Air Purifier Advice

Is Ozone Safe For Your Family?

Ozone levels are a constant concern, but it is often misunderstood. Ozone is a naturally occurring protection. The problems with ozone occur when man-made elements are introduced into the air. The scientific name for these elements is VOCs, volatile organic compounds. VOCs are created when poisons, toxins and bacteria are released into the air. They destroy the ozone that protects our planet. Worse yet, they are everywhere in your own home!

Pollution caused by VOCs (also responsible for the smog that obliterates clean air in many congested areas) cause ozone alerts. The confusion starts because ozone alerts are released to warn citizens of bad air quality. These dangerous ozone levels are issued because the ozone levels are DOWN, not because they are high. So why do ozone producing air purifiers get a bad rap?

EPA Warnings About In-Home Ozone Levels

The EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, regulates air purifiers that emit ozone by-products because they can fill the air with ozone. The explanation is that ozone is good for the planet, but up close exposure to it is dangerous and can cause health problems. They use the saying “good up high bad nearby” to remind consumers that they shouldn’t under-estimate the hazards of in-home ozone levels.

The effects of ozone include:

• Lowered lung functions
• Increased asthma symptoms
• Coughing
• Lung inflammation
• Respiratory infections

What’s Worse Ozone or VOCs?

VOCs are definitely worse than ozone in small amounts. The compounds that make up VOCs are gases released from chemicals around the home like paint and even ink cartridges and permanent markers. Bacteria and mold that are very dangerous are also VOCs commonly found in homes. These compounds are responsible for many illnesses and diseases.

An ozone air purifier can reduce these VOCs by 99.97% leaving you with clean, pure air. Ionic air purifiers also create ozone as a by-product. They produce negative ions in order to neutralize positive ions in the air that can carry these dangerous elements throughout your home. The result is effective, but also causes some problems because a by-product of that ionization process is ozone.

In the early days, the ozone air purifiers released much higher levels of ozone. With current EPA regulation, these air purifiers no longer cause serious problems for the average person.

Who Shouldn’t Use An Ozone Air Purifier

Is ozone safe for everyone? As a rule, low levels are perfectly safe for most people. However, anyone with severe asthma problems, any lung disease or other breathing problems should avoid ionizing air purifiers that may emit even low levels of ozone as this can complicate existing health problems. Air purifiers that use HEPA filters combined with activated charcoal filters are a better choice for anyone with breathing problems and do not have any of the effects of ozone that ionizers do.

If you have small pets in the home, especially birds, it is not a good idea to use ozone generating air purifiers. These small animals have much less lung capacity than people and can’t handle even lower levels of ozone in the air.

The Best Use for Ozone Generators

The effects of ozone are completely eliminated when you give air purifiers that use ozone generation time to operate when you are not at home. Setting your purifier to start when you are at work or school, and shut off one to two hours before returning will ensure that the ozone kills the bacteria and mold spores that are in the air, and have the time to become oxygen again so the air is completely safe.

This process will work even if you have health issues that could be impacted by low ozone levels. You can also use an ozone air purifier if you are in a different room. However, if you have breathing problems that could be aggravated by ozone levels, it is better to avoid using an ozone generator when you are in the home.

An estimated ten percent of the US population is allergic to animals. Ten percent of all US households have a pet dog/cat. The AAFA has observed that 15% to 30% of people suffer from dog/cat allergies, the latter allergies being twice the former. The fluids and dander from old skin tissues of pets (and not pet hair) cause pet allergies. These manifest as runny nose/eyes, sneezing, rashes, and other discomforts. Pet dander can also collect dust and pollen. Additionally, rodent or rabbit hair and faeces breed mold, fungi, and bacteria. Pets can also emit unpleasant odors in homes.

If you are specifically looking for a reliable pet odor air-purifier, you would be concerned about how to control odor, quietness of operation at low speeds, and air-filtration efficiency. The following are some popular Pet Odor air-purifiers:

Ionic Pro 90IP1RWI01 CABR1 mini pet odor air-purifier that delivers clean, fresh, healthy air to small spaces at home such as pet zones, closets, pantries and bathrooms. This plug-in unit rids the air of smoke and unpleasant odors, consumes low power, energy efficient and fitted with a soft nightlight.

WINIX 5300 PlasmaWave air-purifier is a pet odor air-purifier that has the following operating parameters are: room size: 350 sq. ft, CADR Rating: 184 / 184 / 197 (Smoke/Dust/Pollen), 4-speeds, 1/2/4-hour timer; power consumption: 6W and power supply: 120V / 60Hz.

RabbitAir BioFresh SPA-421A is another pet odor air-purifier, but fitted with a HEPA filter. It is 22.5 inch x 18 inch x 9 inch, and weighs 17 lb.

Air-O-Swiss 2071 Air Purifier is a pet odor air-purifier, but fitted with a HEPA filter; room coverage: 540 sq.ft; quiet operation with filter-replacement indicator; size: 23.6 inch x 13 inch x 21.6 inch, and weighs 20.5 lb.

