Air purifiers are all the hype these days, but are they really worth it? In fact, what does an air purifier actually do and why should you invest in one?
Like many others, if you also need answers to these questions, then you have landed on the right post. After thorough research, I have compiled a complete guide to air purifiers.
Let’s discuss all you need to know about air purifiers, their usage, and their varieties without further ado.
What Does an Air Purifier Do and Why is it so Popular?
As the name itself suggests, an air purifier’s job is to clean the air around it. Depending upon the type of air purifier, it can get rid of airborne dust particles, allergens, bacteria and viruses, pet hair and dander, mold spores, hair, pollen, human skin cells, etc.
It does so either by:
- using filters to trap impurities
- ionizing unwanted particles
- using UV light to disinfect the air around
If not removed, these impurities significantly affect the quality of your air. As a result, polluted air can cause breathing problems and allergies and affect the cleanliness of the place as well. An air purifier gets rid of such impurities to a great extent and minimizes such risks.
Now that we know what air purifiers are, let’s look at different types of air purifiers and what each one of them does.
Types of Air purifiers and What They Do
Various air purifiers are suitable for different needs. Each one uses a different technology to perform its job. Here are the three main types of air purifiers you can find in the market:
HEPA
This is the most commonly used air purifier. It is used to remove airborne pollen, dust particles, mold and even some bacteria.
HEPA filter air purifiers work by sucking air inside, passing it through a filter, and then pushing the clean air out into the atmosphere. The filter traps unwanted materials so that only clean air flows out the other end.
Ionizer
Unlike HEPA, ionizer air purifiers do not use a filter to clean air. Instead, they release charged ions into the air, which combine with harmful airborne impurities. As a result, these particles become too heavy to float around and thus fall to the ground. From there, they can simply be cleaned away. Some ionizers also come with a plate to collect the fallen particles.
UV Light
UV light air purifiers use UV light of a shorter wavelength to disinfect the air by damaging the DNA of harmful bacteria, viruses and other germs. Like HEPA, this air purifier also sucks air in but then passes it from a UV lamp. As a result, the air that flows out is disinfected.
Activated Carbon
This is another air purifier type that uses a filter to clean air. Instead of a HEPA filter, it uses an activated carbon filter. This air purifier is mainly used to remove odor and filter out toxins from the air.
Benefits of an Air purifier
Let’s come to the benefits of air purifiers. Here I will discuss the top 8 reasons why people find it worth it to invest in air purifiers:
1. Easy Cleaning for Pet Owners
If you are a pet owner, you know how much of a hassle it is to maintain a clean atmosphere free from pet hair, odor and dander. Air purifiers can help a lot in this regard. They will not only clean the air from pet hair and dander, but will also decrease allergens. This means that you and your guests are less likely to develop allergies.
Air purifiers allow you to enjoy your pets without constantly worrying about cleanliness and odor. In addition, they will make your house smell fresher and cut down the cleaning effort.
2. Removal of Bacteria & Viruses
If you or your family members tend to get sick quickly, air purifiers might be best for you. Here’s why:
There are millions of harmful microorganisms around us that can cause illnesses. Air purifiers disinfect the air by filtering or killing such microorganisms and pathogens.
A HEPA filter air purifier works the best for filtering out bacteria but to get rid of viruses, you will need a UV light air purifier. While bacteria get trapped by the HEPA filter, viruses are killed by UV light.
3. Get Rid of Unpleasant Odors
If you’re tired of investing in air fresheners and want a permanent solution to household odors, air purifiers can be an excellent one-time investment. A carbon filter air purifier will help eliminate household odors caused by cooking, smoking, garbage, etc.
Carbon filters trap smelly molecules and create odorless, fresher air for your surroundings. Most people who use air purifiers consider them worth it simply because they make their house smell fresher.
4. Minimize Allergies & Asthma
People suffering from allergies, asthma and other breathing problems can directly benefit from air purifiers. These illnesses are caused by air contaminants like pollen, various allergens, bacteria and mold. Air purifiers can filter out all these impurities and provide cleaner air for you to breathe. This can protect you from minor sicknesses and also improve your overall health in the longer run.
HEPA filter air purifier works the best for this purpose.
5. Removal of Harmful Toxins
Many household items release harmful toxins into the air. These toxins can be hazardous if present in large concentrations. Paint, adhesives, cleaners, and furniture can be sources of such toxins, especially when brand new.
