Air purifiers are very effective if the consumer is careful to choose an air purifier that is appropriate for his or her needs. Air purifier models, both portable and whole-house, vary greatly in their design, cleaning technology, required maintenance, filter longevity, area coverage, power consumption, quality and price. If an air purifier is selected carefully, the user can expect the room in which the air purifier is placed to remain significantly cleaner as long as the unit is operating continuously and is properly maintained.
A person who wakes up congested in the morning from sleeping in a room heavy with particles or chemical out-gassing, should sleep better and wake up significantly less congested if an air purifier with the proper technology for removing both airborne particles and chemicals is used. A person sensitive to perfumes or cleaners in an office, should find significant relief from an air purifier that is designed to remove them. A child with asthma should have fewer night attacks in a room that is extremely clean due to a quality air purifier that is sized right for the room. A person who feels ill from time spent in a basement that smells of mold will feel better if an air purifier that is designed to remove airborne mold spores is used.
An air purifier that is chosen wisely really should help eliminate symptoms. Choosing an air purifier that will work in the above scenarios depends in part upon an understanding of the health issues involved and some understanding of the indoor air pollution present. Knowing what you are allergic to is a good first step, and may require testing by an allergist. However, if it’s spring, you can see the pollen in the ai,r and you’re congested, it’s pretty easy to self diagnose a problem with pollens. If you get out of an elevator feeling sick from the perfumes you smelled, you are probably chemically sensitive. An abundance of mold spores generally makes everyone feel badly.
In order to select an air purifier that will help, determine your symptoms as best you can. Evaluate the air quality in your home or office. Compare how you feel in your home or office to other locations where you feel better. Is the air noticeably cleaner in the other places? Is there an air purifier at work there? Study the different technologies available to determine which ones are best at removing particles, (particularly the smallest particles which can slip by the protective cilia in the nose and sinuses), and which ones are best at removing chemicals and gases. Look for products that do both if both are a problem for you. Study and compare the CFM ratings on the different air purifier models. CFM is the cubic feet per minute of clean air the air purifier puts back into the room.
An air purifier that works well must be designed to cover the amount of square footage in the room in which you want to place it, or more than one unit might be required. Generally, it is better to choose one that covers a greater area than you need to have cleaned because you can run it on a lower, thus quieter, speed. These are a few of the aspects of cleaning your indoor air that must be taken into consideration in order for the air purifier you purchase to actually make a difference in your health. There are excellent models on the market. They really do work, but before you buy, take some time to evaluate your needs and compare them to the products’ capabilities.