Air purifiers are excellent for improving indoor air quality within minutes, but not all purifiers are made the same. Some air purifiers feature an activated carbon filter, while others bring a combination of HEPA filters and a pre-filter to tackle harmful particles and effectively clean the indoor air. But which air purifier is best for you?
If you’re considering investing in an air purifier to ensure a healthy indoor environment, you’re in the right place. This article will help you understand what the right air purifier must have and will explain everything you need to consider when buying a new air purifier.
Country of Manufacture
People often overlook the country of manufacture when selecting an air purifier, but it can be of pivotal importance, particularly because air purifier manufacturers in the USA best know the regional air quality and keep innovating based on them.
The best air purifier manufacturers from the USA are covered by Air Purifier Mag along with the best models from each manufacturer. American-made air purifiers have shown better performance thanks to the inclusion of select filters and air purification technology that local air quality mandates.
Almost all Air Purifiers Made in the USA include the high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) and all purifiers have to follow strict guidelines set out by the authorities (like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) To carry the relevant certifications each manufacturer has to abide by these rules that help ensure quality, clean air.
Type of Air Filtration Technology
Although the inclusion of a HEPA filter can improve the efficiency of a purifier to 99.97% as suggested by the EPA, it can only tackle the particulate matter. When buying an air purifier, you’ll need to select a high-quality air purifier that features activated carbon filters alongside the HEPA filter to ensure that both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants are removed.
Here are some of the advantages each filtration stage/technology brings
Pre – filters
These can help remove large airborne contaminants like hair and fur. It also traps particles like dust specks, helping extend the life of other, more expensive filters in the purifier.
Some manufacturers add a dedicated pre-filter that can either be washed or cleaned using vacuum cleaners, helping in keeping filter replacement costs low.
HEPA filter
HEPA or true HEPA filter can help remove small particles down to a size of 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%. Although EPA suggests its efficiency to be 99.97% some manufacturers bring proprietary improvements that take their efficiency to 99.99% even for particles measuring 0.1 microns.
HEPA filters are excellent for all particulate matter and can even remove tiny particles like dust mites and pet dander.
Activated Carbon Filters
These are excellent against gaseous matter like volatile organic compounds, radon gas, and can even remove odors. Carbon has an inherent problem of off-gassing and certain manufacturers use different techniques to limit this.
If you’re buying an air purifier to remove smoke, then activated carbon filters are a must-have.
UV-C Light
UV-C or UV light chambers in an air purifier can help destroy microbial DNA and can help tackle issues like mold spores. Certain manufacturers include a light chamber on the collection side of the air filters to destroy the organic matter, making the air inside safe and healthy.
This is excellent if you want to choose an air purifier that will take care of bacteria or mold spores.
Negative Ion Generators
Negative ion generators work by releasing negative ions into the air indoors that latch onto air pollutants, making them too heavy to stay airborne. These do clean the air when working together with other filters but can sometimes produce ozone, a known respiratory irritant.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
What good is an air purifier if it can’t remove indoor pollutants in time? Air purifiers are given a minimum square footage rating that helps you understand how much space or room size the air purifier can cover. Large living spaces require an air purifier with a higher CADR rating. Higher Clean air delivery rates mean that an air purifier will be able to produce more air changes per hour, ensuring clean, breathable air.
Portability
There are a ton of options in the air purifier market, but you’ll want to get one that caters to your needs. If you suffer from asthma or are prone to allergy symptoms flare-ups, then investing in portable air purifiers is the best choice. You can bring them around to the room you’re working in to get a supply of clean air.
Operational Costs
Some air purifiers cost less but can have astronomical filter replacement costs, or can have an inefficient operation. Especially if you’re a student and looking for an air purifier for your dorm room. You should pick one that is easy on your wallet. American-made air purifiers have to abide by rules that help keep operational costs low.
Existing Indoor Air Quality
If your existing AQI (air quality index) is good, you don’t need to invest in a very expensive air purifier however, if you’re buying it for tobacco smoke, wildfire smoke, or VOCs, it is recommended to invest in heavy duty air purifiers that offer complete protection against airborne pollutants.