If you’re in the market for an air purifier, you’ve probably got some budding questions about air purifier technology. This ‘Air Purifier FAQ’ article covers the most common questions people have about air purifiers.
What Should I Look For In An Air Purifier?
When shopping for an air purifier, you want to think about three things:
- The type of filter you need.
- The type of particles you want to filter out.
- The space you need the purifier for.
First of all, you need to consider the type of filter you need. There are two types of air purifiers: purifiers with a HEPA filter and air purifiers with an air ionizer. A HEPA filter is more effective, but an air ionizer works better on viruses and bacteria.
Second, air purifiers vary wildly in their effectiveness. Thus, you want to work on filtering out the particles you have an issue with – be it pollution, odor, dust, dust mites, or bacteria. Finally, air purifiers also come in different sizes and strengths. Thus, you must measure the space you need to filter and select an air purifier with the right capacity.
How Much Room Will An Air Purifier Cover?
Air purifiers cover different room sizes, depending on their size and capability. To choose an air purifier that meets your needs, you need to learn more about the specifications of air purifiers and the common terminology used.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
CADR indicates the volume of filtered air delivered by the air purifier. The larger the CADR number, the more air the air purifier can filter.
Air Changes per Hour (ACH)
ACH indicates how frequently the contents of air change in a given space each hour. An ACH rating of 1-2 air will result in clean air but is in the bottom range in terms of desirability. For Allergy relief, we recommend a minimum of ACH of 4.
Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
CFM measures how many cubic feet of air is going through the air purifier per minute. This number is a crucial decision when choosing an air purifier, as a higher CFM provides better air purification results.
How Long Should I Run My Air Purifier?
For best results, it is recommended to run your air purifier whenever you are home. While this may decrease the lifespan of the filters, it certainly pays off if you live in a heavily polluted area.
If you don’t want to keep turning your air purifier on and off, you can look for an air purifier that automatically turns on when it detects dirty air.
Do I Have To Spend Big To Get A Good Air Purifier?
The amount of money you spend on an air purifier depends on your needs. If you want to purify the air in a larger area, you may consider buying a bigger and more powerful air purifier, and that will, of course, cost you more.
However, paying more for an air purifier may be beneficial for some people, as top-of-the-line models have extra features and a lower noise level.
A small air purifier, on the other hand, has other benefits. Smaller purifiers are quieter – making them great for bedrooms. The bottom line is: an expensive air purifier has its perks, but it’s not necessary for most people.
Conclusion
We get it. The science of air purification is confusing and buzzword-dependent – especially when pushy salespeople are trying to goad you into buying a $2,000 air purifier.
But fear not. Choosing the best air purifier for you really is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Just remember: consider filter type, focus on the particles you want to filter out, and shop for the space you have.
If you’d like to compare the current air purifier models on the market, check out our buyer’s guides here.