Is it worth investing in an air purifier? The answer is a resounding yes! Air purifiers are great for eliminating dust, pollen, dust mites, pet hair, and other airborne particles. If your air purifier has a True HEPA filter, you can be sure that all of these particles will be removed efficiently. People who have pets often suffer from allergies due to pet dander, hair, and fur. An air purifier can effectively filter out this dander from the air, making the environment cleaner and healthier.
This is especially important for families with young children who are more sensitive to pet dander than adults. It's important to note that air purifiers are designed to filter the air in one room, not the entire house. A whole-house air purifier system is connected to a home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The best way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate any sources of pollutants and ventilate with clean outdoor air.
When these methods are not possible or not enough, portable air purifiers can help reduce indoor pollution. For example, a purifier with a CADR of 250 for dust particles reduces dust particle levels to the same concentration that would be achieved by adding 250 cubic feet of clean air per minute. Indoor air can be two to five times dirtier than outdoor air, so it makes sense that interest in air purifiers would increase in winter when cold weather keeps us indoors with windows closed. If you want to improve overall air quality, look for a purifier like the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty (opens in a new tab) that works well across the board.
But in cases where nothing can be done, air purifiers can help remove small particles, pollutants, and toxins from the air by using filters and chemicals. Ultraviolet light can also be effective in inactivating coronavirus, so healthcare organizations, hospitals, and schools have used a combination of HEPA and UVGI filters to filter recirculated air. The EPA warns that most air purifiers do not have CADR ratings high enough to effectively remove large contaminants such as dust mites and cockroach-related allergens for a typical room size. The health benefits of using an air purifier vary from person to person and depend on the types of pollutants in your home. Therefore, it is ultimately up to you to decide if an air purifier is worth buying and using.
When choosing an air purifier, look for one that offers the best filtration for common contaminants in your home and is the right size for your space. Additionally, evaluate secondary characteristics such as noise levels and portability. If an air purifier isn't an option, ventilating your home with an open window or door can reduce the concentration of pollutants inside. You should also check the manufacturer's label for the clean air supply rate (CADR), a number that measures the machine's effectiveness in removing airborne particles and gases. CR does not recommend this type of air purifier as it can lead to hazardous indoor air quality.
For families with children or parents with respiratory diseases, doctors often recommend keeping air quality as high as possible to allow easy breathing and eliminate the possibility of health problems. If you want to use your air purifier in different rooms throughout the day or night, look for a smaller device or one that rolls easily. The initial cost of your air purifier is important if you have a limited budget but don't forget that you'll also need to factor in ongoing costs such as replacement filters.