Choosing the right air purifier for your needs can be a daunting task. With so many different models on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? What are the key factors to consider when making your purchase?
Size of the air purifier
The first thing to consider is the size of the space you are looking to use your air purifier. You can find portable air purifiers to clean the air in a small area. You can also find room air purifiers, designed to clean the space of an entire room. Some are even as big enough to tackle the whole house. As expected, bigger models will cost you more. However, if they work adequately, they will have a more significant effect on the air quality in your living space.
Think about how much time you spend in specific areas inside your home. There might be rooms you invest minimal energy in, that adding an air purifier space will not much of an effect. For some, having an air purifier near the bed will be the most valuable spot. However, consider other places where you spend the majority of your time.
Cost of the air purifier
You can discover many air purifiers that cost under $100, just like bigger models, all the more dominant models that cost well over $1,000. The smaller the size, the increasingly moderate air purifiers may get the job done. There are those whose needs are insignificant and who want to filter a generally smaller area. However, hypersensitivities may be particularly terrible. Or they are planning to purge a vast zone. They might be in an ideal situation, binge spending on an all the more expensive model.
As mentioned, a higher cost will often translate to having a more significant amount of space purified. A higher value also translates to benefits like more effective models. They mix more technology types with doing more. And they offer special features like programming options or air quality sensors.
You should also keep operating costs in mind. Some air purifiers will require you to buy replacement filters every so often, and some models will come with higher energy costs than others. As with most purchases, you have to weigh your budget against the degree of your need. You must also weigh the benefits you hope to get from your air purifier.
Effectiveness of the air purifier
You want to make sure the air purifier you chose is big enough to clean the space. Many brands will list the size of the room in square feet that the purifier can effectively clean. Also, pay attention to the effectiveness of the different fan speeds. For instance, you will be cleaning a smaller space with lower fan speed.
Measure fan speed measured CFM or cubic feet per minute. You can calculate how long it will take to clean the room by taking the dimensions of the room, base x width x height, and then dividing it by the CFM. So a space of 1300 sq ft with a height of roughly 8 feet will take about 30 minutes to clean at 350 CFM.
Maintenance of the air purifier
Each of the different types of air purifiers requires maintenance. Periodically replace the filters in HEPA purifiers. And the pre-filters cleaned or replaced. Clean the Ionic purifiers have metal plates often. Replace UV light air purifiers have lamps when out.
Maintenance required by air purifiers is relatively minimal and can be performed by yourself. However, it is still something you need to consider when shopping around. Consider tasks like changing out a filter. Consider the annoyance at hand. You may want to choose a model that uses a filter with a long-life, or one of the types of air purifiers with lower maintenance needs.
Noise levels on the air purifier
Like most appliances you find in your home, air purifiers create some noise. The overall amount of noise produced will vary from model to model and the CFM they are putting out. It is something that you should consider during the buying process.
Many air purifiers end up in the bedroom; the decibel level of your unit can be a serious concern when you are trying to sleep. Quiet models will be quick to note it in their marketing, and some even have a sleep mode. However, we recommend reading your model manual to see the decibel levels. Also, make sure to read the reviews to help shed some light to see what other customers are saying.
The energy use of the air purifier
Overall, air purifiers do not utilize a lot of energy, but you can find some models that use less than others. Look for Energy Star rated air purifiers if energy use is essential to you. You can also reduce the energy costs of HEPA models by keeping your filters clean.
The features of the air purifier
Some models come with extra features that can add to their ease of use and make them more attractive to users.
Remote controls:
If you do not want to get out of bed to turn your purifier on and off or change the setting, the remote control can be an added feature with value.
Programmable schedule:
A nice feature is to be able to schedule specific times when your air purifier will run. It can be hard to remember to turn off your HEPA filter during the times of day you won’t be around. A schedule can help you save on energy costs so that your purifier will automatically kick in during the hours you’re usually home, and turn off during the times you’re out.
Servicing Indicator Light:
Remembering to replace the filter can be an even more significant challenge since most HEPA purifiers can go a long time before needing a change. A service indicator light gives you a head’s up when the time has come to deal with it.
Air Quality Sensor:
Some models will measure the air quality in a room and raise or decrease the speed they’re working at based on the reading.
Conclusion
When shopping for an air purifier, it is important to keep in mind the different factors that will influence your decision. Noise levels, energy use, and maintenance are some of the most important considerations, but you should also factor in the size of the room you want to clean and any extra features you might find useful. By taking all of these into account, you can find the perfect air purifier for your needs.