Air Purifiers: Your Buying Guide

When you live in North Texas, you expect pollen, dust, and chemicals to be blowing around in the air outside. But, it’s also floating around in your house, your office and everywhere else. Just about any HVAC system has an air filter to remove much of the contaminates in the air. Unfortunately, most of these filters were designed to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system. They weren’t specifically designed to remove those harmful particles and chemicals. Many of these particles will certainly worsen allergies and respiratory problems. Having a good air purifier can really improve the air quality, but you really need to research and compare all the available options before purchasing one.

Like most people when they people researching various air purifiers, you may be a little confused by all the different ratings and terminology. Considering your area or room size is a good first step. Some air purifiers are designed for a single room, while others are designed for an average size home. Deciding what size area needs to be addressed will really narrow down the options. You might also consider buying multiple smaller units for different floors or rooms of your home.

One of the other primary considerations is the circulation cycle. The circulation cycle measures the time it takes to completely circulate all the air in the space through the air purifier. Some will take as little as 4 hours, while others may take longer, to completely circulate the air depending on fan speed. Some air purifiers have variable speed fans. You should compare models using the average speed setting on the fan. Setting the fan at top speed increases the strain on the motor, increases energy usage, and shortens the life of the air purifier.

Many air purifiers have additional features beyond variable fan speeds. Some of the models offer remote controls, programmable interfaces, or have sensors that tell the unit to “sleep” once the air is clean. These features may reduce the cost of energy usage and wear on the motor and other parts.

Homeowners should also consider the type of filter the models require. Most air purifiers have a HEPA Filter, which captures 99.9% of the air contaminates that measure 3 microns or larger. Almost any particle that causes allergies and breathing problems, like dust, pollen, mold spores and even some bacteria, will be filtered out of the air. Some models also have additional filters, like carbon filters, that help remove additional things like cooking and pet odors from the air.

Physical appearance of each different model of air purifier also factors into most people’s decisions. Most models come in different shapes, some are a cube or rectangle, while other are a taller tower. Each type has it’s own style and space requirements. Models also come in various colors, usually black, white or metallic.

Regular cleaning and maintenance are important for the life of your air purifier. The best air purifiers choice should be easy to clean (inside and out) and the filter should be replaced easily. If the filter becomes very dirty, the unit uses more power and runs inefficiently. You should also compare the filter replacement costs and life span of the filters. Some filters may need more regular replacement, which may be an increased overall cost. Also, most people use air filters in their main living or sleeping areas, so buying a quiet unit that isn’t distracting is important.

An air purifier can vastly improve the air quality, especially for those suffering from respiratory illnesses, like asthma, and allergies. For more ideas to improve your home’s air quality, call us at Berkeys.

When you need a dependable, knowledgeable plumber, electrician or HVAC technician in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, call a name you trust. Berkeys Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical 24/7, Call us 972-439-1581 or visit berkeys.com for questions and scheduling information or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Berkeys.

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