How Can Air Purifiers Help?

Indoor Air

• The main benefit of an air purifier is its ability to clean the air you breathe within your home. Air pollutants can come in different forms, such as air mold. Mold forms in damp and moist areas that contain oxygen. Air purifiers will filter airborne molds and other indoor pollutants including smoke, pollen, dust mites, fungi and bacteria. Air purifiers can also eliminate lingering odors within the home. Before purchasing an air purifier to battle indoor air pollutants, make sure it's the right size for your room. Larger rooms will not benefit from small purifiers, and small rooms have no need for a large purifier. If possible, purchase an energy efficient air purifier.

The Ozone

• Air purifiers can eliminate the amount of ozone within your home. Ozone, even in small doses, can cause coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath and chest pains, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to ozone can also worsen the effects of respiratory diseases including asthma. Air purifiers that contain a HEPA filter will reduce ozone levels within a home more reliably than those without a HEPA filter. Some air purifiers actually release ozone, either by design or as a byproduct of their design, rendering them counterproductive.

The Filter

• The filter is perhaps the most important aspect of an air purifier. Dirty or damaged air filters will not allow the purifier to clean the air you breathe, rendering it ultimately worthless. Before purchasing an air purifier, research how often the filters need to be changed and how exactly it is done. Also examine the cost of replacement filters, which can vary from model to model. Keeping the air filters clean is the only way to truly purify the air you breathe.

Considerations

• Those who are prone to allergies or asthma will want to invest in an air purifier with a high ACH, or air changes per hour. This number indicates how often the air is exchanged within a room per hour. If the purifier has an ACH rating of 4, it exchanges the air within a room four times per hour. The higher the number, the more times per hour the air is exchanged. Keep in mind how quietly or how loudly the purifier operates. Air purifiers that operate loudly may keep you awake, especially if placed within the bedroom.