Austin Pet Air machine is a highly rated odor air-purifier which combines HEPA filtration and a complex of zeolite, activated carbon and ammonasorb.

Portable air-purifiers are very handy and economical for individuals – especially old people, or those suffering from asthma/allergies/respiratory problems. A portable HEPA is light-weight; you can carry it with you from one room to another, or when you stay in hotels, guaranteeing pollutant-free breathing wherever you are. Effectiveness of portable air-cleaners can be evaluated by knowing their CADR. The following are some of the most recommended portable air-purifiers:

Honeywell Air Cleaners & Purifiers Their F112A,C; F113A,C brands are portable air cleaners designed to remove airborne contaminants and odors in restaurants, schools, bars, offices, day-care centers, smoking lounges, and any indoor spaces where people convene, play, or work.

Airpura Air Cleaners & Purifiers incorporate true HEPA, Gas & Odor, UVGI and (only for 2 brands) PCO technologies in their portable air-cleaner brands. These air-cleaners are marketed in eight brands to suit your tastes, and any environment that needs air-cleaning. All models are 22 inches high and 15 inches in diameter.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is one the top-selling and popular of the IQAir purifiers range.

The HealthPro offers the most sophisticated air filter systems for your home, and is what you need if you or your family suffers from bad allergy symptoms like hay fever. The company IQAir gained many awards due to it’s advanced air purifier system that is capable of getting rid of almost all the contaminants with the air of your room and the list includes microscopic particles such as pollen, bacteria, viruses,mold and dust mites (normally the main causes of severe allergies in people). Others who have bought the IQAir HealthPro Plus all noticed that most of their allergy-related symptoms disappear almost instantly.

This IQAir filter makes use of the most advanced in HEPA air purifier technology and nothing in the market matches its ability to provide micro-organism-free and clean air. IQAir’s technology works so well that during the SARS virus breakout in China and Hong Kong, hospitals utilized the IQAir purifier technology successfully to sanitize the rooms.

How Does The IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Cleaner Work?

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is a portable and compact room air cleaner, meaning no installation is required and you can have it easily moved to any of the rooms within your home. The unit itself is extremely well built and really tough, but the downside to it is that it’s relatively heavy to lift up. It’s no problem though as when you buy the air cleaner, it comes with optional wheels that you can attach on and roll to the location of your choosing.

If you have a room that’s around 20 square foot room, the IQAir HealthPro Plus will work just fine. It’s also capable of purifying the air of even slightly larger rooms than this if you set it on the maximum setting (it has six setting controls). Note: on the medium setting of 3, the unit does tend to sound like a small engine but it’s bearable. When you purchase the IQAir unit, you will also get a small hand held controller with which you can change the settings of the air purifier unit on the fly, so if the noise levels get to you during the night when you’re trying to go to bed, you can easily turn it down to a lower setting.

The reason the IQAir filters in the unit work so well extremely well is due to the pressure sealing of the air filters from all 3 sides – this ensures that no allergens get around the filters causing contaminated air. When put to the test, the HealthPro Plus stands as one of the most efficient and effective air purifiers in the market.

The cons of going for the IQAir HealthPro Plus is that it is fairly expensive unless you find a great bargain on the internet. Having the HealthPro filters replaced every so often can be a real investment as well – you will need to replace the pre-filter as well as the 4 charcoal filters. Again, buying direct through online retailers will save you big bucks in the long run. These carbon filters are great though and you won’t realize just how efficient they really are at removing odors until you have to replace them.

In conclusion, judging from all the past reviews, you can’t go wrong with this unit, it’s a winner. It might cost you quite a bit initially when investing in the IQAir

HealthPro Plus unit, but in the long run you’re saving money on allergy-relief medication by having clean air in your home, and also living a better quality of life.

Reviews of ionic air purifiers and other air purifiers on the internet have fallen short of the expectations of users and the demands of manufacturers. 

Ionic Air Purifier Reviews – Why Are Expectations of Users Not Met?

Users are not getting the factual data that they need to make well-informed decisions about ionic air purifiers. 

Reviewers become too focused on promoting a certain brand of ionic air purifier due to their motivation for financial gain, say when they are affiliates earning a cut for every unit sold from their link. 

Other ionic air purifier reviewers may “fall in love” with a product out of brand loyalty, nationalistic sentiment or simply, irrationality. 

Brand loyalty is difficult to explain. It is akin to motorists always filling up with Shell petrol even though other brands are identical in composition, as a friendly insider of that industry lets out. 

Nationalistic sentiments may arise from bad consumer incidents causing notoriety for the affected country such as the 2008 milk scandal in China leading consumers to be wary of all things Chinese. But such sentiments ignore the fact that many reputable international brands of ionic air purifiers are made in China but subject to the same stringent quality checks that apply regardless of the country of manufacture. Such ionic air purifier reviewers also ignore the fact that there are many defective products, including ionic air purifiers, made in their own home country. 

