Air purifiers have been evolving since the first patents for respirators were approved in the late 19th century. They are beneficial to people that are sensitive to allergies and asthma. As houses and buildings became more air tight and energy-efficient, air purifiers were found to also aid in reducing sick building syndrome. It can be difficult to know what type of air purifier is right for personal use. Active and passive purifiers use different techniques. The effectiveness and efficiency varies on each method of technology used. Today air purifiers are not regulated by government agencies. However, The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM offers substantial information on indoor air cleaners. A rating standard known as CADR is used by the Energy Star program to further deliver clean air flow.
What do Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers Do?
The basic goal of humidifiers and dehumidifiers is to help control humidity levels. Humidity levels are important to both the structure of a home and to human comfort. Humidifiers deliver moisture into the air. Dry air can result during the winter months when air becomes stagnant from slow movement. Dry skin and sore throats can occur when the air is too dry. Dehumidifiers do just the opposite. Too much humidity happens during the summer months when there is too much damp air. Basements are notorious for having too much moisture due to being underground. Dehumidifiers pull excess moisture from the air and blow out drier air through a fan. Simple humidity testers are available that measure and show the humidity level of a house.
What Are Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers are devices that remove particles from indoor air. There are different techniques for cleaning the air. These include:
- Electrostatic
- Ultraviolet Light
- HEPA
Electrostatic air purifiers are made up of negative and positive charged plates. The negative plates release negative energy that attaches to particles in the air. The positive plates then grab the particles. They have no filters to replace but the plates have to be cleaned. UV air cleaners are used mainly as disinfectants where mold and mildew grow, such as air ducts. There are not as effective as some unless they have a HEPA filter attached that attracts small particles. HEPA filters are the most popular when used in combination with charcoal or UV units. They are designed to remove both large and small particles from the air. When used with charcoal, odors are removed.
Best In Home Air Purifiers
The best rated home air purifiers contain a combination of either charcoal and HEPA filter or electrostatic technology and HEPA filter. Depending on the type of air quality needed, both have pros and cons. Charcoal is great for removing odors while the electrostatic style has a high CADR rating. Blueair offers the 450E Hepa air purifier that utilizes electrostatic filtration along with HEPA. 2 sensors continually test the air for quality and automatically adjust the fan settings. Oransi has the model OV200 that uses a pre-filter, HEPA filter and charcoal filter to deliver pure air that is free from dust, mold and allergens. There are many other great air purifiers on the market for improving indoor air quality. Check the ratings on manufacturers and models to receive the best air purifier for your needs.
