Rating the Efficiency Level of your Air Purifier

There are 2 critical things to consider when measuring how effective an air purifier is. The first performance test is how much  air  it can clean each hour. The second test is what percentage of the pollutants the air purifier removes from the air that is circulating through it. This second test  is called the efficiency.  
For example, if the particle count per cubic foot of air going into the air purifier is 1,000,000 particles and the particle count of the air coming out after it has passed through the filters is 300, than the efficiency of the air purifier would be 99.97%. Such, you can see how the efficiency of the air purifier is important, since an air purifier with  only  a 60% efficiency would allow 400,000 particles to go back into the room.   The efficiency rating  is important, because there are many air purifiers on the market that have a Hepa filter, but their relative efficiency is undocumented. This only means that the filter has been tested to remove 99.97% of all of the particulates that are 0.3 of a micron in size or larger. However, this is when all of the particles in the air contact the Hepa filter and none of the air is able to bypass the filter itself.  Once you take the Hepa filter and install it in the air purifier, other variables are involved. As air is pulled into the air purifier,  a portion of the air can bypass the filter media, depending on the way the filter is situated within  the air purifier. As much as 35 to 50 percent of the air can by-pass the filter media in some Hepa filter-based air purifiers, resulting in inadequate performance. 

I recommend the IQAir series and the Clarifier series as the most efficient Air Purifiers.

Top 10 Air Purifier Questions

1. Do I really need an air purifier in my home?

It depends on several factors, including your own level of comfort and your home's indoor air quality.  There are several factors to take into consideration.

First of all, realize that indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality.  In fact, for many people, indoor allergens and irritants, such as dust, smoke and pet dander, may be two to five times as bad in their homes as outdoors.

Second, several indicators will help you decide, if you will benefit from an air purifier in your home.  Top reasons to get an air purifier include:

    * Allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and runny nose
    * Mold or mildew in your home
    * Itchy, dry skin or frequent skin rashes
    * Being or living with a smoker
    * Asthma or other breathing problems
    * Owning indoor pets 


2. Do all Air Cleaners Remove the Same Kinds of Contaminants from the Air?

No. Even though every type of air purifier cleans certain particulates from the air, there are differences in what and how they clean. Some purifiers remove dust and particulates, such as pet dander and smoke very effectively, while others will actually eliminate bacteria, viruses and molds and mildew. But very few will do all of these things.  In my opinion, the IQ Air HealthPro Series of air purifiers come closest to meeting all these requests from an air purifier.
 
3. What Size Air Purifier do I Need for My Home?

Most air purifiers are designed for individual room use rather than for the whole home.  Unless you have an air purifier or air filtration system that has been installed on your heating or air conditioning unit, you should get separate units for each room or living space.

You need separate units for each room is because effectiveness is affected by air flow, and walls mean no air circulation.  Each room will need its own unit.

To determine what size you need, look for the CADR number.  This number indicates the Clean Air Delivery Rate, which should always equal at least 2/3 the total square footage of the room you will be using the air purifier in.  For example, a 10' X 12' room has 120' square feet, and needs a purifier with a CADR number of at least 80.


4. What Ozone level is Safe for Indoors?

Ozone is a tasteless, colorless gas, found in the upper atmosphere and is naturally produced by thunderstorms during electric discharge.

It is perfectly safe indoors, if kept at acceptable levels (between .02 and .05 parts per million).  This is just like many other type of naturally occurring gasses that aren't harmful to us at certain levels.  Ozone air purifiers have been developed to produce the correct amount of ozone to purify the air without reaching harmful levels.

5. How frequently do  I need to Change or Clean the Filter in my Air Purifier?

Depending on the area of the room and what type and size of air purifier you have, that will tell you how often cleaning and replacement is needed.  Some will need to be changed or cleaned monthly, others more often.

It is very important to check your filter regularly and follow the recommended schedule the manufacturer suggests, since the efficiency of the air purifier relies on proper maintenance.

6. What is a Micron?

A micron is a measurement of the size of a particulate in the air.  One micron is 1/25,400 inch (roughly 100 times smaller than a single strand of hair).  Obviously, a micron is far too small to be seen.  For the purpose of choosing an air purifier, most types are considered very efficient if they can filter airborne pollutants to .3 microns.

7. How Much should I Expect to Pay for an Air Purifier?

This is difficult to determine.  Price doesn't always guarantee quality.  I'm sure you'll be willing to spend enough to get a high-quality product, however,  protect your investment, by making sure your air purifier comes with a warranty.  When buying an air purifier, also take into account the cost of any replacement filters and the electricity to run the unit.

8. How Much Noise Will the Air Purifier Make?

An air purifier with a fan in it will have some noise.  HEPA filters, for instance, have fans to pull the air through the filter itself, although improved casings and quieter fans have been developed for noise abatement.

Ionic and ozone air purifiers don't usually have a fan, because they use an electrostatic charge or ozone, so they are completely silent.  If they combine their technology with a filtration system or a fan to boost air circulation over the plates, there will be some noise, but this will be minimal, and these fans may be shut off when you wish.  In general, the noise level of even an air purifier with a fan is low enough that it isn't intrusive.  You'll be surprised in the fact that you will get used to the "noise", just as I did.


9. Where do I Place the Air Purifier?

The rooms you use the most, or any area where pollutants linger, are the most important rooms for air purifier use.  Your living area, such as a family room or den, should have an air cleaner, especially if you have allergies or pets that are in the room daily, or if you have smokers in your family.