Ionic Air Purifier Reviews – Why Are Expectations of Manufacturers Not Met?

Manufacturers are wary of ionic air purifier reviewers making wild claims that their products are not designed to deliver. This can cause serious problems for them from health authorities, consumer advocate groups, advertising regulatory authorities, among others. 

In the US, the FDA stipulation that the ozone concentration produced by an air purifier must not exceed 50 parts per billion applies only if the product is sold as a medical device. At the moment, it is believed that there is no ionic air purifier that is manufactured in North America as a medical device. The only known ionic air purifier brand that is marketed as a medical device is Elanra, a product of Australia. These are important facts to bear in mind whenever you read ionic air purifier reviews that make the claim that the product is of medical grade.

Other inaccuracies frowned upon by manufacturers include claims that the ionic air purifier is 100% ozone-free, or is capable of eliminating all classes of airborne contaminants, etc. These are important facts that matter to the user as ozone above certain concentrations can be harmful to human health and certain gaseous contaminants (known as volatile organic compounds or VOC) are outside the design scope of certain ionic air purifiers. 

The 4 Key Factors Ionic Air Purifier Review – A Better Alternative

To address the above concerns of manufacturers and to meet the needs of genuine searchers for an ionic air purifier, we have formulated The 4 Key Factors Ionic Air Purifier Review. Other reasons for using this approach are elaborated in our Ezine Article that is pending approval. 

In bullet summary, our rigorous reviews will focus on the 4 Key Factors that have been covered at length in this author’s articles at EzineArticles.com:

(1) Safety – the beneficial reactive agents of the ionic air purifier technology must not cause harm to human tissue;

(2) Safety – the unintended by-products of the ionic purifier technology must not cause harm to human tissue;

(3) Efficacy – the ionic air purifier technology is based on sound scientific theory that has been conclusively proven in a laboratory to really work;

(4) Efficiency – the ionic air purifier technology has been successfully transplanted from the laboratory into an appliance that will deliver the same results in users’ settings at home, in school, in the workplace etc.

The 4 Key Factors approach will invite manufacturers of ionic air purifiers to provide technical specifications, invite manufacturers to present their case and will analyze and summarize their answers. A survey of more than 50 questions each has been sent to a few prominent manufacturers. We hope they will respond to the win-win situation in our efforts and contribute to the only one-stop ionic air purifier reviews database on the internet, by a user, for all users. 

Help us to convince manufacturers to work with us, for your benefit, as you hunt for the most suitable ionic air purifier to meet your needs. 

As everyone knows, the existence of airborne contaminants present multiple threats to our health and fitness.

As a result selecting a good high quality air cleaner for the office or home is an extremely crucial decision. The market is overloaded with hosts of air cleaning solutions, each claiming to be the finest. These products use a lot of acronyms as well as long syllable terminology that that may leave any typical user confused.

As a public service, I have listed the most important of all the top buying tips for acquiring the proper home air cleaner. You need to understand these industry standard acronyms!

Here is an an explanation for the most frequent acronyms to help you in acquiring the proper product for your use.

HEPA

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters had been originated during the second world war. They had been created to stop the radioactive particles from entering the human respiratory system. These days, they’re the best air cleaners in the marketplace with their filtration rate a bit below 100%. They are able to remove all particles up to .3 microns.

MERV

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) denotes the efficiency of the filtration system. It is the capability of the filter to remove the particles. The value lies in the range of 12 to 16. A low value tells you that the filter is ineffective at removing the contaminants. Values of 12 to 16 denote that the filter is extremely efficient in removing more particles. This is the standard employed by all the air purifier producers. This makes comparison among various items extremely simple.

CADR

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is the amount of filtered air that is free from three key pollutants: dust, pollen and tobacco smoke. A higher number suggests a greater rate of filtration and thus an effective filter. If at all possible, buy an air purifier whose CADR is around two thirds of the space of the room in whose air you want to filter. These numbers are designated on the box, but they reveal the performance when you use the components supplied by OEM and not by the generic manufacturers.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is the producer who not only sells you the merchandise but also supplies the spare parts when the components within the product deteriorate. You may get generic components in the marketplace, which could be cheaper. But the quality cannot be guaranteed. When you acquire the item from the OEM, you are assured a good quality level, not only on the unit but also on the spares that you purchase. Besides, OEM additionally takes the responsibility for maintaining the air purifiers. This means get a good quality service for the air purifiers.

Right after deciding on the ideal air purification system for your environment, you need to find a decent source from which to purchase the system. My viewpoint is that Amazon offers the ultimate in convenience, as well as good prices. They offer a fantastic selection, a good return policy, and numerous customer testimonials to help you in your purchasing choice.

Now you are able to truly breathe easy!

