Consumers are learning to be energy efficient. Most energy efficient homes are now completely sealed first air leakage resulting in better energy conservation. However at the same time, the improved sealing also means that indoor air pollution in on a rise. Efficient air purifiers are the best way to ensure that family members and pets are not exposed to dangerous indoor pollutants in the form of emissions, cleaning chemicals, animal dander or even dust mites which may cause chronic respiratory conditions.

Types of air filters: Which one would be the best air purifier for my home?

There are several different types of air filters that are commonly used but they are usually based on the particle removal process or air filter process to clean up the air inside the home.

• Particle removal air filters work by sucking in air and running it against electrostatic filters. Particle removal models are cheaper and extremely portable and they were very popular with hospitals as well as with homeowners. However, in recent years, there has been a serious drop in popularity. One of the major problems associated with these cleaners is the generation of ozone. Most machines do generate ozone as a natural by product but the actual amount of ozone that is generated is quite safe. However, researchers have found that particulate filters seem to produce higher than normal amounts of ozone which could be very dangerous. A few machines actively produce ozone and use it to clean household air. To protect the consumer, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) machines has regulations in force which state that machines which release more than 50 parts per billion (ppb) of ozone are not safe for consumer use.
• Hybrid filters use the properties of a mechanical filter along with ion generators to clean air.
• Filter-based cleaners work by passing air through HEPA filters, ULPA filters and charcoal or carbon filters. These filters actively catch and filter particulates, smoke, cooking odors, chemical odors, mold pollen, bacteria and other pollutants in indoor air.

As are result, most medical grade air filters will use high quality combinations of ULPA and HEPA as filters to ensure that rooms are clean and filled with completely filtered air. For your home or office, medical-grade hepa cleaners would be ideal as it can filter almost any kind of indoor pollutant. Hepa air purifiers contain filters that are about 0.3 microns in size and they can filter almost 99.97 of all particulate matter present in air. Inside the hepa air purifiers, a filter made of thin densely packed glass fibers is arranged such that it traps all large particulate matter against the mat.

HEPA air purifiers

As more and more air passes through the filter, the larger particular matter blocks the smaller particulate matter resulting in a completely-pollution free stream. The filter screens do get blocked and they have to be changed regularly to ensure optimum cleaning. A few HEPA models also have prefilters and activated carbon filters which provide a three-layer protection.

What are the different brands in the market and how do I find one for myself?
There are several brands in the market at present. However, the most popular air purifier brands include Honeywell and Hunter.

If your home has central air conditioning or central heating, both Honeywell and Hunter have special models that can be built into your home heating and cooling system. This is much better than choosing portable systems which will only clean the air of a single room. Purifiers that are built into the home ventilation system will also result in lower energy bills and lesser noise pollution inside the home.

best air purifier

If you do not want to invest in a full home filtration system you can also pick and choose models that are portable and which will work in a single room. For example, both Honeywell and Hunter make portable models that are priced in the $99 range and which go up to about $500 depending on the features and the size of the model. The Honeywell website will direct you to an interior page where air purifier reviews of individual models are listed. The usability rating, warranty and dimensions of each model is listed on the air purifier reviews and you can pick a portable model to suit your needs. The Hunter site has simple categories which make it easier to find a purifier for your home.

 Apart from individual websites, you can also check with large supermarkets like Target, Wal-Mart and Costco which will have several different varieties of filters. These supermarkets usually buy their products in bulk and the products are priced far lower than market rate for this reason. However, you will only be able to find portable models which can be moved from one room to another.

Air Purifier Reviews

Before you choose a portable model, we suggest you read a few air purifier reviews which will guide you on how to choose a purifier for your needs. Ideally, a portable machine should be able to provide 6 air changes per hour in the same size room and it should have an clean air delivery rate of about 80 or more. The machine should also have a 360-degree air flow into and out of the room to ensure optimum air filtration. The machine should also be made from high quality metal or virgin plastic that does not produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are a form of indoor pollution which can aggravate respiratory conditions.

At present, there are no regulations that are set up to recommend the best air purifiers for home use and the choice is entirely up to you. However, the FDA has registered a few models that are Class II medical approved. These models are commonly used in hospitals and they are also available for home use. Check the model for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal, and FDA approval tag on the paperwork before purchase. You may also consult with a medical professional who will tell you how to find medical grade air purifiers.

Air Purifiers