Best Air Purifier - How To Buy?

We have recently published a guide focusing on various air-purifying technologies. However, while the technological aspect of an air purifier is undeniably crucial, it is not the sole consideration. If you are contemplating the purchase of an air purifier for your residence, business, school, or healthcare facility, there are 10 additional questions worth considering.

1. Air purifier for smell, allergies, dust

The paramount consideration in selecting an air purifier revolves around identifying the specific contaminants you intend to target. Different air purifiers specialize in the removal of distinct types of pollutants.

Addressing Particulates:

- For small particles like woodsmoke, cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, or outdoor air pollutants, a genuine HEPA filter is essential. These filters boast a MERV rating of 17 or higher, effectively capturing the tiniest particles.

- Large particles such as dust, pet dander, pollen, or some dust mite allergens can be tackled with a True HEPA type filter or a fibrous filter with a mid-MERV rating, depending on your fan motor power (refer to Question 9 below).

- Electrostatic precipitators provide an alternative for particulates, though they may be overly intricate for most users. However, they can be beneficial for older HVAC systems that cannot accommodate high-MERV filters.

Dealing with Pathogens

Pathogens encompass bacteria, viruses, and occasionally mold spores.

For combating pathogens, we recommend employing active purification. Passive purifiers, like those relying on HEPA without additional active technology, rely on the air passing through their internal mechanisms. Consequently, virus or bacteria particles might pass through your lungs before being filtered by the purifier.

On the other hand, active air purifiers operate by treating the air within the room itself. Among the various active purification methods available, we particularly endorse (as you might have guessed) ActivePure. Purifiers equipped with ActivePure technology have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing various types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi both in the air and on surfaces.

Addressing Odors

If your space contains new wood products, carpets, or furniture, or if you engage in frequent arts and crafts activities, you might be releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These are odorous, carbon-based gases, some of which can be harmful to human health.

ActivePure's proprietary technology is also adept at neutralizing specific VOCs. Another potent technology for absorbing gases and odors is activated carbon. ActivePure often integrates with activated carbon in its machines to enhance efficiency.

Dealing with Combustion Gases

Combustion gases, such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxides, are best addressed through building improvements rather than air cleaning. Annual heater inspections and ensuring stove vents lead outdoors are crucial measures. While substances like Sofnolime can absorb combustion gases, it is more practical to prevent their accumulation in the first place.

2. Air purifier - portable or induct?

Were you aware that purifiers can be integrated into your existing ventilation system? These are referred to as induct purifiers and present a viable option for numerous homes, schools, businesses, and hospitals. Naturally, it's essential to select the right purifier type compatible with your ventilation system, as high MERV filters can strain older systems (refer to Question 9 below).

For spaces lacking an existing HVAC system, portable purifiers are the preferred solution. These freestanding appliances, akin to speaker systems or microwaves (albeit with a much sleeker appearance), offer flexibility.

The benefits of induct purifiers include their space-saving nature. When appropriately matched with the HVAC system, they can effectively cover the entire building.

On the other hand, portable purifiers provide the advantage of mobility (as the name suggests). Their visibility also serves to reassure guests, patients, students, or customers that proactive measures are being taken to ensure healthy indoor air quality. Depending on the specific layout and requirements of your indoor space, portable purifiers might also be a more cost-effective option.

3. Air purifier - benefits

Another crucial consideration is whether you genuinely require an air purifier.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly recommend air purification for spaces with high traffic and close interactions among individuals from different households, encompassing schools, hospitals, and businesses.

Determining the necessity of an air purifier for your home is not as straightforward. If you reside in an area with poor air quality (refer to local reports), investing in a purifier is advisable. The same holds true if you have indoor contamination sources, such as the previously mentioned tobacco smoke, fireplace, or gas stove.

However, if you are a nonsmoker without a fireplace, residing in a well-ventilated and well-maintained house with no pets in a rural setting, you may not need an air purifier—unless, of course, the area has a high concentration of allergens, you frequently host guests, or you cook fatty meats on a high-heat gas stove.

In essence, if you are a vegetarian hermit residing on an organically constructed houseboat in the middle of the ocean, an air purifier may not be necessary. Despite this idyllic scenario, many residences can benefit from air purification. If you are uncertain about your current needs, we recommend conducting air quality testing.

4. Room air purifier

As one might intuitively infer, air purifiers come in different sizes tailored to suit various room dimensions. Most manufacturers explicitly state the anticipated coverage area (in cubic feet or meters) for their purifiers.

To determine the volume of your room, measure from the floor's base to the ceiling, and record the depth and width of the room. This yields three dimensions. Multiply these figures, and you obtain the room's volume (this calculation applies primarily to square or rectangular rooms; irregularly shaped rooms necessitate additional computations).

Keep in mind that nearly all air purifiers—excluding those designed for industrial use—are designed for rooms with a maximum ceiling height of 8 feet. If your ceiling exceeds this height, you might require a more robust purifier to ensure optimal performance.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has introduced a rating and testing system for portable purifiers known as CADR (note that CADR does not apply to induct purifiers). CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate and assesses an air purifier's efficacy in removing smoke (representing small particles), dust (representing medium particles), and pollen (representing large particles). CADR provides distinct ratings for each of these contaminants, resulting in three numbers for CADR-certified machines.

