How does air purifiers work? Do we even need one in our house or not?

An air purifier is an air pollutant cleansing device. So, the question may arise in your minds that how does air purifiers work? Now, let us have a close look at it.

In short, what is an “air purifier”?

Air purifier is an electronic appliance. It works in the household to remove all types of dust particles and pollutant from air. It is pretty affordable and nowadays used in many homes.

Why do we need an air purifier?

We cannot live a minute without breathing. It is an essential part of a human being. So, we must breathe clean and pollution-free air. We might think that outdoor air contains more pollution than indoor air. But it is mistaken. As recent studies show that indoor air is consists of 4-5 times more impurities than the outdoor air. Now we spend most of the time in our house with our family. So, it is really important to check the environmental well-being of your sweet home.

There are a lot of germs, dust particles, allergens, odors, pollen, smokes, etc. in indoor. We can’t see them in naked eyes. For this reason, we need a good quality of air purifier. To keep the air pollutants and impurities away from the indoor environment.

Now how does air purifiers work?

Air purifiers have internal fans. The internal fans take the indoor air through a series of filtration. Which removes harmful air impurities. Such as bacteria, pet dander, dust particles, etc. The filtration happens many times in an hour. To ensure your indoor environment clean and fresh.

Types of air purifiers:

Air purifiers can be different types depending on its filtration mechanism.But if you are searching for one in the market then the most recommended one is the machine that uses HEPA filter. Now, what is HEPA? It stands for high-efficiency particulate arrestance. If any filter has to be certified by HEPA, then it must remove 99.97% of dust particles and 0.3 microns (where the household contains typically 0.5 microns of dust particles) from the air. HEPA removes all kinds of bigger or smaller dust, impurities, mites, germs, etc. from the air. With each time filtration of air by HEPA, you get more fresh air. As a result, the Department of Energy, declared HEPA air filters are the gold standard. They are known for the elimination of allergens and airborne type impurities and germs. Besides the HEPA there are also other types of filters. They work for the removal of particular impurities. Such as:

UV (ultraviolet) purifier:

The UV lights remove viruses, bacteria from the indoor air. Thus, it stops spreading harmful flu and airborne diseases in your house. It works better when combined with the HEPA filter. In UV filter intense lights get radiated on the body of viruses and bacteria. Which break down their DNA bonded pair. As a result, the functionality of bacteria and virus shut down. But there is an exception too in UV purification. UV only works to remove bacteria and viruses from the air. But they don’t have any effect on pollutant particles. It may also produce ozone which is not good for your health and also the UV light can burn the skin and damage eyes.

Activated Carbon filtered purifiers:

Activated Carbon is good for adsorbing pollutants and impurities. As it is a porous material. When the air pollutant passes through the filter it captures the germs and impurities in its pores (as the pores are chemically reactive to impurities and pollutants). It is normally combined with HEPA filtration technology for good performance. Activated Carbon is very good at the removal of odors, chemicals, smokes from the air. but it cannot remove dust and allergens. It even works at room temperature. But it has one disadvantage too. That is, it merely changes contamination from the gaseous state to solid-state. So, if the filtration gets disturbed it can regenerate contamination in indoor air too.

Ionizer purifier:

Ionic air filter doesn’t work as a traditional air purifier. They release waves of negative ion in the air. These ions get attracted to the positively charged pollutants. As a result, the airborne particle gains extra weight and become too heavy to remain airborne. Though they attract pollutants but some small amount of impurities gets stuck in the room. So, we can say that it can’t get rid of all pollutants. In some studies, it has found that ionic air purifiers produce a trace amount of ozone in the indoor. Which can rise to a dangerous level. So, it is better to think twice before buying an ionizer purifier.

Ozone Generator:

It is designed to produce an adequate amount of ozone and a strong oxidant gas which can oxidize many chemical and dust particles. It is more used in an unoccupied room and to remove bad odors of blood, musty smell of flood, the stench of rotten flesh where bleaching is not enough except ozone. But still, ozone is terrible for us especially the indoor ozone build-up. Is it even worth it? I guess no. Yet, if anyone still wants to get it, then they should read safety and caution rules. As this air purifier produces ozone.

Let’s compare the work they should do V/S what they are doing?

Expectations:

The work of air purifier is to remove 100% of pollutants. Such as germs, smokes, odors, airborne impurities from the air. To ensure a harmless and healthy indoor environment for your house.

Reality:

Even though many air purifier companies claim that their High -Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are successful at removing 100% of harmful particles from the indoor. But recent research shows that their claim is not so accurate. Because the filter with HEPA technology has the actual efficiency of removing 80% or fewer pollutants, with leakage considered.

So, you guys must be a bit of confused about purchasing an air purifier. But don’t worry I am here to suggest some key points.

Well, let me tell you one thing. The air purifier is not a 100% reliable source to keep your indoor environment healthy. But here are some following points you should consider before turning off to an air purifier:

1. Air purifier helps in improving your health. It also reduces allergies and respiratory symptoms.

2. Air purifiers remove unpleasant smells and smoke from the house. Which makes the indoor air fresh and harmless.

3. Air purifiers capture dust particles in its filter and reduce the germ build-up in the house.

4. Air purifier keeps the respiratory tract healthy. By reducing the pollutants and impurities. When accumulate for a long time can cause serious health issues in the lungs.

5. It ensures you are breathing clean air.

6. It prevents sickness and viral disease from spreading.

7. Air purifier fights against all types of seasonal allergens. It also arrests airborne allergens released from pet’s bodies.

8. Last but not least it can be fit anywhere in your house.

It will be a good buy. As it is quite affordable for your house and again if you consider its several features. Such as several oscillatory fans, energy-saving options, customization options, many speed options, etc.

So, kindly check some essentials before you buy an air purifier:

• It must have AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) certified mark. The standard of AHAM’S is to design an air purifier with some qualities. Such as efficiency, safety and good performance of any electronic device. Including air purifier. AHAM verifies that there will be a common ground of understanding. Between manufacturers and customers during product sale.

• Look for the CADR (clean-air delivery rate). It is a measurement of air purifier speed to remove dust, pollen, mites, and smokes. A CADR above 350 works great, but 300 is also fine.

• See if it is a True HEPA or not. Because the HEPA set the standard to remove 99.97% of dust particles. Along with calculating 0.3 microns diameter of impurities according to lab settings. Which are efficient at removing ultra-fine particulates.

As I have told you earlier that completely relying on a machine for good health is not such a good idea. You need to be sensitive about you and your family health too.

For this reason, besides air purifiers, you have to know other ways of improving airflow in your house. Like: regular cleaning and dusting of furniture, vacuum your house often, avoid the stuff which produces smokes on burning, using an exhaust fan in kitchen, washroom, and laundry areas and keep the window open. So that the outdoor fresh air can come inside your house. As sometimes they are more purified than the indoor air. Which will help to remove polluted air away from the house?

And not to forget the air purifiers does magic too. Okay, that is a bit of bragging. But we can see that how do air purifiers work truly in making your sweet home a healthy and better place to live.