How to choose the right home air purifier

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 has further increased people’s awareness of their living environment, and air purifiers have gradually become a new choice for many families to improve their living conditions. However, making the right choice among numerous brands and models can be confusing. This article will provide you with a brief guide on selecting an air purifier suitable for your home.

Ⅰ. Define Needs and Objectives

Before selecting an air purifier, it is essential to clearly define the needs and objectives of your home. Is it to address allergy symptoms caused by allergens, or is it to reduce the concentration of indoor particulate matter? Different purifiers may have distinct features, so clarifying objectives helps in choosing a product that is more targeted. If family members are allergic to pollen, dust mites, pet dander, etc., then it’s necessary to choose an air purifier that can effectively filter these allergens. Additionally, if there are family members who smoke or have pets, selecting a purifier capable of removing smoke and odors is also crucial.

Consider the age, health conditions, and special needs of family members. Infants and elderly individuals may have a higher sensitivity to air quality, necessitating a more efficient air purifier. Additionally, certain special groups may be sensitive to noise, requiring the selection of a product with lower noise levels.

From the perspective of room space, different rooms and usage locations may have varying requirements. For instance, a bedroom might require a quiet air purifier that effectively filters allergens, while a kitchen might need a product capable of removing cooking odors. Additionally, different air purifiers have varying effective coverage areas, so it is essential to choose a product based on the size of your living space.

Ⅱ. Understand Different Types of Air Purifiers

Air purifiers come in various types, including HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, ion generators, and more. HEPA filters are suitable for filtering tiny particles, activated carbon filters can adsorb odors and harmful gases, while ion generators clean the air by releasing charged ions.

1). HEPA Filter

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are mechanical filters capable of efficiently capturing tiny particles in the air, such as dust mites, pollen, bacteria, and viruses. Choosing an air purifier with a HEPA filter can effectively improve indoor air quality, making it particularly suitable for allergy sufferers and individuals with asthma.

2). Activated Carbon Filter

Activated carbon filters remove odors and harmful gases, such as smoke, kitchen odors, and formaldehyde, by adsorbing gas molecules. This type of purifier is highly effective in enhancing the freshness and comfort of indoor air.

3). Ion Generator

Ion generators clean the air by releasing charged ions, causing particles in the air to become charged and settle to the ground or be captured by the purifier. This helps reduce particle concentration in the air but requires regular cleaning of surfaces.

4). UV-C Light Purifier

This type of purifier utilizes ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. UV-C light purifiers have some effectiveness in preventing the spread of airborne viruses, but their ability to filter particles is relatively weak.

5). Electronic Precipitator

Electronic precipitators use electrostatic attraction to capture particles such as dust and smoke. This type of purifier typically requires higher energy consumption but is effective in removing larger particles.

6). Hybrid Purifier

Some air purifiers combine multiple technologies, such as a combination of HEPA filters and activated carbon filters, to address various air quality issues. These multi-functional purifiers are typically suitable for situations where there are multiple sources of pollutants in the home.

Ⅲ. Pay Attention to CADR Values

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is a crucial indicator for measuring the performance of an air purifier. It represents the rate at which the purifier can clean particles from the air within a specific timeframe. The higher the CADR value, the better the performance of the purifier. When choosing an air purifier suitable for your home, paying attention to CADR values is a critical step.

CADR values are typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), indicating how much air the purifier can clean in one minute. CADR includes assessments of cleaning efficiency for dust, pollen, and smoke. The CADR value should match the size of the room where you intend to use the purifier. Generally, higher CADR values are suitable for larger room areas. If you plan to use the purifier in multiple rooms, selecting a product with adjustable fan speeds and higher CADR values ensures effective air cleaning in different rooms.

Ⅳ. Consider Energy Consumption and Maintenance Costs

When selecting a home air purifier, it’s important not only to focus on its performance but also to carefully consider energy consumption and maintenance costs. Choosing a purifier with higher energy efficiency can reduce long-term operational expenses, contributing to energy savings. Additionally, understanding the replacement frequency and costs of the purifier’s filters is crucial to avoid future maintenance costs negatively impacting the household budget. By comprehensively considering performance, energy consumption, and maintenance costs, you can ensure that the chosen air purifier not only provides clean air but also aligns with the economic realities of your household.

Ⅴ. Negative Ion Air Purifiers

With the development of air purification products, negative ion air purifiers have become one of the more popular options today. It would be incomplete not to mention them in this article. Negative ion air purifiers generate and release ions with a negative charge. These ions react with particles such as dust, bacteria, and pollen in the air, giving them a negative charge. This causes the particles to settle in the air or be captured by the purifier. However, the relatively weak aspect of negative ion air purifiers is their effectiveness in handling odors and harmful gases. Compared to activated carbon filters, their adsorption capacity is weaker, so their effectiveness in treating odors and harmful gases may be limited. Additionally, during the generation of negative ions, some models of negative ion air purifiers may produce a certain amount of ozone. High concentrations of ozone may have negative effects on the human body, so it is essential to check whether the product complies with relevant safety standards when making a choice.