The EPA awards ENERGY STAR label to any efficient consumer product which also tests as energy-saving. An Energy Star label indicates an eco-friendly machine. EPA has tested various purifiers and laid the norm that if a conventional air-purifier runs continuously for one year, it consumes an average of 835 KwH (kilo-watt-hour). This works out to an air-purifier of 100 watt power. Taking 1KwH to cost roughly 12 cents, a conventional air-purifier would consume $100 worth of electric power. Half this value, or $50 power consumption/year, earns an Energy Star label. However, performance of air-purifiers is generally measured through CADR, which is an AHAM measuring standard. An air-purifier is rated excellent if the CADR is 350 or more. A poor air purifier has a rating of 100.

One popular Energy Efficient Air Purifier is Blueair ECO10, which works efficiently using around 95% less energy than its peers. The winning features of this Energy Star air-purifier are:

A patented HEPASilent filter technology with a superior EC fan motor that captures 0.1 micron-sized particles; two speeds, four efficient pre-filters and a re-usable main filter; low power consumption of merely 10W; exceptional performance, noiseless operation and unmatched lifetime warranty.

 

We all know what air purification systems do; they clean the air and reduce the risk of unpleasant and potentially harmful compounds, such as pollen, molds or dust which may lead to allergies, asthma or respiratory problems. With all the different systems out there, it may be hard to choose between brands. After reviewing the IQAir Air Purification System, though, it’s easy to recommend it.

IQAir has been around for almost a decade; they have the experience and knowledge of what is really required when it comes to effective air purification systems. The Swiss company is known to combine German engineering and Swiss craftsmanship to produce precision products. It has been cleaning hospital air all over the world, including Hong Kong during the SARS epidemic. When they talk about air purification, they know what they’re talking about. But what makes the IQAir Air Purification System different?

For starters, consumers say that there is immediate relief of symptoms of allergies. And that’s important: if, as one happy man claims, the annoying allergy symptoms are gone – and stay gone – after only the second day of use, we know the appliance is making our lives a lot easier. I haven’t found anyone who’s unhappy about the delivery; both timing and protection seem no problem at all. People are happy that they’re sleeping much better and that the filter prices are lower than the competition. The unit is a bit bigger than others, and some consumers find it a big expensive, but no one I know about complaints about it. In fact, when contrasting the negative and the positive, there doesn’t seem to be any of the former.

The IQAir Air Purification System has the look of a sophisticated yet humble appliance, and that’s really what it is. Looks good, works well, and worth the effort.

Each of the different air purifier filter types are effective at removing airborne pollutants. They all share the same overall purpose: to clean the air. However, they function differently and each of them targets particular air pollutants. This means that they work best in removing only selected allergens and pollutants.

Air Purifiers and Air Purifier Filter Guide

This is just like in the case of the famous HEPA filters. This type of filter is perfect for removing indoor allergens like mold, dust, pollen an animal dander. However, it is not as effective in eliminating tiny air particles such as viruses and bacteria. As well as removing disgusting odors, chemical fumes and organic compounds. A HEPA filter will still get the job done, but there are other more highly specialized filters that focus on these pollutants.

Air purifier filter types

High Efficiency Particulate Air filters or HEPA Filters

HEPA filters are the standard for air cleansing. It was originally designed to capture radioactive dust particles created by Atomic Energy Commission. This filter eliminates 99.97 percent of airborne pollutants ranging from 0.3 microns and above.

Only those particles that are smaller than 0.3 microns can pass through the filter. It leaves chemicals and pollutants trapped and produce extremely clean air. The advantage of this filter is that it is HEPA certified. This means that it is a high quality product.

Ion and Ozone Generators

This filter is the second most well known air purifier filter types. It produces ion or charged particles and releases them in the air. These charged particles mix with pollutants in the air and adhere to a nearby surface. It now then separates air and allergens.

However, the downsides are that it creates dirty spots on near floors and walls and produces ozone. Ozone is a strong lung irritant which is hazardous for everyone.

Activated Carbon Filters

This kind of filter is usually used in combination with other air filters to provide greater effectiveness. This activated carbon combined with charcoal filters works best at adsorbing gases and odors. It is also effective in neutralizing fumes, smoke and chemicals. The good thing about this is that it is capable of adsorbing gas and chemical particles that a HEPA filter can’t do.

Antibacterial and Germicidal Filters

The best thing about this filter is that it can remove germs and bacteria. It is also perfect for controlling mold and ideal for someone who has a weak immune system. On the other hand, IQAir Clean Room HEPA air purifier uses HEPA filter combined with agents to eliminate airborne microorganisms.

AllerAir 5000 EXEC UV air cleaner use an ultraviolet lamp to kill germs. It produces UV waves that alter the DNA of pathogens and antigens as they pass in the lamp. Air cleaners with UV filters are ideal for hygienic environments like laboratories, hospitals and kitchens.

Electrostatic Precipitators

This filter works just like ozone and ion generators. However, the difference is that it captures pollutants rather than getting them to adhere on near surfaces. It traps pollutants on collector plates using electronic cells to charge particles in it. The good news about this is that the collector plates washable so it doesn’t need to be replaced. Just like the aforementioned filters above, it also emits ozone.

