Quality air purifiers have never been more important for good health. The tight seals that make your home comfortable and energy efficient also make the indoor air more polluted. The air inside your home is five to ten times dirtier than the air outside, and Americans spend 90% of their lives indoors.
Types
There are two basic types of air purifiers. Room models, which are most heavily promoted, can be moved from room to room. Whole-house models are built into the ductwork of a forced-air heating or cooling system.
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Air purifier producers offer whole-house systems and room units. With whole-house purifiers, a professional installer will arrive and attach the unit to the home’s furnace and air conditioning ductwork. Once the unit’s connection is complete, the purifier will clean the air in every room of the home. Whole-house purifiers are the most expensive option, and consumers should plan their finances carefully when selecting this type of unit.
Room air purifiers also feature a contaminant-capturing filter, which homeowners must replace periodically. Consumers may select an air purifier with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA, filter. With a HEPA filter, homeowners will have a unit that will trap miniscule air particles. When bringing home an air purifier with a HEPA filter, homeowners will need to replace the device annually and should budget the additional cost.
Features
Whole-house air filters generally include a range of standard sizes, with some that adapt to fit different-size filter-box or return-air openings. Room air cleaners usually use a fan to pull air into the unit for filtration.
| Fan Most room air cleaners use a fan to suck in air. Those without a fan run more quietly, but the ones we tested worked poorl | |
| Servicing indicator A clogged air cleaner works inefficiently. You should remove and wash an electronic precipitator's collector-plate assembly every month or so. (You can do it in the sink or tub or put it in a dishwasher.) In most room and whole-house models that use an electronic precipitator. | |
Dust sensor and air-quality monitor
In some room models, these raise or lower the fan speed automatically. But we were unimpressed with those we tested. They didn't kick in until pollutant levels were high, and then they shut off before the levels dropped sufficiently.
Purchasing Tips
| | Before making an air purifier purchase, shoppers should assess their home and choose the purifier’s location. Also, measure the room’s length and width in order to bring home the right unit size. Review the height of the ceiling since exceedingly high or vaulted ceilings may require more air purifying power. If the home features an open floor plan, then shoppers may need two air purifiers with one placed on each end of the home. Homeowners will have additional energy expenses with an air purifier because the device will run continuously. The size and power levels of the device will determine the appliance’s energy use. While shopping for a purifier, check the unit’s power levels, which may list watts or volts and amps. If the purifier label includes volts and amps, then calculate the watts by multiplying the two energy forms. |
written by Nicolas Yang
