When you spend extended periods indoors, the air quality in your home plays a big role in your health and well-being. As homes become more airtight, indoor pollutants such as dust, pet dander and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) raise concerns, leading to increased demand for air purifiers. These systems are often separate units that can be placed in one room and not attached to the central HVAC.
The different types of air purifiers
Air purifiers come in many different forms. Each strategy will use distinct technologies to sanitize the air. These include the following:
1. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters.
HEPA filters are the gold standard when it comes to air purification. They are able to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%. People with respiratory problems or allergies find them quite useful. HEPA filters are only found in stand-alone purifiers for residential use.
2. Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon is highly porous and is excellent for trapping gases, odors, and VOCs. These compounds adhere to a bed of coal, which is available either in granular form or powder.
3. Ultraviolet (UV) purifiers.
UV purifiers use UV-C light to kill airborne pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. These devices are often used in conjunction with HEPA filters to provide a comprehensive air cleaning solution.
4. Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic purifiers emit a cloud of negatively charged ions that combine with positively charged particles in the air, causing them to fall to the ground or stick to nearby surfaces. Some contain a collector to attract the charged particles for easy disposal.
5. Ozone Generators
Ozone generators produce ozone specifically to neutralize odors and kill some airborne pathogens. However, ozone is a known lung irritant. Therefore, its use should be limited to unoccupied spaces.
6. Hybrid Air Purifiers
Hybrid air purifiers combine two or more of the technologies mentioned above. For example, a typical hybrid model may use HEPA and activated carbon filters to remove both particles and gases from the air.
The Inner Workings: How Air Purifiers Clean the Air
Whether using a physical filter to capture particles or technology to neutralize them, air purifiers operate on the principle of removing pollutants from the air. High speed fans draw air from the system, where it is treated and then recirculated back into the environment.
In order to separate it into different types, a HEPA filter captures the particles as they pass through the fibers of the material. Activated carbon absorbs gases and odors by trapping them in its porous structure.
UV purifiers use light to damage the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, making them unable to reproduce. Ionic purifiers function by emitting negatively charged ions into the air, which bind to positively charged particles such as dust.
Ozone generators produce ozone through an electrical discharge process, which breaks down oxygen molecules and forms ozone. This ozone then reacts with pollutants in the air, neutralizing them. Consider talking to Custom Air Inc. if you plan to use this method in your home.
Factors Affecting Air Purifier Performance
The first is room size and hourly air changes (ACH). If you need to clean a larger space, then make sure you choose an air purifier that is designed for that capacity. ACH refers to the number of times that the entire volume of air in a room passes through the purifier per hour. The higher the ACH, the more times the air is cleaned.
The second factor is placement. Your air purifier should be placed in the area where it can extract the most polluted air. This can be near a door, window, or high traffic areas.
Also consider the type and number of pollutants present in your environment. Different types of air purifiers are designed to target specific pollutants. For example, if you have a problem with pollen and dust, HEPA filters would be the best choice. On the other hand, if you have a mold problem, an activated carbon filter will be more beneficial.
Also, consider maintenance or refinishing. Regular maintenance is crucial for optimal performance. Filters need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and the units themselves must be cleaned of dust to ensure unobstructed air flow.
How to Improve the Efficiency of Air Purifiers
Keep your windows closed. Outdoor pollution can easily make its way inside, affecting the effectiveness of air purifiers.
Reduction of indoor pollutants. As much as the air filter’s job is to clean your indoor air, it is also important to minimize the amount of pollutants in your home. Dust, vacuum, and mop regularly to keep dust particles at bay. Use natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals that can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Finally, consider investing in an air purifier with sensors that can detect changes in air quality and automatically adjust its settings. This ensures that the purifier is working at its most efficient level, saving energy and money.
The efficacy of air purifiers is not just a matter of scientific principle. It is also reflected in the benefits they provide. Contact Custom Air Inc. in Piedmont today to get the right air purifier for your specific needs and ensure a healthier environment for you and your loved ones. We also offer heating and cooling repair, installation and maintenance, crawl space encapsulation, duct services, evaporator coils, geothermal, whole house dehumidifiers and air handlers.