Pre-Filters

This filter is good at eliminating pet hair and other huge air particles. It goes before to primary filtration and comes along with almost all air cleaners.

These different air purifier filter types are the perfect solution for your particular air cleaning needs. Needless to say, these filters are beneficial to your health, home and family.

How an Air Purifier Works

Understand how air purifier works and you will discover its great health benefits. You will be amazed of the things it can do to your home and to your health as well. There will be no reason for you not to try air cleaners.

This device makes the air clean thus giving you good health condition. It uses an excellent filter in cleaning the air. It allows the air to pass through the purifier producing cleaner air and trapping harmful pollutants inside the device. This now then removes harmful chemicals, and indoor pollutants present in the air. As well as it lessens your exposure to airborne toxins. This is how an air purifier works.

Moreover, this filter provides high air quality and good ventilation that result to good health. It prevents from suffering serious medical conditions such as respiratory problems. It as well lessens the chance of having lung disease, asthma and allergies, which are physically and mentally disturbing.

Improving indoor air quality is as important as your health condition. It should be given serious attention immediately. Remember that you can acquire airborne chemicals and pollutants anytime and anywhere. This can lead to threatening effects to your health. It would be better if you will act immediately than waiting to have respiratory problems.

Sources of respiratory problems

Respiratory problems are brought by viruses, bacteria, cigarette smoke, pet dander, mold spores, pollen and other hazardous airborne chemicals and pollutants. This can damage your immune and respiratory system.

The most threatening is that these pollutants are not visible to the human eye. You cannot see it, but you’re probably inhaling it. However, it can be filtered whether you can see it or not. This is possible through the use of electrical attraction, filters or ozone.

Types of air cleaners

The High Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filter is one of the best devices in cleaning the air. It is certified to remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are bigger than 0.3 microns. Micron is the basic unit used in determining air particles. This kind of filter detects and eliminates smaller allergens such as chemicals, dust, asbestos, smoke, pet dander, and pollen.

The air gets cleaner when the air passes through the filter many times. This means that harmful air particles become lesser at the same time air quality becomes better.

Another way of cleaning the air through is through the use of electrical attraction. Negative ion generators, electrets filters and electrostatic precipitating cleaners are the types of this method.

All of them share with the same purpose, to clean the air. However, each of them differs in the process of removing harmful airborne particles and in making the air clean. The only downside is that these devices produce ozone, which is a strong lung irritant. This is why it is not advised for using by the American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency. They are also less effective compared to HEPA filter.

You will have no reason not having it now that you know how an air purifier works. You will surely enjoy its health benefits. You’re saving your health as well as your family’s life.

HEPA Air Purifier Reviews

It is important to know what to look for when reading HEPA air purifier reviews. The four letters stand for High efficiency particle arresting but most people refer to them as Hepa filters. They are used to help reduce the amount of dust mites, pet dander, pollen and other allergens in our air so improving the quality particularly for those who are asthmatic or suffer from allergies.

Hepa air purifier reviews

Hepa air purifier customer reviews are worth reading to see what ordinary people feel about the units they purchased. The actual filter will have different ratings depending on how efficient it is at doing the above tasks.

The US environmental protection agency has commented a number of times about the poor indoor air quality in our homes. This may be the reason for the overall increase in the number of children suffering from allergies in particular the increase in asthma cases. As anyone who has a child with asthma knows, there is nothing worse than watching your child struggling for breath.

So what can you do about it? You are not going to cure your child’s health condition by purchasing a hepa air purifier but you can certainly help to minimize the symptoms. You will need to decide if you want to buy a whole house system or smaller units that can be moved from room to room. When comparing air purifiers you need to look at cost, noise levels, efficiency and of course whether the system works as it is supposed to.

Hunter air purifier

Almost everyone has heard of Hunter HEPA air purifiers. There are different Hunter models on the market but the Hunter Quietflo is probably the most popular. The 30090 has consistently received good reviews. The main complaint appears to be from people who bought the wrong sized model for the room they wanted to use it in. As with all air purifiers they work best when the filters are changed on a regular basis and the unit is kept clean. If you have a very large room you would be better buying the Hunter 30378.

Other Popular Hepa Air Purifiers

When looking at product reviews air purifiers from Honeywell also proved very popular. There is a range to choose from. The right one will depend on your needs and the size of the rooms in your home.

Blueair manufacturers several air purifiers ranging from models suitable for the home or office right down to personal air purifiers that you can place at your desk.

IQAir is one brand of hepa air purifiers that are consistently mentioned in glowing terms. The IQAir Health Pro Plus is especially recommended for those with allergies although it is best to have someone else turn it on and let it run for a couple of days to get rid of the initial gas odor. But once you are over that initial day or two, people who use this IQAir model consistently report a reduction in their allergies. The unit isn’t noisy and is built to last. In fact most reviewers had bought more than one not as a replacement but for their offices and beach houses as well as their homes.

