A Buyers Guide to Air Purifiers
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Are you in the market for an air purifier? Air purifiers are electronic machines that are used to eliminate harmful particles or contaminants from the air. Air purifiers are great for those who smoke, have pets, young children, allergies or even those who just want to breathe clean air. If used inside your home, air purifiers will help to make the air that you and your family breathes cleaner. For that reason, there is a good chance that you should consider purchasing one of these small appliances.
When it comes to buying home air purifiers, many people simply buy the cheapest model or the most attractive. Of course, you don't want to pay more than you have to and a good looking addition to your decor would be nice, but you need to look beyond these factors. You should take the time to understand the product as best you can.
When it comes to buying home air purifiers, many people simply buy the cheapest model or the most attractive. Of course, you don't want to pay more than you have to and a good looking addition to your decor would be nice, but you need to look beyond these factors. You should take the time to understand the product as best you can.
First Steps to Buying an Air Purifier
The first step in buying a purifier is to familiarize yourself with all of your available options. You can accomplish this in two different ways. The first way involves visiting a local retail store. Take a look at all the products that are available there. Read all the information displayed on the packaging. Take notes about the features that are most important to you, and make a list of the prices of various models.
In addition to comparing prices and products at the store, you should also use the internet. In fact, the internet may be the easiest way to research the available products and price ranges. Online, you can not only familiarize yourself with the various machines, but you can also read product reviews to find out what other customers think about them. These online reviews are very informative. They provide first hand knowledge on the operation and maintenance of various brands and models.
In addition to comparing prices and products at the store, you should also use the internet. In fact, the internet may be the easiest way to research the available products and price ranges. Online, you can not only familiarize yourself with the various machines, but you can also read product reviews to find out what other customers think about them. These online reviews are very informative. They provide first hand knowledge on the operation and maintenance of various brands and models.
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Choices in Air Purifiers
There are essentially five kinds of air purifiers that you can choose from:
1. HEPA filter air purifiers utilize replaceable filters that can eliminate 99% of the particles that are attracted to it.
2. Ionic air purifiers release magnetic charges into the air which attract contaminants to the filters, where they are trapped.
3. Ozone air purifiers release small amounts of ozone into the air in order to get rid of pollutants.
4. Electrostatic air purifiers utilize static electricity to attract particles to the unit's filters.
5. Electrostatic precipitators are similar to electrostatic purifiers except they don't utilize filters. Instead, contaminants are attracted to metal plates, which can be removed and cleaned quite easily.
1. HEPA filter air purifiers utilize replaceable filters that can eliminate 99% of the particles that are attracted to it.
2. Ionic air purifiers release magnetic charges into the air which attract contaminants to the filters, where they are trapped.
3. Ozone air purifiers release small amounts of ozone into the air in order to get rid of pollutants.
4. Electrostatic air purifiers utilize static electricity to attract particles to the unit's filters.
5. Electrostatic precipitators are similar to electrostatic purifiers except they don't utilize filters. Instead, contaminants are attracted to metal plates, which can be removed and cleaned quite easily.
Get the Right Kind
Before you buy, it's important to be sure of the intended purpose of your air purifier. Many people use air purifiers if they have pets or if they have a smoker inside the house. Unfortunately, not all air purifiers are designed to remove these types of particles from the air. Therefore, if you plan on using an air purifier for smoke or for pets, you are advised to thoroughly read the descriptions of each air purifier that you are interested in buying. Buying the wrong type of air purifier can turn an otherwise good purchase into one that is definitely not worth the buy.
If there is a lot of cigarette smoking taking place in your home, an ionic air purifier should be your first choice since they are the most effective in eliminating unpleasant odors from the air. An electric current runs through a surface, and ions attach themselves to particles in the air. The particles then become drawn to collection plates, therefore eliminating them from the air.
An advantage of these purifiers is that they don't have any filters to replace. However, ionic air purifiers produce ozone, which is associated with higher risks of asthma attacks. Defenders of this technology state that the equipment will never exceed the ozone levels that are present in large cities, so there's no real risk. Ultimately, you will have to make your own decision about the safety of these machines.
If your desire for an air purifier has more to do with eliminating pet hair and allergens from the air, you will probably want to look at a model that utilizes HEPA filters. They are also effective in removing dust and dirt, but not as effective as the ionic models at eliminating odors. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filters, and they are able to trap and eliminate microscopic particles in the air. You will have to replace the filters regularly with these models, so be sure to find out the cost of the replacements and factor it into your decision.
If there is a lot of cigarette smoking taking place in your home, an ionic air purifier should be your first choice since they are the most effective in eliminating unpleasant odors from the air. An electric current runs through a surface, and ions attach themselves to particles in the air. The particles then become drawn to collection plates, therefore eliminating them from the air.
An advantage of these purifiers is that they don't have any filters to replace. However, ionic air purifiers produce ozone, which is associated with higher risks of asthma attacks. Defenders of this technology state that the equipment will never exceed the ozone levels that are present in large cities, so there's no real risk. Ultimately, you will have to make your own decision about the safety of these machines.
If your desire for an air purifier has more to do with eliminating pet hair and allergens from the air, you will probably want to look at a model that utilizes HEPA filters. They are also effective in removing dust and dirt, but not as effective as the ionic models at eliminating odors. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filters, and they are able to trap and eliminate microscopic particles in the air. You will have to replace the filters regularly with these models, so be sure to find out the cost of the replacements and factor it into your decision.
Keep Filters in Mind as You Shop
Many of the air purifiers that are available utilize filters to clean the air in your home. Some kinds of filters will need to be cleaned, while others will have to be replaced from time to time. If the model of air purifier you're considering has a replaceable filter, you must take this into account in your purchasing decision. Investigate how often the filter needs to be changed and how much the replacement filters cost. Some of these appliances must have their filters replaced quite frequently. You might discover that the filters wind up costing more than you originally paid for the air purifier.
If you decide to go with a filter model, your best option here to find an air purifier that uses HEPA filters. These filters, although they are more expensive, are considered to be the most efficient at ridding your house of pollutants and allergens. HEPA air filters must meet specific requirements imposed by the Department of Energy.
If you decide to go with a filter model, your best option here to find an air purifier that uses HEPA filters. These filters, although they are more expensive, are considered to be the most efficient at ridding your house of pollutants and allergens. HEPA air filters must meet specific requirements imposed by the Department of Energy.
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Check the Ratings
There are two kinds of ratings that have been developed with regard to air purifiers. Use these numbers to help you compare various brands and models.
1. CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) will help you determine the amount of clean air that is present in a particular room.
2. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a rating system created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. In general, the higher the MERV, the better the product.
1. CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) will help you determine the amount of clean air that is present in a particular room.
2. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a rating system created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. In general, the higher the MERV, the better the product.
by Lorne19
Lorne19
Just your average guy, married, 2.5 kids, a dog, a cat and a budgie.
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