If you suffer from allergies, an air purifier is one way to rid your home of smoke, pet dander, and other allergens that can cause reactions. There are many different types of purifier available, however, and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the different technologies can help you make the right choice for your home. Two of the most common types of air purifier are ionic- and filter-based machines.
Air Filters
Filter-based air purifiers operate on an extremely simple design. A fan blows or pulls air through a filter whose mesh is designed to trap tiny particles. As the air in the entire room circulates through the unit, it is cleaned of smoke, spores, and other airborne contaminants. The most effective filters bear the HEPA designation, which means they will capture 99.97 percent of all particles greater than 0.03 microns in size, which include most types of allergens.
Ionic Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers work by transferring an electrical charge to any particles that pass through the unit. Depending on the design, this can either cause them to stick to collection plates within the unit itself, or differing fields can place opposing charges on the particles, causing them to stick to each other and fall out of the air. In either case, the allergens are removed from the airflow of the room, increasing the air quality.
Maintenance
If you use a filter-based air purifier, to keep it working effectively you will need to replace the filter periodically. Replacement filters are available from the manufacturer, and clean filters are always better at purifying the air than dirty ones. Ionic filters that use collection plates must periodically be cleaned, although these can usually simply be rinsed off. Other ionic purifiers without plates can cause charged particles to settle on surfaces in your home, requiring periodic cleaning.
Ozone
One side effect of many ionic purifiers is the creation of ozone. Ozone in air purification systems was originally used as a way to oxidize particles and remove unwanted odors from the air, but in high concentrations ozone can be dangerous to humans and other living things. Many ionic purifiers can create ozone as a side effect of their electrostatic fields, and while the concentration of the gas is relatively low, if you have sensitive lungs or small animals in the house, you will want to avoid these types of units.
Effectiveness
Both types of purifier can help clean the air in your home. However, these units can only clean the air that moves through them, so you should avoid any purifier that does not include a fan for air circulation. For the best air quality, choose a fan-based HEPA-certified air filter, as these are the most effective for trapping and neutralizing airborne contaminants.