HEPA air purifier reviews will help you to make an informed decision and guarantee you get the unit that is best for you and your family.

Quality air purifiers are of most importance for your good health, as many of us are spending most of our lives indoors. Choosing the best HEPA air purifier may be confusing, as there are many brands and models available on the market. Comparing all the sizes, features and prices can be overwhelming.

We created this air purifier buying guide in order to help you learn about the different options and make an informed decision.

We will discuss here some things to look for when you are shopping for HEPA air purifier.

Three Main Types of HEPA Air Purifiers

• Portable HEPA-type
• Portable true HEPA air purifier
• Whole-house UV air treatment

One criteria in your purchasing decision must be the common household air pollutants you want to get rid of.  Air purifiers target different household air pollutants, so it is important to know which pollutants you may have in your home and need to eliminate.

The most common household air pollutants are airborne particles such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, plant spores, pollen, mold, fungi, and tobacco smoke; household odors and gases such as kitty litter, cooking odors, tobacco smoke, gaseous pollutants, various toxins, aerosols and indoor pesticides; volatile organic compounds such as varnishes, paints, cleaning supplies, adhesives and glues, disinfectants, new building and new carpet supplies; and micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and antigens.

Air Purifier Filter Types

There are many air purifier filter types that are designed to target various types of indoor air pollution. Among them, HEPA air purifiers are the most popular because they work well in eliminating most of the common household allergens such as animal dander, dust, and pollen.

However, they are not the best at capturing organic compounds, foul odors, chemical fumes and viruses. Many air purifiers use in the same unit two or more filter types in order to eliminate more types of allergens.

For example, the Austin Air Healthmate air purifier features a HEPA filter along with a carbon filter. Combining both a carbon filter and a HEPA filter provides the most effective air cleaning solution on the market today.

Another example of air purifier mixing two technologies is the IQAir Clean Room, which utilizes a HEPA filter that is also treated with special agents in order to kill airborne microorganisms.

Other air purifier models such as NQ Clarifier, Germ Guardian AC5000, or AllerAir 5000 EXEC UV, feature a UV lamp to kill germs.

High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA)

This is the best technology that sets the standard for air purification today. A HEPA air purifier filter can eliminate around 99.97 percent of all particles with dimensions as small as 0.3 microns. HEPA technology for air purifiers was originally developed in order to remove radioactive particles.

Most allergens are captured by HEPA filters because they allow only very small particles to pass through. Dust, mold spores, animal dander, and pollen are all trapped in a HEPA filter air purifier.

However, in order to ensure the best efficiency you will need to periodically change the HEPA filter.

Of course, not all HEPA filters and are created equal and you will need to choose a reputable brand, such as Holmes HEPA air purifier for example.

Other reputable brands of HEPA air purifiers are Blueair, Airgle, Austin Air, Alen, Aller Air, IQAir, NQ Clarifier, Honeywell, Amaircare, Whirlpool, and Germ Guardian.

Additional factors to consider when you shopping for an air purifier are features such as area coverage, air changes per hour, clean air delivery rate, filter replacements, energy usage, noise level, extra features, brand reputation, warranty policy, and price.

We hope this article help you to make the right decision when attempting to purchase a hepa air purifier.

n air-filter with HEPA certification means it can be either Near HEPA or True HEPA. Near HEPA filters are usually those that can trap particles of 0.3 micron diameter with between 90% and 99.97% efficiency. However, a True HEPA must be at least 99.97% effective at removing all 0.3 micron particles from the air. Though most HEPA air-purifiers maintain industry standards, not all brands deliver the high standards of efficiency they claim. Some have been known to remove only 10% of allergens from the air. Some others are known to generate ozone while air-purifying. Therefore, you are advised to do some careful research before buying a HEPA air-purifier.

Some HEPA air purifiers are fitted with an additional UV light to kill airborne viruses and bacteria. This helps mitigate spreading of flu, TB (tuberculosis) and measles.

Some leading brands of HEPA air-purifiers are: Honeywell, Ionic Breeze, Hunter, IQAir, Austin Air, Friedrich, Oreck, Air-O-Swiss, Biozone, Calutech, Delonghi, Care, Allerair, Holmes, Blueair, Healthmate and Hamilton Beach. For controlling humidity (which also can cause allergic reactions), you can consider Danby Dehumidifier. If you wish to eliminate dust and improve indoor air quality, a high quality allergy relief vacuum cleaner from Miele or Dyson is a great investment.

Natural Ionizer Air Purifier, Directly From Himalaya Mountains.

Are you affected by allergies? Do you experience a lot of static discharge in your home? Do you stay in front of your computer screen several hours per day? Are you working in rooms with fluorescent lamps? Numerous things in our surroundings deliver a great amount of positive ions which are known to produce the phenomenon called electromagnetic pollution. The simple and natural solution for these issues is the Himalayan ionizer air purifier.

