House Air Purifier Comparison

Compare Ultraviolet, Ionic, Carbon, Filter, and Living Air Purifiers

Apr 20, 2009 Victoria Anisman-Reiner

The wide variety of home air purifiers offers choices in portable room air cleaners as well as whole house air purifiers that combine several filters and techniques.

If you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory health concerns, you probably know all about air quality and the need for air filtration and purification. Clean air makes a huge difference to physical and mental well-being, but most homes and offices are plagued by dust, smoke, mold and mildew, paint fumes, chemical cleaners, and other allergens that can wreak havok on health. Fortunately, there are several options in powerful air purifiers than can clean air and provide relief for allergy and asthma sufferers.

Indoor Air Quality and Allergy Problems

Indoor air inside homes and office buildings may be more dangerous to allergy and asthma sufferers than outdoor allergens. Unlike outdoor air, particles like dust, cigarette smoke, mold, dust mite leavings, and pet dander are trapped inside an enclosed space with no chance to be swept away by the elements.

The problem is compounded with VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) from paint, chemical cleaning agents, hairspray and other personal care products that likewise have no chance to wash away. The only way to preserve clean air inside the home is with a powerful vacuum and a good air purifier.

Considerations in Buying a Home Air Purifier

If you're thinking about purchasing an air cleaner or purifier for your home, the following features may be factors in your decision:

air purifying ability
cost
noise
appearance
any byproducts of the air purification process
whether and how often parts might need to be replaced
electricity consumption

Electronic Whole House Air Purifiers

A whole house air purifier can be hooked up to your furnace or air conditioner's return air stream, cleaning air at one point in its circuit of the house. Most whole house air purification systems will combine several of the following air cleaner types, to enhance their effectiveness. Consumer reports tend to universally show that several portable purifiers are more effective than one stationary system, though, so this may not be the best way to go.

Ultraviolet Air Purifiers

Ultraviolet air purifiers kill germs by irradiating them using UV lamps. These air purifiers kill bacteria, viruses, mold and other fungi but have no impact on particles like dust and smoke.

Ionic Air Purifiers

Ionic air purifiers are newly popular. Air ionizers create negative ions, such as those found near moving water or in nature. Negative ions attract dust and other tiny particles, neutralizing smoke, dust, viruses, bacteria, but not odors.

There is some concern about the ozone produced by these air purifiers, which can present a serious risk to asthmatics.

Filter Air Purification Traps

Air filters depend on molecular size to trap particles like dust, mold spores, and dander. There is a range of effectiveness with this kind of air purifier. All require filters to be changed on a regular basis.

Carbon Air Purifiers

Activated carbon air purifiers work by absorbing tiny particles. These filters are ineffective on larger particles (so may be combined with another filter) and may not completely remove particles although carbon air purifiers are reasonably effective on smoke, paint and chemical fumes, and other odors.

The Original, Living Air Purifier

Plants are nature's way to purify the air and remove toxic VOCs and other chemicals. Spider plants, in particular, are known for their ability to clean the air and improve air quality.

The copyright of the article House Air Purifier Comparison in Home Management is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish House Air Purifier Comparison in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Air Purification Systems for Clean Indoor Air

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