Air. It is pretty much well - everywhere. We spend our entire lives breathing in air, so why don't we make sure we are breathing the best air possible.
One way to do this is to use an air purifier. We are going to take a good long look at air purifiers, how they work, and what types there are.
We are also going to take a look at the benefits of air puffier, and answer some questions that almost everyone has before they buy their first air purifier.
Let's start with the basics.
In This Guide
What Makes Indoor Air Dirty?
You're probably wondering if you really need an air purifier if you're reading this, so let's start at the very beginning. What makes indoor air dirty?
Besides the fact that we are breathing out germs all of the time, there are also other things that can make indoor air dirty.
According to the World Health Organization, the very simple act of cooking adds pollution to the air in our homes and we don't even realize it!
Next, think about opening and closing doors or windows. This allows the outside "dirty" air inside our homes. We often think of the air inside our homes as clean, but this is simply not the case.
What is an Air Purifier?
An air purifier purifies, filters, and cleans the air we are breathing. It does this by taking the bad things out of the air. All air purifiers perform the same function.
First they intake dirty air. Next they clean it, and output nice clean air that is pleasant to breathe.
Types of Air Purifiers
There are a several different types of air purifiers, and while they all serve the same function, there are some slight differences in features.
- Filters. We hear a lot about HEPA filters, which are supposed to be the gold standard of air filtration. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, which means it takes particles out of the air in a very efficient manner. There are many different types of filters you can find in a air purifier.
- Ionic. Remember The Sharper Image? Their Ionic Breeze air purifier started the home air purifier rage. They use electrical charge to basically attract the particles in the air.
- UV. Ultraviolet air purifiers rid the air of germs and viruses - they are best when used in conjunction or added on to another type of air purifier.
To read more about different types of air purifiers be sure to check out this article. While there are other types, filters and ionic based air purifiers are a great balance between cost and function.
Remember, an air purifier needs to be cleaned or maintained like any other device in your home. If you have a very bad dust allergy, you may want to ask someone else to do the cleaning for you. If not, be sure to wear a mask and gloves, and wash your hands right after you finish cleaning your air purifier.
If you choose an air purifier with filters, the filters will need to be washed or changed. Ionic air purifiers will have to be cleaned with a soft cloth.
Benefits of Air Purifiers
We talked a little bit about what air purifiers do - they remove things we don't want from the air. We also know we have to take care of them, so why would we want to add that extra maintenance burden to our lives?
Air purifiers and air filters help us in a number of main ways.
Air purifiers remove household allergens like pet dander, dust, and pollen that comes in from open windows and doors.
Air purifiers are great for people with allergies.
Air purifiers remove particles in the air from indoor air pollution sources like cooking.
Air purifiers can remove cooking smells from the air!
When equipped with a UV light, air purifiers will kill things like germs and viruses.
This helps us stay healthy, and not get sick!
Of course, air purifiers can be an investment depending on what your requirements are. Now that we have talked about these benefits, let's take a look at how they translate to particular rooms.
Benefits of Air Purifier in Bedroom
We spend so much time sleeping. If you are an allergy sufferer, an air purifier in your bedroom is a must have, since we spend so much of our lives sleeping.
Have a dust mite allergy? Check out our guide to allergy friendly bedding to help you sleep better.
They are also great to make sure your bedroom stays smelling nice and fresh, no matter what is going on in your house from pets to cooking.
Benefits of Air Purifier in Office
Next to our bedroom, we spent a lot of time in the office. Once again, if you suffer from environmental allergies like dust, this will help you feel much better.
Dust can be a major factor depending on how often your office is cleaned, and of course doors and windows let pollen in.
It also helps when someone burns popcorn!
Benefits of Air Purifiers in the Home
Besides your bedroom, the benefits of air purifiers can be seen wherever you spend a good amount of time. Think about putting an air purifier in your living room or family room if you are trying to decide where to make the investment.
There are many benefits to a room air purifier, no matter where you place it. If you suffer from seasonal or environmental allergies, the benefits of an air purifier will be seen immediately when you add one to your home or office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Purifiers
Now, let's take a look at some of the most common questions first time air purifier buyers have.
Do air purifiers help with air pollution?
The outside air gets into our home all sorts of ways we have never thought about. From opening the door, opening a window, or even the gaps between doors and windows when they are closed.
If you are living in an area with air pollution, an air purifier can help keep the air inside your home clean, even when outside air gets inside.
Can air purifiers filter the outdoor air that enters your home?
Yes, air purifiers filter the air in your home, so when the outdoor air gets inside, rest assured your air purifier will take care of it.
Are air purifiers really helpful?
Many people think air purifiers don't work, or are a money making scheme. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, chances are you will feel an immediate difference once you turn on an air purifier.
For lack of a better analogy, the air inside your home will suddenly feel clean, it is one of those things you don't believe until you truly experience it.
Air purifiers can also eliminate things like odors and cooking smells in your home - a must have if you have roommates!
Do air purifiers remove germs?
Yes, some air purifiers are able to remove germs. If removing germs from the air is important to you, be sure to pick an air purifier that has a ultraviolet or UV light inside of it.
Do air purifiers really help with allergies?
Yes, air purifiers really help with allergies. They remove common airborne allergens like dust and pollen from the air.
Some air purifiers can even sense the amount of dust or pollen in the air, and will kick into a higher purification speed to make sure to clean your air as quickly as possible.
How long does it take an air purifier to clean a room?
How long it takes an air purifier to clean a room depends on a number of things. First and foremost, it depends on the specifications of the air purifier you purchase.
Air purifiers are tased for a certain amount of space, and will clearly state in the specifications how long it will take to clean that space. If you are looking to clean your air as quickly as possible, consider purchasing an air purifier that is capable of cleaning a space larger than the one you are putting it in.
Most air purifiers rate themselves by the space they can purify in an hour.
Can air purifiers help you breathe easier?
Yes, air purifiers can help you breathe easier. If you suffer from environmental or seasonal allergies, air purifiers will remove them from the air and allow you to breathe easier.
Elisabeth Southgate says
I never took into account that fact that we are breathing out germs everyday. I can see now more of a need to keep our air pure. Thank you for helping me learn more about the benefits of air filtration.