Medical issues such as allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions have been on the rise, and more people around the globe are being affected each year by the poor quality of air in their homes.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that the quality of air indoors is about 2 to 5 times worse than the quality of air outside. Many of these pollutants emanate from Basements because these tend to have very little ventilation or sunlight. This can lead to molds, which can be toxic. Finding an air purifier large enough to handle big basements is a good start on your quest to rid your home of these toxins, but to really get to the bottom of the problem – you’ll have to find the root causes.
Bad air quality is often invisible and silent, so can be darn right tricky to locate the source. The symptoms of poor air quality vary from headaches to asthma, so they can be difficult to link back to air quality.
It’s possible to limit one’s risk to air pollution by using a home air purifier to sanitize the air. People that know very little about air purifiers need to learn about the advantages and qualities of an air purifier before making a purchase.
What does an Air Purifier do?
An air purifier is simply a device designed to absorb and remove harmful toxins from the air. Different types of air purifiers can remove different types of contaminants (smoke, dust, bacteria, mold, pet dander, viruses, fungi, and pollen) from the air, so the type you buy depends on what type of contaminant you want removed.
Important features to Look for
There are certain features that you need to look out for in an air purifier. Some of the key features include:
Filter Type
An air purifier is built to work best with certain types of filters, and the different filters are designed to get rid of different types of contaminants.
While some air purifiers feature just a single filter, others may be able to multiple filters to remove contaminants. The type of particle you want removed and the type of particles the filter can remove will inform your decision on what type of air purifier you should settle for.
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter
Often rated to capture about 99.97% of harmful contaminants, this type of filter helps to get rid of dust particles and most allergens that could cause respiratory problems.
- Ionic Filter
Also called ionizer, it sends negatively charged ions into the air to attach to positively charged particles. Dust, allergens, and other positively charged particles can be removed from the air by this type of filter.
- UV Light Filter
This type of filter kills harmful viruses, bacteria and different pathogens that could make one sick.
- Activated Carbon Filter
This type of filter is meant to remove bad smells. It efficiently helps to get rid of odors caused by gasses, chemicals, and smoke.
Other Features You Should Consider
The features below are some of the most important things you need to keep in mind when considering an air purifier for your home.
- Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) Rating
- Air Changes Per Hour (ACH) Rating
- Energy Star Certification
- Maximum Space Coverage
Ask your air purifier supplier to recommend a model that removes the contaminants most often found in your home with a capacity to suit your floor size.