Air purifiers remove allergens such as dust, pet dander, smoke and mold from the environment. Air purifiers can help allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people suffering from breathing problems caused or exacerbated by environmental factors. You should consider several factors when choosing an air purifier for your home.
Room Air Purifiers
Room air purifiers are designed for houses without forced-air heating and cooling. They weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and sit on the floor or a table. Room air purifiers may or may not use a high-efficienency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove ultrafine particles and irritants from the enviornment. The IQAir HealthPro Plus room air purifier was ranked the No. 1 air purifier by ConsumerSearch.com, the Allergy Buyer's Club, Wired Magazine, Consumer Guide, Reviewboard Magazine, Consumer Digest and Test Magazine. The manufacturers are quick to point out that the IQAir HealthPro Plus was the purifier of choice for Hong Kong hospitals during the 2003 SARS outbreak.
Whole-House Purifiers
Whole-house air purifiers are built into a forced-air heating and cooling system, according to Consumer Reports. Installed in the ductwork, these models filter air for every room in the home. More expensive than their room-purifiying counterparts, they must be installed by a professional. Filtration technology varies widely. The Allergy Consumer Review website lists the Amaircare 10000 Whole House HEPA Central Air Purifier as its highest-rated model. The purifier is made to be retrofitted into your existing heating and cooling system. The purifier works only when the central furnace fan is blowing.
Filterless Purifiers
Filterless air purifiers charge air, removing dust and allergens. They do not require the purchase of replacement filters and often run with less noise than conventional air purifiers. The Alen A350 Air Purifier is wall-mountable and removes 98 percent of allergens and air impurities in a 400-square-foot room. The model comes with a lifetime warranty. The Alen A350 uses a pre-filter, but the manufacturer says it has the lowest replacement cost among available models. Air Purifiers America lists the Alen A350 as its best-selling model.
