How to Choose an Air Purifier

Air pollution and environmental irritants are two common dangers that people face on a daily basis. Unfortunately, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, diminished air quality may severely hinder your health and overall quality of life. To help you manage your symptoms, as well as help prevent them in the first place, you may want to consider getting an air purifier for your home or office. With the right air purifier, you can greatly reduce your exposure to airborne pollen, dust, and other allergens commonly found in the environment.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for the right air purifier for your home or office. With so many different brands and models to choose from, picking the right one can be a pretty daunting task. Like anything you spend your money on, it’s simply not wise to blindly choose a device without doing the proper research or planning ahead on how you’ll use it.

This is precisely why we’ve put together a brief guide on how to choose an air purifier, and what you should consider before spending your hard earned cash.

Consider the Room Size

How large is the area or room that you’re planning on putting the air purifier in? This is the first thing that you’ll want to consider when selecting the best air purifier for your home. If you choose to purchase one that is designed for a smaller room, it may take longer for it to do its job efficiently, or it may not be able to do it all. On the other hand, selecting a unit that can clean the air in larger rooms will allow you to purify smaller areas much faster.

The easiest way to pick the right air purifier for your room size, is to know the square footage of the room you’re planning on using it in. If you know the square footage, then you will be able to drastically narrow down your choices. But, don’t worry if you don’t know the square footage, it’s actually quite easy to figure out. All you need to do is measure the width and length of the room. Multiply that number together, and the sum is the square footage.

Ideally, you’ll want to choose an air purifier that is certified to clean a space larger than yours. This allows your purifier to clean more efficiently and effectively.

Consider Why You Want An Air Purifier

The next step would be to determine which air filtration system is best for your particular issues. To determine this, ask yourself “Why do I want an air purifier?” There are many different types of air purification systems out there. Choosing the one that’s right for your home greatly depends upon the type of allergy you have, as well as the allergens to which you are most sensitive.

For example, if you are trying to remove dust, mold spores, pollen, or pet dander from the air, then you will probably want to use a true HEPA air purifier. While these units may cost a little bit more, they will provide you with far better air filtration. On the other hand, if you are looking for a purifier that reduces germs and gets rid of mold spores, UV filters may be sufficient for your particular needs. To eliminate airborne odors, a carbon filter is typically a good option, and ionic filtration systems are great for pet dander, smoke and dust removal.

Keep Additional Costs in Mind

Many of the air purification systems on the market today require replacement parts, filters and other accessories. Therefore, while a unit may seem appealing now because it is lower in price, it may prove to be more expensive in the long run thanks to expensive replacement components. Some units have separate pre-filters, as well, to increase the efficiency of the HEPA filtration system, which must also be replaced.

To help you protect your investment, you also want to make sure that any device you buy has a warranty that comes with it. You can even take this a step further and buy an extended warranty.

Think of the Maintenance Requirements

You will also want to account for the maintenance that you’ll need to carry out in order to ensure that the air purifier is working as it should. While some units may be extremely effective, they may require monthly maintenance, such as filter changes or cleansing of various parts. This may not be something you want to deal with. Before you buy, make sure you have a full understanding of how much maintenance goes into keeping the device in optimal fashion.

Consider the Features

There are a variety of other features that you’ll want to take into consideration when choosing an air purifier. While one may offer quieter operation (which is ideal for use in a bedroom or nursery), others may be more energy efficient. Be sure to research the various features for all of the air purifiers you are considering, in order to get the one that will ultimately offer you the most benefits.

Here’s a list of a few features that we’ve found are popular to have in an air purification system.

• Quiet operation
• Energy efficiency
• Programmable timer
• Remote control access
• Space-saving design
• Quick and easy filter replacement
• Portability
• Multiple fan speeds
• Child safety auto shut off

Every air purifier is different, and they all come with their own set of features. Before you shell out a bunch of money for features you don’t need, it would be wise to compare different purifiers, read reviews and possibly call the manufacturer to ask all of your questions.

Choosing the Right Air Purifier Is Easy

Finding the right air purifier doesn’t have to be challenge. Just keep our simple and straightforward guide on-hand, and don’t forget to check with your doctor to see if they have any recommendations for purifiers that may be ideal for asthma/allergy patients. Also, if you know any fellow asthma or allergy sufferers, be sure to ask them about any suggestions they may have for purifiers that have worked for them in the past.

Recommended Reading:

• List of Different Types of Air Purifiers
• The Best Air Purifiers for Pet Dander
• The Best Air Purifiers for Asthma & Allergies
• How Air Purifiers Help You Find Relief from Fall Allergies