What is the difference between air purifier and fresh air system

Air purifiers and fresh air systems are two common indoor air treatment devices, each playing distinct roles in improving indoor air quality. This article will explore the differences between air purifiers and fresh air systems to help readers better understand their functions and applicable scenarios.

Air purifiers and indoor fresh air systems

An air purifier is a device specifically designed to remove pollutants from indoor air. It works by drawing indoor air into its internal filtration system, where it removes harmful substances such as suspended particles, pollen, bacteria, viruses, odors, and other pollutants. The air purifier typically employs high-efficiency filtration technologies, such as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters and activated carbon filters, to ensure effective air purification.

The advantage of an air purifier lies in its flexibility and immediacy. It can rapidly improve indoor air quality and is suitable for various situations, especially when there are specific sources of pollution or a need for rapid air quality improvement.

On the other hand, a fresh air system focuses more on the metabolism and circulation of indoor air. It achieves this by introducing fresh air while simultaneously expelling indoor-polluted air, maintaining the freshness of indoor air. Components of a fresh air system include a fresh air fan, air handling equipment, and ventilation ducts, allowing for adjustments to the fresh air volume and temperature as needed.

The key advantage of a fresh air system is its ability to achieve long-term, continuous indoor air circulation. This helps eliminate the accumulation of indoor harmful gases and provides a more comfortable indoor environment. Fresh air systems are suitable for places that require maintaining good air quality over an extended period, such as office buildings, schools, hospitals, and similar environments.

The two differ in their principles of air circulation

An air purifier operates on an internal circulation principle, wherein it purifies indoor air by passing it through filters and then recirculates the cleaned air back into the indoor environment. On the other hand, a fresh air system operates on an external circulation principle, drawing outdoor air through filters for purification before delivering it indoors. Simultaneously, the system expels the indoor-polluted air to the outside.

An air purifier primarily focuses on purifying pollutants in indoor air, including particles, formaldehyde, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), bacteria, viruses, and more. In contrast, a fresh air system not only purifies indoor air pollutants but also introduces fresh outdoor air, thereby improving the indoor air’s oxygen content.

Air purifiers are suitable for situations where there is a need for immediate improvement in air quality, such as homes, offices, and vehicles. On the other hand, fresh air systems are suitable for places and enclosed spaces where a consistently good air quality needs to be maintained over the long term, including homes, offices, factories, etc.

The advantages and disadvantages of both

The advantages of air purifiers include simple installation, relatively lower cost, and convenient operation. However, their drawback is that they can only purify indoor air and do not supply fresh air indoors, potentially leading to secondary pollution with prolonged use.

On the other hand, the advantages of fresh air systems lie in their ability to provide fresh air to indoor spaces, improving the indoor air’s oxygen content. Nevertheless, their downsides include complex installation, relatively higher costs, and the potential for increased noise levels.

For typical household users, if the primary concern is purifying indoor air pollutants, choosing an air purifier would be suitable. On the other hand, if the focus is on improving the indoor air’s oxygen content, a fresh air system may be the preferred option. Additionally, if the indoor space is large, considering the simultaneous use of both an air purifier and a fresh air system could be beneficial.