Buying a HEPA Filter Air Purifier?
Discover the Top Ten Cut-to-the-Chase Rules for Buying HEPA Filter Air Purifiers
HEPA filter air purifiers can be expensive. Of course, expense does not
always equal value. Obviously, no air purifier has any value unless it
does what you want – clean your air.But there are other
considerations that are important to your satisfaction. Allow me to
share these top ten rules for buying a HEPA filter air purifier. - Most HEPA indoor air purifiers are to be used in a single room.
Will this satisfy your needs? Air movement from room to room is
restricted by walls and furnishings. Even with a large capacity air
purifier you are unlikely to affect the air across multiple rooms or
throughout the house. It is better to buy multiple air purifiers or a
portable air purifier sized to the largest room it will be used in.
Easy portability allows you to move it where you need it most.
- Your HEPA filter air purifier must be large enough.
To
save expense, some buy an air purifier that is not adequate for the
room they wish to clean. A smaller air purifier will not simply "take a
little longer" to purify the air. You must consider the concept of
"reintroduction rate". New pollutants are continually introduced into
the air. Your air purifier must provide sufficient air changes per hour
to overcome this continuous reintroduction of pollutants.
- Noise is determined by size and fan speed.
Do
not buy an air purifier based on its maximum cleaning capacity.
Selecting an air cleaner that can provide sufficient air changes per
hour at its lowest fan speed means you will be using it at its quietest
setting.
- Make certain it will remove what concerns you most.
HEPA
filter air purifiers are the most effective means for removing
particulate allergens and irritants. However, if odors and chemicals
greatly concern you then HEPA filters alone will not help. Significant
odor removal requires significant amounts of activated carbon, many
pounds of it.
- Is it a true HEPA filter or a HEPA type?
To
qualify as true HEPA, a filter must be rated to remove 99.97 percent of
all particles at 0.3 microns. HEPA type filters often use similar
technology as true HEPA. However, their efficiency may be only 55
percent or less of particles that are 0.3 microns. These filters are
often much cheaper than true HEPA filters but are unlikely to provide
you with much relief from allergens and irritants.
- Regularity and expense of HEPA filter replacements.
The
cost of replacement HEPA filters may seem high. However, consider that
replacement may be once every two, five, even eight years. Since HEPA
filtration efficiency does not diminish with loading, the only reason
to change one is when air flow becomes too reduced to deliver the clean
air you need. For greatest economy, buy a HEPA air purifier with a long
duration filter.
- Total system efficiency should be close to the HEPA potential.
In
some HEPA air cleaners as much as 40% to 50% of the air may bypass the
filter. Reasons for this range from poor sealing of the housing, cracks
in the filter and even intentional design to reduce backpressure on an
inferior motor. Most air purifiers provide no documentation on
efficiency of the unit as a whole. The most notable exception is IQAir.
Their HealthPro series are each tested, certified and sent to you with
documentation of total efficiency. Other high quality air purifier
manufacturers are Allerair, BlueAir and Austin Air.
- Buy a HEPA purifier with durable, nontoxic construction.
The
best air purifiers have a solidly built housing with high quality
gaskets and seals. Look for an air purifier that will not outgas VOCS.
Metal housings will not expose you to off-gassing like many plastic
cheap air purifiers. Soft plastics are often a problem, both in out
gassing VOCS and failing to maintain an airtight seal around the
filter. Hard ABS plastic as used in IQAir does maintain a firm seal
with the filter and is not prone to giving off VOCS. High quality,
sealed bearings and motor windings will eliminate burning smells from
the air purifier.
- Additional Features To Look For In A HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Many
air purifiers have special features that can enhance your experience.
These features add convenience and give you options that ease the care
and maintenance of your air purifier. Some of the features to consider
when buying your air cleaner:
- Casters for ease of mobility
- Remote control
- Digital controls
- Multiple fan speeds
- Handles
- Ease of filter change
- Filter-change indicator light
- The air purifier supplier is essential to your satisfaction.
Why
buy an air purifier from an over-the-top hype monger? Ominous
statistics, astonishing quotes from presumed "experts" and "falling
over themselves to gush praise" testimonials from "JD in South Dakota"
are a sure sign you should move on. Reputable online air purifier
sources (my own favorite is Achoo! Allergy) provide abundant
educational information that is both expert and comprehensible. Their
air purifier comparisons are fair and objective, not one sided. They
willingly share potential negatives so you have no unpleasant
surprises. They screen their product line and never offer you inferior
products that do harm or don't perform to expectations. Look for easy
return policies that allow you a full sixty days to see the benefits of
your purchase. Reject suppliers that will charge you exorbitant
restocking fees.
My experience has been that achoo! Allergy supplies very helpful information about air purifiers, thorough reviews
of each manufacturer and air purifier offered, and excellent before and
after purchase customer service. See for yourself, Click the banner below:
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