Nowadays, air purifiers are in high demand, mainly due to their response to the polluted air quality concerns. An air purifier is an appliance that cleanses the air of the room, eliminating all the impurities like smoke, odor, pet dander, and dust. It is a fact that indoor air contains almost two to five times higher pollution than outdoor air. Air purifiers have become a necessity. Now the primary question is that despite all the promises, can air purifiers offer a reliable solution in getting rid of indoor pollutants? The answer to this question is yes, it can, to a certain degree. Read on this article further to know how these appliances operate and whether they are worth considering installation in your home.
How do Air Purifiers Operate?
Air purifiers operate by sanitizing the air, which might include allergens, pollutants, and toxins. They perform in the mechanism opposite to the humidifiers and oil diffusers that add scented particles to the indoor air. Air purifier consists of a filter or multiple filters and a fan that can suck in the air and circulate it. When the air moves through the filter, particles, and pollutants, get captured, and clean air gets pushed back inside the living space. Filters are composed of fiber, paper, and mesh and need a regular replacement for maintaining efficiency.
The type of air particles removed through an air purifier depends on the machine you select. Some air purifier models neutralize the other particles present in the air with no filtering. Another alternative is an air purifier emitting negative ions that attract the positive ion particles in the air so that they are neutralized.
What Particles Does an Air Purifier Remove?
An air purifier will not neutralize or remove all the aggravating particles in the home. It is mainly because numerous particles can sit on soft surfaces like furniture, carpeting, and bedding. There might be particles on the hard surfaces as well, like the walls. An air purifier acts as a complement for the filter to terminate the following particles.
Mold
Like the allergens, the indoor mold particles can become dangerous for people with breathing problems like asthma and other conditions related to the lungs. Air purifiers might work up to some degree, but filtration is much more efficient in terminating the mold in the air. An air purifier with the HEPA filter works the best for decreasing the humidity level of the room.
Indoor Toxins
Your house might not be the only source of airborne mold and particles, but it might also be the source of indoor toxins from personal care, cleaning products, and many more. When these particles are present in the air, they become toxic to the body. Air purifiers can also capture indoor toxins, but the most effective way of getting rid of them is to decrease their use in the first place.
Allergens
Allergens are those substances that can create adverse responses in the immunity system in asthma or allergy form. Pet dander, dust mites, and pollen are some of the most commonly seen airborne allergens. An air purification system might work in conjunction with the highly efficient particulate filter HEPA, and the latter is best known for trapping the airborne allergens.
Smoke
Filter fitted air purifiers eliminate the smoke in the air, including those from the tobacco and landscape fire smoke. Still, the appliances cannot completely get rid of the smell entirely, and there might be some instances of stains on the ceilings and walls despite their use. Smoking cessation is preferable for filtering out the smoke-filled air. There is also proof that the air purifier does little in removing the nicotine from the air inside the room.
Benefits of an Air Purifier
If you do not consider an air purifier as a correct alternative for your home, then the below benefits of this appliance will change your perspective on this.
- Air purifiers make sure that the user is breathing clean air. EPA has estimated that the indoor air is two to five times dirty than the outdoor and sometimes becoming 100 times dirtier. It also keeps you healthy.
- These appliances eliminate unpleasant smells like fish frying, burnt food odors, and many more from the house.
- Air purifiers also capture the airborne allergens released by the pets. Air purifiers control these airborne particles along with their fur before they begin to settle in the home.
- These machines also assist in neutralizing the smoke before it might end up in the upholstery.
- No matter what you do, there will always be dust present in the home. Air purifiers extract this dust before settling down, decreasing the build-up and thus leaving you clean and fresh.
- It also removes almost 99% of the bacteria, small particles like mold spores, pollen, and other microorganisms floating in the air that can make you ill.
- Moreover, it also prevents germs and sickness from spreading. Now, are you worried that your children might catch the flu? Then worry not, as the HEPA purifying machines with the UV bulbs can neutralize and capture 99.97% of airborne germs that you should avoid.
- They also keep your lungs healthy. Consistent exposure to pollen, dust, airborne particles, and dander can cause long-term health and breathing issues for the user. Air purifiers will ensure that the lungs of the user remain healthy for many more years to come.
- You can install air purifiers anywhere. They come in different sizes and features that can keep the air of the room healthy.
What is the Different Type of Air Purifiers Present?
If you want a clean, allergen, and dust-free space, then there are a total of four types of air purifiers present in the market. They are:
True HEPA Purification Systems
This type of purification system uses changeable HEPA filters for eliminating 99.97% of pollutants in your house. If you are already suffering from a breathing problem, then True HEPA machines are the best for you. These machines eliminate the dust mites, mold spores, and pollen that are the primary cause of the seasonal problems. Replace the filters in this air purifier at least once every three months.
HEPA Type Purification systems
They are a bit less efficient than the true ones. If you do not have much problem with dust mites and pollen, then these are the most economical purification system for you. Their replaceable filters can capture almost 99% of wind carried particles like pet dander, smoke, and dust to keep the home air cleaner. But these air purifiers cannot terminate smaller obstacles like dust mites and pollen that might cause breathing problems.
Permanent HEPA Type Air purification system
They are similar to the HEPA Type purification system, except the system consists of filters that cannot be changed. The reusable filters of these machines need regular cleaning for efficient trapping of the air particles.
True UV-C/ HEPA Air purification systems
These are the best air purification systems that the user can buy. They are a little bit more expensive than these three, but they are worth the installation if you stay in highly allergen areas. True UV-C/HEPA air purification machines with a combination of changeable HEPA filters and UV germicidal light capture 99.97% of the germs, small causing bacteria and airborne allergens.
Know About: How UV Air Purifiers Work
Activated Air Purifiers
These machines implement absorbent and small pores for capturing the pollutants while they pass through the filters. The filters of activated carbon are outstanding in removing the chemicals, smoke, and odor from the air.
Ionic Air Purifiers
These air purifiers send negative ion streams into the air so that they can attach to the airborne particles, making them too heavy for remaining high in the air. Since the surfaces come with a positive charge, the negative ions get attracted to those and settle on the surfaces. Thus through this system, the particles might be removed from the air, but they might still be present in the room.
UV air purification system
These systems eliminate the viruses and bacteria from the air. The UV germicidal light kills all the germs to keep the user healthy.
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Wrapping it up
According to research, the air filter can remove hazardous particles from indoor spaces, specifically smoke, mold, and allergens. An air purifier alone cannot enhance the quality of the air but will help in cleaning it. If you already have any underlying breathing issues like allergies and asthma, then an air purifier will certainly help you in improving your health condition by removing the allergens from the room. Hopefully, now you might have a clear concept of how the air purifier operates and how it is beneficial to install one.
Sheena Behera knows the top to bottom when it comes to home appliances. She graduated from the Indian Institute of Science with Mechanical Engineering in the year 2011. She has spent a lot of time working with clientele who require safe and efficient electronic appliances. Her main task at apolloedoc, as an expert, is to provide an unbiased opinion on the safety, durability, and longevity of products we use at our homes daily.
She has ample experience in HVAC systems ((heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and sets strict standards for what passes in her list. Sheena has been working with us since 2018 and has consistently provided our readers with the necessary information to make the right buying decision.
Playing badminton, keeping herself fit, and binge-watching series’ on Netflix are some of her favourite pastimes. She also enjoys flowing away in the stories of fictional books like Harry Potter and The Handmaid’s Tale. She has a chirpy, yet strong collaborative skills and works hand-in-hand with our other writing experts whenever required. Although her family is originally from Odisha, she has spent most of her childhood in Bangalore due to her father’s transfers.