Pure Air Purifier: Six Considerations for Rating an Air-Purifying Unit

A pure air purifier is believed by many to help with allergies in the home environment. However, indoor air purifiers for the home are not created equal. There have been many manufacturers which have entered this lucrative market in the past few years and it has become of paramount importance to understand what these air purifiers will and will not do to clean pollutants from the indoor air.

Air Purifier Ratings

Air purifiers should be rated according the following six prioritized considerations:

  1. Filter type. Does the air purifier utilize HEPA technology? Many air purifiers on the market cleverly use statements as “HEPA Type” in their packaging. However, only “True HEPA” filters are efficient enough to remove some of the air pollutants which are known to cause serious allergies or asthma. Insist on “True HEPA” filtration, especially if there are household members who have any kind of upper respiratory illness.

  2. Filter replacement frequency. Before purchasing an air purifier unit, consider the average replacement frequency suggested by the manufacturer. Find out the average cost of the filters ahead of time. Does the unit require one or more filters to be changed out periodically? Calculate how much it may cost per year to operate the unit regularly.

  3. Manufacturer credibility. As I stated earlier, there have been many manufacturers which have jumped on the air purifier bandwagon. As a result, the quality of some air purifier units is questionable. Since the average household will leave these units running for extended periods of time they should be built with quality components that will last. Purchase from a manufacturer which you believe will still provide replacement filters and parts years from now.

  4. Noise levels. Before considering purchasing an air purifier unit, check if the manufacturer publishes the noise decibel rating of their models. Many low-cost units can exceed the safe noise levels when operated in the high speed mode. This is especially important in small a room without wall-to-wall carpeting which can absorb some of the sound. For example, it is generally believed that safe levels to sound over an eight-hour time during sleep should be at or below 90 dB.

  5. Chemical removal capability. Many people purchase air purifiers for the sole purpose of removing dust particle from the indoor air. However, there are other people consider units which have the additional benefit of removing chemicals or odors. Some manufacturers will promise odor or chemical removal on their packaging without addressing the amount it is proven to remove. Consider purchasing purifiers which have chemical and odor removing granules or block media as an optional replacement filter unit. Granules such as activated carbon or potassium permanganate are very effective at removing specific chemicals from the indoor air. This type of option is usually only found in the higher priced models and cannot be found at the neighborhood super store.

  6. Ozone producing purifiers. There have been many claims in recent years as to the benefit of some air purifiers which produce ozone. Contrary to some manufacturer claims, ozone producing air purifiers will not remove airborne pollutants from the indoor air. In fact, the California Air Resources Board has banned the sale of in-home ozone air purifiers as of 2009. While there are some models in the marketplace which do not exceed the recommended exposure rates for indoor ozone levels, manufacturers of these units do not always address their ozone ratings in their sales literature or packaging. Ozone machines in the indoor environment can be useful as odor eliminators but should be used when the occupants of the home are not present. It should be known that air purifier units which use the words “Ion” or “Ionic” will produce some levels of ozone. However, any level of ozone in the indoor environment can cause health issues in certain people. Ozone can be a strong oxidizer and may be detrimental to nasal and lung tissue if breathed in during extended periods of time. Ozone-producing units of any type or amount should never be used when there is an occupant in the indoor environment which has asthma.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.