Air Purifier or Air Cleaner, Which One is Right For Me?

How Do I Choose?
You’ve heard that indoor air pollution can be a significant health concern. In fact, the EPA has said that air quality inside American homes and offices can be two to five times worse than outside. If you spend a lot of time indoors, you need to consider taking control over the air entering your lungs, but choosing the right product can be confusing and intimidating.

Depending on the unique conditions in your home or office, you may require one or more of the following common technologies. Keep in mind that many of these technologies are complementary—the strengths of one may make up for the weaknesses of another.

Air Cleaners

Filtration
The most common and most effective filter is the HEPA filter, or high-efficiency particulate filter. Developed by the Atomic Energy Commission, HEPA filters remove 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns.

In order to be cleaned by filtration, air must travel through the cleaning unit, so rooms that are overly large will not be effectively treated by this method. Some air cleaners include a pre-filter to capture larger particles and prolong the life of the HEPA filter, while some include an antibacterial filter to trap and kill microorganisms.

HEPA filters are effective at removing dust, pollen, mold, mites, bacteria and allergens, however this technology will not remove chemical fumes, gases, cigarette smoke, odors or viruses. An activated carbon filter can be used alongside a HEPA filter to absorb fumes, gases, smoke and odors, but a carbon filter alone cannot remove particulates.

Air Purifiers

Ionizer (Negative Ions)
Negative ions chemically bond with airborne contaminants, creating a molecule too large to remain in the air. Ions are capable of removing particles as small as 0.01 microns and can do so outside of the unit, in an area up to 500 square feet.

This method is capable of neutralizing viruses, bacteria, cigarette smoke and chemical fumes, yet it does not remove odors, germs, fungi and some viruses and chemicals. With an ionizer alone, there is no method to collect neutralized particles.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
The wavelengths of UV light are destructive to microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and mold spores that pass by the unit’s internal lamp. This method effectively protects against the spread of disease, but it does not affect particulates, chemical fumes, gases, cigarette smoke or odors.

Ozone
Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Because it is highly reactive, ozone is extremely effective at destroying most bacteria, chemicals and odor-causing agents at the molecular level.

A small percentage of people are sensitive to ozone and may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and or throat, so an ON/OFF setting is often desirable. Ozone has no effect on particulates.

Other Factors to Consider

Whole House or Room Units?
Whole-house units are installed directly into the ducts of a forced air heating and cooling system, while room units clean the air in one room only.

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