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Category: Air Purifiers

There is much debate about which type of air purifier is best for home use. Currently there are about five different technologies but the most popular models use only two kinds of technology. This is what we will discuss because portable or room air purifiers are what most people choose to buy. They require no kind of installation and are relatively inexpensive especially when comparing them to systems that cost thousands of dollars and require internal ducts. The two technologies you will come across are electrostatic precipitator filterless air cleaners and cleaners that have a HEPA filter.

People automatically assume that any device that is filter less is better. They think of filters as being a hassle to maintain and clean. Unfortunately this is true to some extent but the main reason why people buy air purifiers is to clean the air in their home. With this in mind, a little hassle should be tolerated if your breathing and allergies improve. First let us explain how these two technologies work. Air purifiers that are filter less and use electrostatic precipitator electronically charges the air or passage in which the pollutant particles passes through. This effectively neutralizes the dirty particle and captures it on a plate which collects the pollutants. This plate is then cleaned from time to time and reinserted inside the air purifier.

The problem with method is that there are particles that are too minuscule and as a result escape. Another problem with electrostatic precipitator air cleaners is that they emit ozone. And while the ozone layer is a good thing for our planet, it can be detrimental to our well being on ground level. A Hepa air purifier on the other hand does not emit ozone and is more effective at capturing and collecting pollutants because the filter has sieves that trap even the smallest of particles. These pollutants are measured in microns and a hepa filter can trap particles that are as small as .03 micron. This is important if you are suffering from allergies caused by dust or pollen. The choice is yours and you should take the time to read as much as you can on these two very different technologies. Personally an air purifier with a hepa filter works best for me because it cleans the air in my home without emitting harmful ozone in the process.

Air purifiers are devices that help in removing air borne pollutants. These pollutants may be dust, pollen or even minute microscopic particles invisible to the naked eye. They pose a number of health problems ranging from breathlessness, asthma to cancer. There are various types of air cleaners available for both domestic and commercial purposes. HEPA air purifiers are one of the most popular types seen in the air purification industry.

HEPA filtration system was first developed in the 1940s to remove radioactive particles from air in laboratories. They were later redesigned and the newer versions were used for cleaning air in various places like hospitals, houses, airplanes, etc. HEPA air purifiers are mainly used to remove airborne pollutants. HEPA filters are known to remove at least 99.97% unwanted particles. They are quite effective in removing particles sizes of upto 0.01 micrometer.

There are three ways in which the filters in a HEPA purifier trap particles. The first type of filter traps the bigger particles like any filtration process where the holes of the filters are smaller when compared to the particulate matter. So, they prevent the bigger particles to pass through, acting like a sieve. The second type of filters act by a process called “impaction”. Here, when the pollutant travels in the air stream, it gets deviated from its normal course and collides with the fiber present in such filters and gets trapped. The third type of technique is “diffusion”. This process ensures removal of very minute particles which hit the fibers and eventually get trapped.

HEPA air purifiers are known to remove various allergens, dust and pollen articles. They are thought to be the most effective type of air cleaning devices. These purifiers are highly efficient but to keep them in a good condition for a long time, the filters have to be changed regularly. To make sure you choose a good air purifier, remember to look at reviews and air purifier ratings before you make your purchase.