Air Purifier Buying Tips

As more and more people suffer from allergies it only makes sense that air purifiers are becoming more popular. The problem becomes trying to decide which type of air filter will work best for your situation. To help you with making the right decision here are some tips to consider when choosing the right model for your home.

The first thing you need to do when buying an air purifier is to determine the size in square feet of the room or rooms you want to use it in. Guessing is not a good idea so break out the tape measure and take a few minutes to gather the dimensions of the rooms you need. Measure the length of the room and its width then multiply those two numbers together to get the square footage.

What does this have to do with choosing the right room filter? Air purifiers come in different sizes and are designed to pull a certain amount of air through their filtering system. Getting a unit that is designed for a room that is smaller then what you have will lead to less then adequate performance. All room air cleaners will list what size room they are intended to be used in.

The next thing to look at is what kind of air purifier do you need to buy? What type of impurities are you trying to remove from the air? Airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander can be caught in either a HEPA filter or electrostatic filter.

An air ionizer will also work for airborne particles albeit in a different manner. Ionizing filters work by ionizing airborne pollutants making them heavier to the point that they simply fall to the ground. You will need to vacuum and dust more often with this type of filter to remove the fallen particles from your home.

For tobacco smoke and airborne odors you will need a purifier that has an activated charcoal or carbon filter. These types of filters are usually combined with some form of HEPA or ionizing unit to filter solid particles.

If the air cleaner you are considering has a replaceable filter then the cost of doing so is something to think about because they can be expensive. You'll also need to look up how often these filters need to be replaced, which can factor into the cost equation.

The last thing to look at is how often the air in the room is cycled through the air purifier. Look for the ACH (air changes per hour) rating and choose a model that does at least 5 air changes per hour.

If you follow these tips for buying an air purifier you are sure to get a filter unit that meets all your demands.