CADR is computed as follows: "the rate of contaminant reduction in the test chamber when the unit is turned on, minus the rate of natural decay when the unit is not running, multiplied by the volume of the test chamber measured in cubic feet."

To break it down further: an air purifier is placed in a 1008ft³ chamber, set to maximum fan speed (if applicable). The chamber is then filled with a contaminant, and the air is tested after the purifier has had time to remove the contaminant. AHAM subtracts the known decay rate of each contaminant (23-27 hours) from the actual time the purifier takes to clean the chamber. This success rate is multiplied by the 1008ft³ volume and divided by 60 to yield the CADR ratings.

For example, if a chamber filled with smoke would naturally clear in 23.8 hours and a specific air purifier cleans the chamber in 2 hours, the success rate would be 21.8 hours. (21.8 x 1008)/60 = 366.4. Therefore, the CADR rating for smoke for that air purifier would be 366.4.

The maximum CADR rating a machine can receive is 450 for dust/pollen and 400 for smoke. For passive purifiers, it is advisable to select one with a CADR rating at least 2/3rd of its CFM (cubic feet per minute) for optimal efficiency.

5. Air purifier - price in UAE

While this may appear straightforward, it's crucial to consider your budget thoughtfully. There's no immediate need to charge something to your credit card if you've managed without it for this long. However, ensure that you're setting aside funds for an air purifier that genuinely addresses the specific issue you aim to resolve. Opting for the cheapest option may not be prudent if it isn't suitable for your room size or the types of contaminants present. Similarly, don't hastily turn to expensive solutions when a more economical option can suffice.

6. Ozone free air purifier

Several types of purifiers produce ozone as a byproduct. While ozone is beneficial in the upper atmosphere, shielding us from UV rays, it can be irritating and potentially hazardous at ground level.

It's essential to note that certain purifiers intentionally generate ozone to eliminate odors from flood or fire damage. These machines have utility in unoccupied spaces, but their use is recommended only by professionals.

Ozone generation occurs whenever the air is energized, as seen in UV light, plasma purifiers, ionizers, and electrostatic precipitators. In recent years, modifications have been made to improve most of these methods, reducing their ozone generation to acceptable levels. However, some still emit excessive amounts. The California Air Resource Board tests air purifiers to ensure emissions are less than 0.050 ppm and maintains a noncomprehensive list of intentional ozone generators. Over 20 purifiers featuring ActivePure Technology are CARB-certified.

7. White noise air purifier

Numerous air purifiers incorporate fans and motors, serving to either draw air through a filter or disperse purifying particles into the room. Depending on their size and efficiency, these fans can produce noise ranging from loud to nearly silent. According to the UK-based company Quiet Mark, an ideal air purifier seamlessly blends the sounds of the motor and fan into a consistent white noise. Purifiers featuring fans often specify the sound level (in decibels) on their specifications sheet, aiding in determining suitability. It's essential to ensure that the purifier you choose aligns with its intended location – for instance, a purifier designed for a warehouse might not be suitable for a bedroom. Placing a louder purifier in a room with carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture may help minimize its audible impact.

In the case of purchasing a secondhand purifier (not recommended), older models tend to be noisier compared to newer ones.

Additionally, there are fanless purifiers available, particularly suitable for smaller areas.

8. Air purifier - maintenance, service, repair

This question holds significant importance. Virtually every type of purifier necessitates some form of maintenance and upkeep. Purifiers equipped with filters will inevitably require regular filter replacements. The filter's lifespan varies widely, contingent on factors such as the filter's MERV rating and the types of contaminants in the room. The same principle applies to activated carbon or chemisorbent media. Generally, true HEPA filters should be replaced every 3 months to 1 year, while activated carbon filters typically require replacement every 3 months, depending on the carbon content.

On the other hand, needlepoint ionizers should undergo cleaning every 1 to 2 years, while electrostatic precipitators necessitate cleaning four times per year.

For filters featuring UV bulbs (including ActivePure), replacement is typically required every 5,000 to 9,000 hours, translating to approximately every 7 to 12 months if continuously operated.

9. Energy efficient air purifier

Surprisingly, even the least energy-efficient portable purifiers typically result in only a minimal increase in electrical bills, ranging from a few cents to a few dollars per month.

However, if you integrate a filter into an HVAC system, energy costs may rise, especially with higher MERV filters when fans are driven by an EMC (electronically commuted motor). If your fans are powered by a PSC (permanent split capacitor), there won't be a significant uptick in energy costs. Nevertheless, pressure drops may still occur for high MERV filters when laden with dust.

It's important to note that this consideration primarily applies to fibrous filters. Certain devices utilizing ActivePure technology may operate without filters altogether.

10. Smart air purifier - What extras does it have?

While this might be of lesser significance for many, it remains a question worth asking. Are you seeking a purifier with multiple layers of prefiltering and filtering? Do you prefer the convenience of operating it from your smartphone? Are you interested in a sleek design with user-friendly controls?

Concluding Thoughts

An indoor scene depicts a woman holding flowers, introducing allergens into the air—an essential factor to consider when selecting an air purifier.

Now armed with the right questions, embark on your journey to gather answers much like assembling a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Then, seek out a purifier capable of eliminating the pollen shed by that very bouquet.

If you find yourself in need of further assistance in making your decision, the experts at ActivePure stand ready to address any additional questions you may have. Their professional insights will serve as a breath of fresh air on your quest for indoor air quality.