrum from minor irritants to a vague diagnosis medically referred to as sick building syndrome.
You need a quality air cleaner if you desire better indoor fresh air. Besides eliminating dirt and other particles from the air, air purifiers also reduce asthma and airborne allergens that causes respiratory issues.
Home air filtration ensures fresh health-giving air remains something you can take for granted indoors.
Every homeowner ought to seriously consider house air filters, besides assisting people with asthma or allergies, it is also a great addition to help you breath easily. Indoor pollutants can be a nuisance but thanks to home air filters that replace the outside air with fresh new air.
The result will be improved health, better breathing, and piece of mind.
Factors to Consider When Buying Air Purifiers
The market is full of air filters and this can leave you confused on which filter to choose for your home. Use the following criteria as a guide.
1. Easy to change – The best air filters are those that are easy to change such as Alen air purifiers, Winix and Blue-air. They require no special tools for maintenance. Look for units that only need popping out the door and pulling the filter out for a replacement. Some air purifiers come with filters that are tedious to change. You don’t want to own a troublesome machine whose idea of replacing the filter leaves you with a dread.
2. Noise level – The best air filters are those that run without anyone noticing. This is important especially if you will need to run it at night. Nothing can be more annoying than disturbing your sleep patterns with mechanical noise after a long working day.
3. Pollutants removal – Before buying an air purifier, it is important you confirm the pollutants the filter is capable of removing and choose the one that fits your lifestyle.
4. Weight and portability – If you plan to buy one air purifier that can be used in multiple rooms, it is important to consider the weight of the machine. You might look prefer ones with wheels for easy transportation.
5. Filter change indicator lights -This feature alerts you when the filter needs to be changed. The filter replacement will be done at the optimal time since it tends to be more accurate compared to your own judgment. It also helps to prevents replacing the filter too late.
What is HEPA?
The acronym HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. This term is used to classify air systems that are following US government standards. The standard outlines technical criteria about how much particulate matter a filter should be able to remove from the atmosphere. The filters, to qualify under the HEPA classification, must remove 99.97% of 0.3 µm particles. The United States Department of Energy is responsible for setting HEPA standards. When buying an air purifier, only those labeled “true-HEPA” have actually been test in an independent laboratory.
Terms you may come across when shopping for filters: “HEPA-type”, “HEPA-like”, “HEPA-style” or “99% HEPA”. Items labeled in this way tend to indicate that the filter is similar to the government’s HEPA standard but does not meet all of the stringent guidelines or it has not been independently verified by a third party.
Below you can take a look at a filter manufacturing process:
Another place you will frequently see the HEPA standard advertised is with vacuum cleaners. HEPA filters are used in vacuums to prevent the the spread of allergens.
Cigarettes, Cigars and Smoke Eaters
When your main concern is smoke, especially cigarettes, there are some extra features you will want to look for when shopping for a home air purification system.
For example, you will want to get a charcoal based filtration system because HEPA filters do not remove organic matter or animal odors, for this you need to buy a charcoal, also sold as activated carbon, for your filtration system. Some of the best air filtrations systems for smoke elimination, think cigarettes, are “smoke eaters”, you can check out a review about them here.
Conclusion
When you do a search in an online store or via a search engine, you will be overwhelmed with the choices of purifiers to choose from but when it comes down to high quality and long lasting air cleaners that work as they are supposed to there really are only a few choices worth considering. If you follow the guidelines above and check out some of the in depth reviews you too will discover that there are only a few air cleaners on your shortlist that you will want to buy.
