The air purification industry is rife with scams and misrepresentations, probably due in part to the intrinsic value of clean indoor air. People who need and demand cleaner air, especially those who suffer because they require optimal indoor air quality, are often taken advantage of. Fortunately, the technology to dramatically improve indoor air quality does exist. A HEPA air purifier is the best option for those looking to buy an air filter.
This type of filter absorbs more than 99.97 percent of the tiny 0.3 micron particles in the air. Another evidence-based method of cleaning the air is to filter the air in the home through an HVAC system configured to recirculate. Smoke and other particles will be absorbed into the house filter and pushed through the system. When it comes to cooking, which creates a lot of compounds, especially when using a gas stove, as well as cleaning, experts suggest opening windows to eliminate cleaning products as producers of compounds you may not want to inhale.
Contrary to popular belief, increasing the humidity of a room with poor air quality will not stimulate particles to fall from the sky and fall like rain. Christopher Cappa, an environmental engineer at the University of California at Davis, explains that this can actually have an irritating effect. Studies have been conducted that analyzed how plants decrease so-called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the air, but these studies were conducted under very controlled conditions, not in homes that have complex air environments. So-called clean-burning candles will emit more compounds into the air than regular candles. The problem is the flame; wax and flavoring agents heat up, but only burn for one millisecond, so there is no possibility of complete combustion because the time is very short.
Negative ion filters are sometimes compared to HEPA air filters, but they are not very effective. They work by firing negative ions into the air, causing particles to stick to walls or floor and expelling them from the air. The answer to 'Do air purifiers really work?' is a simple yes; however, it's important to understand what they can and can't do. Air purifiers can vary in price, but they do work. They usually consist of a filter, or several filters, and a fan that sucks in and circulates the air.
Some filters are reusable and washable, but require meticulous maintenance, so they are not normally found in the most effective air purifiers. Because renovated homes typically don't bring as much outside air as older homes, contaminants such as dust, pet dander, and cleaning products can build up inside. Choosing an air purifier that uses a true HEPA filter together with activated carbon is sure to be effective. Certain versions are made with filters to trap particles as air passes through them, while others can neutralize other particles in the air without filtering them first. These filters are usually in the form of true HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, which are common in most air purifiers. If you often need to keep your house closed or if it is simply very well sealed and there are no air leaks from windows and doors, then a mechanical ventilation system could be the solution. An air purifier can act as a supplement to a filter and other strategies to help remove particles such as dust, pet dander, smoke or tobacco odors and cleaning products from your home's indoor environment.
But when used in conjunction with an improved filter for your HVAC system, they can greatly reduce the concentration of indoor air pollution. An air purifier uses this filter as if you were putting one of those refills in your plug-in scent in your bedroom or car. The air then passes through a series of filters; the number of filters usually depends on the unit. A good air purifier can help eliminate wildfire smoke or tobacco odors; however you should look for a product with a HEPA filter.