A good solution can be a carbon filter air purifier. It will purify the air against toxins to create a safer environment for you. If your place is not adequately ventilated, you should consider investing in an air purifier.
6. Filter Out Smoke
This one is for smokers who would like their homes to smell fresher and also for people who cook frequently but do not have a sound ventilation system. A good HEPA filter air purifier will not only decrease odor but will also filter out visible smoke particles. This will result in fresher, odorless air.
Air purifiers can also be a good investment for people living in areas prone to wildfires.
7. Minimize Dust
Another popular reason people buy air purifiers is to minimize dust in their homes. A HEPA air purifier and an ionizer both work great for this purpose. They can clean your air against pollens, dust particles, dust mites, mold spores, etc.
A HEPA filter air purifier will trap contaminants in its filter, while an ionizer will ionize them, make them dense, and finally fall to a surface.
If your house is in an area with lots of dust, air purifiers can help you cut down on cleaning time.
8. Minimize Mold Production
Last but not least, air purifiers are great at capturing airborne mold spores and keeping them from further reproduction. A three-in-one air purifier that combines UV light, a carbon filter and a HEPA filter works the best at filtering mold spores. In addition, it will keep your surrounding air fresh and odorless.
Do I Need an Air purifier?
By now, you must have sound knowledge about what an air purifier is and what it is beneficial for. However, if you are still thinking about whether it is a good investment for you or not, don’t worry because I’m going to break it down further.
You should get an air purifier if:
- You have pets that require high maintenance because of excessive shedding and odor.
- You are quick to get sick because of common viruses and bacteria.
- You have kids and are concerned about the quality of air around them.
- Your house lacks a sound ventilation system and you are worried about the amount of smoke and odor inside the house.
- You want a cleaner living space without constant cleaning.
- You want fresher, odorless air in your house.
- You want some relief from your asthma and allergies to help you sleep and breathe better.
- You want to make sure that harmful toxins don’t go into your body, especially if you are redoing your current home or moving into a new one.
- You or your loved ones get allergic reactions from airborne mold spores.
- You want to improve your overall physical health.
However, air purifiers might not be for you if:
- The air in and around your house is naturally high quality
- You have pets, but they don’t shed much and do not have an odor problem
- You have a sound ventilation system in your home and don’t experience any smoke accumulation inside
- Your house or the materials inside are at least 2-3 years old
- You have a healthy immune system that does not get affected by common bacteria and viruses
- You do not have health issues like allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems
- You do not experience unpleasant smells inside your house
Are There Any Downsides to Air purifiers?
Like any other appliance, air purifiers also have their drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons, so they are often neglected.
Nonetheless, let’s look at a few things you might want to consider before making up your mind about buying an air purifier:
- Air purifiers require consistent maintenance. You will need to keep an eye on their filters and other essential parts to ensure early fixes in case of an issue. Keep in mind that air purifiers may cost you an expensive repair if you show negligence in maintenance, or if you don’t know how to clean an air purifier correctly.
- Getting an air purifier will not completely rid you of cleaning your house. It can reduce your cleaning time, but you will still need to clean your place yourself. Relying solely on a machine would not be enough to keep your house clean. This is especially true for ionizer air purifiers that make contaminants fall on surfaces.
- Since each type of air purifier serves a different cleaning purpose, you will not get an all-in-one solution by buying any one type. For example, if you want to reduce odor and disinfect air against bacteria, you will need both a carbon filter and a HEPA filter air purifier. However, there are some 3-in-1 options available in the market that can solve this problem.
Compared to the pros of air purifiers, these cons can be ignored. Still, to ensure that your air purifier does not become an ongoing burden on your pocket, keep checking it regularly for any damages that can be fixed right away before turning into a significant problem.
So, Are Air Purifiers Worth It? Final Verdict
Finally, we are at the end of our post. After an in-depth discussion about the pros and cons of air purifiers, it is safe to conclude that they are a great way to improve overall air quality. They fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, mold spores, help with asthma and breathing problems, allergies, odors, pet dander and hair, and much more.
If you do not face any of the problems mentioned above and are happy with the air quality around you, air purifiers may not be for you. However, if you feel the need to have fresher, healthier surroundings, then you must consider getting an air purifier.
Considering various available options, finding a variant that best suits your particular needs is essential. This is a smart way to get maximum value for your money that ensures that your purchase is “worth it.”
That’s it from our end, but if you have any more questions, feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to help!