Looking for a high efficiency central air conditioner for your home? Choose VRV!

by Amili R. SEO

Did you know that the house you’re living in is 10x more polluted than the outside air? It seems buying an air purifier is now a necessity, and soon every household will probably need to have to get at least one, just like most of us have water purifiers in our kitchens. There are a lot of different factors to consider when buying an air purifier, from the cost, to the design, but the most important is how effective the purifier will be for you. To be a better judge of that, here are a few things that you must take note of before buying the best HEPA air purifiers.

What does HEPA mean and where did it come from?

HEPA, which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, is a designation used to describe filters that are able to trap 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns.

Technologies that complement HEPA style filtration
The best technology to pair with HEPA style filtration in air purifiers really depends on your lifestyle choices and concern. There are many different technologies that are used in air purifiers with HEPA style filtration, such as activated carbon, pre-filters, ultraviolet light, and ionizers.

Pre-Filters

Pros:

• Captures large particles
• May be washable
• Extends life of HEPA filter

Cons:

• Requires maintenance

Activated Carbon

Pros:

• Absorbs odors, gases, and chemicals
• Leaves space smelling fresh
• Removes tobacco smoke and pet odors

Cons:

• Heavy
• Expensive

Ultraviolet Light

Pros:

• Neutralizes microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses

What are HEPA filters made from and how do they work?

Most modern HEPA filters consist of interlaced glass fibres that are twisted and turned in myriad directions to create a fibrous maze. As particles traverse this web, they’re taken out of circulation in the following ways:

• Direct Impaction: Large particles, such as certain types of dust, mold, and pollen, travel in a straight path, collide with a fibre, and stick to it.

• Sieving: The air stream carries a particle between two fibres.

• Interception: Due to inertia, particles continue on their path and stick to the sides of fibres.

• Diffusion: Small, ultrafine particles move more erratically than larger ones, so they’re more likely to hit and stick to fibres.

So, should I buy an air purifier?

Before you do, keep in mind that air purifiers are not a cure-all. There is very little medical evidence to support that air purifiers directly help improve your health or alleviate allergies and respiratory symptoms. That’s due in part to the fact that it is very difficult to separate the effects of known air-quality pollutants in your home from other environmental and genetic factors. (For instance, how are the furnishings and ventilation in your home affecting you in addition to any indoor pollutants?)

But if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer, an air purifier with a HEPA filter may be helpful for you as it will be good at removing fine airborne particles.