Best Air Purifiers For Your Allergies

An air purifier is a device that removes contaminants and allergens from air and improves indoor air- quality. These devices provide a benefit to allergy sufferers and asthmatics. The best air purifiers for allergies in the market are usually costly but highly reliable.

Air purifiers employee two types of purification techniques i.e, Active and passive techniques.

In Active purification, the Air purifier releases negatively charged particles that bind to the dust and allergen particles and brings them down. Passive Air purifiers use filter units to remove pollutants. Since passive air purifiers remove the dust and particulate matter from the air, they are considered more efficient than active air purifiers.

Types of filters

• High-efficiency particulate arrestance filters remove 99.7% of 0.3 micrometer particles and remove larger particles easily. HEPA purifiers must be arranged in such a way that no air should go unpurified in a room. One advantage of HEPA filters is that they can be fitted with conventional filters in a dusty environment so that they don’t need to be cleaned very often . HEPA filters are eco-friendly and don’t generate any harmful byproducts that may pollute the environment.
• HVAC at MERV 14 can remove particles that are 0.3 micrometers and larger. HVAC filters have a capture rate of 75% although it has a lower capture rate than a HEPA filter. A ventilation system can increase its efficiency. Using a MERV filter in an HEPA machine will decrease costs.

OTHER METHODS

Activated Carbon

It is a material that can adsorb chemicals but does not remove particles that are off a larger size, activated carbon only changes the phase of the material from gaseous to solid and normally attached with another filter to increase its efficiency and help it function better.

UVGI

Air that passes through UV lamps is sterilized by UVGI. In this type of purification, the purifier is installed with a fan that circulates the air inside the purifier and  an UV lamp that kills all the microorganisms. A filter is also attached to the purifier so that the dead microorganisms are trapped and only fresh and purified air is let out into the surroundings.

Ionizer purifiers

An ionizer purifier uses electrical surfaces to generate electrical ions which attach themselves to other charged particles and dust particles. These particles are then attracted towards a charged plate.] which is situated inside the purifier. Ionizer purifiers generate very little pollution and some ozone by products which are well inside the industry standard for pollution.

Ozone generators produce ozone which is a harmful gas to the environment . The only safe way of using ozone generators is in unoccupied rooms, where “shock treatment” is done. Ozone generators are used to remove allergens such as molds and danders and are highly effective. Although they are bad for the environment, occasional use of the generator is not considered to be a threat, but using the machine for a prolonged amount of time releases many harmful byproducts into the atmosphere.

While buying air purifiers please be informed about the element of room coverage. An air purifier that can cover 1000 sq ft won’t be able to purify the air in a 1500 sq ft area. Most air purifiers have their room coverage displayed on their website, so please check the description box before going ahead with the purchase.