Many individuals are now discovering the numerous health advantages of the Himalayan salt lamps, so it is no longer unusual to find a lot of individuals which use this kind of lamps in their office or in their homes. Himalayan salt crystal lamps are in fact an excellent addition to your residence as these type of lamps act as the most perfect mood boosters and in the same time are great natural ionizer air purifiers.

What are the Himalayan salt lamp ionizer air purifiers?

Pure Himalayan salt lamps are made from salt crystal rocks which are mined from the salt mines existing inside Himalaya Mountains. A salt lamp ionizer is simply a piece of this ancient crystal salt rock that has been hollowed out to allow room for a light bulb or candle. The light glows through the medium of the salt crystal casting a soft subtle glow. These unique and special properties produced by these salt lamps are promoting better health through ionic air as well as the elimination of pollution. The abundant production of negative ions will create an environment that has the ability to eliminate the allergens or kill harmful microbes and bacteria.

What are the advantages of these natural ionizer air purifiers?

Let’s analyze how salt lamps are associated to general health enhancement. The Himalaya people use the natural salt resources that have been sealed inside the mountains for millions of years. The distinctive qualities of the salt crystals are activated by the heat generated by an electric bulb or from the flame of a candle. The therapeutic properties are obtained via air ionization. However the exclusive features of the Himalayan salt lamp is to generate negative ions which will act on the pollutants present in the surrounding air, neutralizing them and pushing them all toward the floor. As a result they can no more freely circulate. This way individuals will breath more easily, and lots of disease conditions and allergies which more often impact them, will start to go away. This Himalayan salt ionizer air purifier reduce allergy conditions from appearing and facilitate better environment for healing other illnesses and have curing benefits on the human skin and also the human mind. Is promoting awareness, better focus and good sleep. The lamp will reduce the influence of the electromagnetic radiation that impact us every day. Devices like microwave ovens, television sets, WI-FI networks, mobile phones and the entire range of electronic units which most of us own.

How ionizer air purifier salt lamps look like?

With a wide variety of forms and dimensions, the ionic lamps can be a fashionable and healthful decoration presenting a clean, ionized ambiance. Some salt lamps are pyramid shaped, some look like a magic globe and others are sold in the natural crystal form, which fit very well in modern homes and offices. The color tones of these types of lamps vary from crystal white, light apricot, profound orange or purple. Color of Himalayan salt lamps will vary depending on the region and mine from which it came, and also the altitude.

I will not forget to mention that comparable with the electronic ionizer air purifiers the salt lamps require practically no maintenance and are very easy to clean, removing dust particles frequently will be a recommended task .

BUYERS RECOMMEND – Round Basket Lamp with Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt Chunks I hope this Youtube video will help you understand more about the salt natural air purifiers, it seems that those people are happy with their lamps.

The Himalayan salt ionizer air purifiers are good for every place, room, office and for all of us.

The Pros And Cons Of An Electrostatic Air Purifier  

For instance, if you’re hoping to recycle the air throughout a large house, but have purchased a purifier that’s only equipped to handle a single room, then you’re going to be disappointed with its apparent performance. It’s important to consider all of the facts before making the commitment to buy a particular type of air purification system. Otherwise, you might just as well chase the wind – the success rate for each will be about the same.

Although there are many different types of filtration systems for the air, one of the best is the Electrostatic Air Purifier. Offering a lot in the way of health benefits, this unique approach to air cleaning has been a critical tool in the eradication of irritants in the interior of homes across the nation. Let’s take a look at some of the assets and liabilities that this type of air system has to offer.

Positives on an Electrostatic Air Purifier

+ By virtue of its very nature, this type of air filtration system is extremely quiet – and often, silent – making it less conspicuous than other purifying methods.

+ Unlike other types of air cleaners, the Electrostatic Air Purifier uses no filters that need to be replaced. Instead, steel collection rods attract the contaminants, which can then be removed during the cleaning process.

+ Due to their silent nature, these can be left on 24/7, offering continuous air purification. Other types of filtration systems are often turned off periodically, due to the noise factor, allowing allergens to take over the room in very short order.

+ A variety of allergens are trapped within the collection rods – often as small as a single micron. That being the case, irritants such as cat dander, pollen and other common pollutants can easily be filtered from the room to improve the quality of the air that you and your loved ones are breathing.

+ Provides thorough cleansing of the air, offering both an allergen-free environment and a natural air freshener by removing odors from the air that are caused by various contaminants.

Negatives

+ The initial cost of systems such as these can often be quite expensive. For those who are unprepared to handle a hefty price tag, this will be a great deterrent.

+ Since it pulls virtually all of the allergens and other contaminants out of the air within the structure of the home and holds them on steel collection rods, it requires frequent cleaning, so that the rods will be free to continue collecting the pollutants from the air.

+ Depending upon the brand and model that you purchase, some of the units can be a bit noisy, which is seen as an irritant by some people.

+ As a result of the way that this type of air cleaning system works, ozone and ions are released into the air, which can have adverse side effects to those who come into contact with them.