Bedrooms are also a good idea, since allergies and irritants can disturb your sleep. Clean, fresh air has been proven to produce more restful sleep and reduce night breathing problems.

Also, consider getting an air purifier in the bathroom, where odors, mold and mildew are prone to linger.  An air cleaner in the bathroom can  make it fresher and more pleasant, and also reduce the amount of mold and mildew in the air, so that your bathroom will be less of a breeding ground for germs.

10. Where Do I Position the Air Purifier?

It is most important to position it near the most traffic flow or activity in order to get plenty of air circulation around the air filter.  This will increase the air exchange rate and make the air cleaning more efficient.

With a HEPA filter, it is best to position  it near an open area, to ensure air movement all around.  For an ozone air purifier, try to position the air purifier higher, rather than lower, since ozone molecules are heavier than oxygen and will tend to drift downward.  The same planning goes for ionic air purifiers, which release charged particles into the air.

If your air purifier unit is easily portable and you have a heavy smoker in the room, move the air purifier a bit closer to him, if possible and acceptable. Occasionally, you may also want to move the air purifier to a specific room, when a particular odor needs to be banished as soon as possible.
 

Basic Tips and Advice on Choosing Air Filters

Most people do not really understand what is in the air they are breathing. They don't realize that air they breathe, has particles that contain mold, mildew, pet dander, microscopic plastic particles and many more pollutants. Combine all those air contaminants and you can see that all of these particles can be harmful to your health. But, how do you reduce or get rid of them...safely?

By using an air purifier filter in your air purifier, you can capture as much as 99% of the particles in the air that are related to health issues. This is the main cause, airborne pollutants, that are causing you or a family member, a host of health problems. Most people do not realize how simple it is to remove these contaminants. By using good ventilation methods and by purchasing an air purifier that uses a high quality air purifier filter, you can breathe easier in your home.

In the world of air purifier filters, the HEPA filter is tops. The HEPA purifier filter removes the most pollutants, up to 99.97%. This means that your air is much cleaner than ever before, simply by using a good quality air purifier filter. HEPA air purifier filters are also capable of removing cigarette smoke, which helps remove the odors that many non-smokers dislike.

Some air purifier filters are more expensive, depending upon the quality of the filter. For example, HEPA filters are always more expensive. Nevertheless, these air purifier filters are of a much higher quality than other standard air purifier filters, which makes them worth the additional cost. When it comes to your family's health, it is a good idea to find the best filters possible for your air purifier.

When looking for the perfect air purifier for your home, look online for your selected machine. Change them as scheduled by the manufacturer or as needed in order to ensure your air purifier works at full capacity. When working properly, the air purifier will help ensure the air quality for your family is the best possible. Never compromise when trying to ensure the health of your family.

How To Choose An Air Purifier For Allergy Relief

Are you looking for relief from your allergy symptoms?  If you are, you may want to examine air purifiers.  Air purifiers are a great way to seek relief from many of the most common allergy symptoms.  In fact, some individuals see a complete elimination of allergy symptoms when they are in a home that has an air purifier.

If this is the first time that you are interested in buying an air purifier, you may be looking for guidance. After all, there are hundreds of air purifiers currently available for sale.  If you are overwhelmed with all of your options, you will want to continue reading on.  A few tips to help you buy an air purifier are outlined below for your convenience.

When looking to buy an air purifier for allergies, it is first advised that you examine HEPA air purifiers.  Air purifiers that use HEPA technology come highly rated and recommended.  All air purifiers capture and hold potentially harmful particles from the air, including mold, dust mites, and pet dander, but some do it better than others.  It has been said that HEPA air filters trap around 90% of particles in the air, on average.  This percentage is much higher than most other air purifiers and air filters.

Another great way to go about buying an air purifier that will produce good, quality results is by asking those that you know for recommendations.  You can and should speak to your neighbors, coworkers, family, friends, and well as your doctor.  Air purifiers have increased in popularity over the past few years.  This is mostly due in part to the fact that many want to improve their health and the air insider their homes.  If an individual that you know uses an air purifier, ask them for information on their purifier.  Do they like it? What are the pros and cons of owning?

Another tip to help you choose an air purifier for allergy relief is by doing research online.  If you like the price of an air purifier that you see available for sale locally, you may want to refrain from buying it right away.  Instead, write down the make and model and do the research online when you get home.  Many air purifiers are rated and reviewed online.  Reading reviews and examining ratings can help you save money by avoiding air purifiers that are not worth their cost or too costly to maintain.

When looking to buy an air purifier for allergy relief, it is important to take quality into consideration.  As previously stated, rating, reviews, and recommendations can help you gauge the quality of an air purifier.  It is also important to restate that not all allergy air purifiers are created equal, as they do tend to produce different results.  If you suffer from allergies, you will want to seek the best relief possible.  Also, examine air purifiers for allergies that come with warranties.  Generally speaking, a warranty means that a manufacturer completely stands behind their product, which should help to give you comfort and peace of mind.

Cost should also be examined when looking to choose an air purifier.  When it comes to cost, it is always important to remember that you get what you pay for.  You can expect to pay more money for high end air purifiers, but most find it more than worth it.  To help you save money, consider shopping online or at least comparing prices online first.  It is also important to examine the long-term costs of owning an air purifier.  If filters are used, how often do they need to be replaced?  What are the cost of them?  Remember that you often end up paying more than just the sticker price when buying an air purifier.

The above mentioned factors should all be taken into consideration when looking to buy an air purifier.  As a reminder, not all air purifiers are created equal, so make sure that you are buying the best.