Air Purifiers are specifically designed to remove pollutants from the air. Because there are so many different types of pollutants, there is a corresponding variety of air purifiers, all of which are designed to remove different things from the air. You must know what it is that you are trying to remove in order to ensure that you are getting the air purifier that you really need. Choosing the right air cleaner for your needs involves doing the following:
· If allergies are your primary problem, it will be important to get an air purifier that removes the particles most likely to be in your home that bother your allergies; that is, get a purifier that is designed to remove pollens and animal dander. An air purifier that specializes in removing cigarette smoke will not help with these pollutants. If your need is to kill bacteria then an ultraviolet air cleaner is your first choice; if removing particles is what you are after, then consider a HEPA filter system.
· Make sure that the air purifier you buy is the right size for the room you want to use it in. Air purifiers work remarkably well when properly sized for the space they are located in. However, they severely under-perform when they are too small for the room they are aiming to clean.
· Understanding noise level is important, especially if the filter is being used in a bedroom or baby’s nursery. Some are, for all practical purposes, silent. Others are very quiet, still others have fans that emit sound that can be annoying. Know what level of noise you can tolerate, and match your air purifier with that level of tolerance.
· Try to find out what the air flow is like; this is the amount of time it takes the device to remove pollutants from a specific area. Will the air in your room be cleaned 3 times per hour, or three times per day? Obviously, the more frequent the cleaning, the better.
· With the high cost of energy, it is important to check the energy rating. Check the wattage used, as the higher the wattage, the greater your electricity bill will be. In general, the larger the room you are intending to clean, the higher the wattage will need to be.
· Maintenance and cost of replacing components such as filters, can add up depending on the type of system you buy. Be sure to factor the ongoing costs of replacements filters and other maintenance items, if any, into your decision making process.
· Like with any new purchases, it’s good to look at the warranty on your new air purifier. Is it 6 months or ten years? Typically, a good warranty can save you money in the long run, as it is an indication that the unit will last for many years.
There are other factors that should be considered when selecting an air purifier, such as the clean air delivery rating (CADR). This is a rating given based on how much clean air the device delivers in a given time. This rating is assigned by the
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Once you have narrowed down your selection for an air purifier to just a few choices, it would be wise to compare these ratings on each choice to see which offers the best value.