Whether you view the Electrostatic Air Purifier in a positive or negative light, there’s definitely something to be said for the fact that it’s successful in its ability to cleanse the air of those pollutants that trigger allergic reactions and – in some cases – agents which are responsible for spreading common illnesses.

What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier

Many people suffer from sinus problems and allergies triggered by pollen, dust, pet dander and the like.

Allergy medication may help in treating the symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, watery red eyes, etc.) but the best thing to do is eliminate the cause.

The Honeywell 50250 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier is an affordable air cleaning device that will leave the air in your home fresh and pure.

The Honeywell 50250 is equipped with a HEPA filter that removes up to 99.97% of common airborne pollutants. It clears the air of dust particles, pollen, tobacco smoke and pet hair as small as 0.3 microns.

As a HEPA filter, the Honeywell air purifier meets the filter standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Product Description

The Honeywell 50250 is round-shaped, with a diameter of 18 inches. At 19 inches high, it is quite large so you should figure out where you want to place the unit before purchasing it. The air purifier has 360-degree airflow and 3 speed settings.

The Honeywell air purifier comes with a carbon pre-filter to help remove odors and particulates. The glass-fiber HEPA material removes viruses, bacteria, mold spores and airborne particles. An Intelli-Check electronic filter change indicator lets you know when it’s time to change the filter. This product is ideal for larger rooms up to 390 square feet.

How It Works

The Honeywell 50250 round air purifier is a winner for a number of reasons. It comes with a true HEPA filter that removes air pollutants and allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander and cigarette smoke. In addition, it is equipped with an activated carbon pre-filter. The pre-filter boosts the effectiveness of the Honeywell by removing odors and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that cannot be removed by a HEPA filter.

Compared to similar air purifiers, the Honeywell 250 has a better Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for its price range. The CADR is a standard used to compare the effectiveness of air purifiers.

This air purifier is well designed, with its 360 degree air intake and exhaust. The round design makes it effective at circulating air. The unit itself is sturdy and weighs only about 20 pounds.

At the highest speed setting, the noise level of the Honeywell air purifier is quite high. You can run the purifier on high for a few hours and then set the speed at medium or low to keep the noise level down while you sleep or relax at home. The noise is not a mechanical sound but a high air flow sound.

There is a slight vibration at the lowest fan speed. This is normal and is caused by slow air build-up across the HEPA filter due to the low air intake. The vibration does not affect the performance of the unit.

HEPA filters have to be replaced, and this is usually the highest up-keeping cost of air purifiers. An annual cost of about $100 on HEPA filters is the norm. Depending on your usage, filters are usually replaced once every three months. The activated carbon pre-filter also has to be changed regularly if you are particular about odor control.

If you come across the Honeywell 50250N or Honeywell 50251, they are basically the same model. The only difference is that they come with a permanent lifetime HEPA filter, which can save you a lot of money. In reality, however, the permanent HEPA filter is good for only 5 years after which it has to be replaced. A permanent filter must also be vacuumed and cleaned to regenerate it.

 

Honeywell 50250 Air Purifier Pros

The Honeywell 50250 HEPA round air purifier is inexpensive but it works very well indeed. It is powerful, easy to maintain and portable. The 360 degree air intake and air output makes it more efficient. Replacement parts are easily available and it comes with a 5 year limited warranty.

Honeywell 50250 Air Purifier Cons

The biggest drawback to the Honeywell is the noise at high speed setting. It also has high power consumption and the design is strictly utilitarian and not stylish.

What Consumers Say

Consumers are mostly satisfied with the Honeywell 50250. For its price, this air purifier does a very good job. Individuals, who are sensitive to pollen, dust and other allergens notice that their allergies disappear or are very mild when they use the Honeywell.

The main concern with the Honeywell 50250 air purifier is the noise when operating it. Some people find it too loud, although others say they can live with it. The low fan setting provides a white noise that some people find soothing. Naturally, this is a matter of personal preference and you will have to decide for yourself whether or not you can tolerate the noise.

On the whole, however, most consumers give the Honeywell Pure HEPA Round Air a big thumbs up. It is affordable, performs very well and comes with an excellent 5-year warranty.

The best air-purifiers also capture & eliminate VOC. Some people are sensitive to multiple chemicals (MCS). Numerous household sources emit VOC such as: paint strippers, nail-polish removers, cleaning chemicals, adhesives, or home furnishings and upholstery treated with formaldehyde, are capable of emitting VOC. Even PVC-housed home appliances/equipment and photocopiers can emit VOC. Some harmful VOC emit a deceptive pleasant smell. A Chemical VOC air-purifier uses an activated carbon filter for capturing gases and odors, and VOC particles which are too minute for HEPA filters to absorb. If you want extra protection from viruses, a model with UV filtration or titanium dioxide will eliminate (kill) all viruses with a single passing through this air-purifier. Some popular Chemical VOC air-purifiers are Austin Air Healthmate (Superblend), IQAir’s HealthPro Plus and Alen A350 Air purifier.