Air Purifier Guide

Since the onset of the industrial revolution, the air we breathe has become increasingly polluted. Our atmosphere is fouled by a variety of noxious substances, including, but not limited to, chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), volatile organic compounds, particulate matter (smoke, soot, volcanic ash), and radioactive fallout. What many of us don't realize is that the air quality in our homes is often worse than it is outside.

Indoor air pollution comes from a variety of sources: cigarette smoke, allergens like mold and pet dander, radon gas, chemical emissions from building materials and carpet, and even air conditioning, which robs the air of negative ions. Poor ventilation leads to trapped, stale, and potentially harmful air, with an unhealthy concentration of the aforementioned contaminants, as well as unpleasant odors (which brings to mind my old roommate's profoundly smelly feet and nauseating flatulence, but I digress).

A high-quality home air purifier can be a good solution to indoor air pollution, and not just for allergy sufferers, asthmatics, and the chemically sensitive. However, according to Consumer Reports, "There's little medical evidence that air cleaners alone reduce the effects of indoor pollutants for those with asthma and allergies, despite the more than $350 million per year people spend on these products," adding the proviso that, "No air purifier alone will clean the air. Nor should it be the first thing you try."

That being said, air purifiers can help deal with indoor air quality issues, but finding one that is effective and affordable at the same time is the hard part. This buyer's guide is intended to help you find an air purifier in your price range that won't waste your hard-earned cash. Fortunately, the technology has improved greatly in recent years, so there are a number of excellent options to fit most budgets.

Hopefully, this guide will save you time and help you find the best air purifier for you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN PURCHASING AN AIR PURIFIER

First of all, donʼt buy just to buy.

Try to determine if the air your home is unhealthy. There are several indicators of poor indoor air quality: stale, stuffy air; lingering odors (again, my old roommate comes to mind); eye, nose or throat irritation; relative humidity levels below 30% or over 60%; excessive dust; and pet dander. If the air in your home has one or more of these indicators, you may well want to consider making some changes.

First, try the basics. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains that your best bets to improve the air quality in your home are taking such common sense steps as not smoking in the house, opening windows whenever possible, and using outdoor-venting fans in the bathroom and kitchen. You can also go as far as to remove carpeting from your home, because even if it doesn't emit noxious chemicals, it is fertile breeding ground for dust mites. Or you could simply add a few plants to your living space.

If you want to go the extra mile, air purifiers are definitely an option.

There are several types of air purification and many models use more than one of them to provide the most effective filtration. Then there's the matter of whether you want a whole house or just a one-room air purifier, and how much noise you're willing to put up with.

Here are the three basic air purifier varieties:

Filter-based Purification forces air through a filter, trapping airborne particles. The most common are HEPA filters, and activated carbon. There are also UV filters that use ultra-violet light to destroy the DNA of bacteria and viruses, but these are only effective when used in combination with other types of filtration.

Ionizer Purification generates electrically charged ions that attach themselves to airborne particles, which are then electrostatically attracted to an electrically charged collector plate. Also known as"Ionic Purifiers" and "Electronic Precipitators," they also produce small amounts of toxic ozone. Perhaps the most well-known is the "Ionic Breeze" from Sharper Image, which several sources tell me is completely useless.

Ozone Generators are often used to remove serious air quality issues like must and mold due to flooding, and smoke residue from fire damage. Hotels often use them after a guest smokes in a non-smoking room. The maintenance guys at our apartment complex used one when our downstairs neighbor died, and his body was not found for a week. Ozone generators are not an option for everyday use, as it is highly unhealthy to breathe ozone gas, which is pretty toxic stuff.

Find product reviews of these top air purifier brands:

Read Ionic Air Purifier Reviews

Read Sharper Image Air Purifier Reviews

Read Honeywell Air Purifier Reviews

Read Holmes Air Purifier Reviews

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING AN AIR PURIFIER

Finding the air purifier that is right for you is dependent on the square footage of your house or apartment, and the type and level of contaminants in the air. Make sure the square footage listed for the air purifier is about the same or slightly more than the square footage of the space it is meant to cover. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a number calculated by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which rates how much and how well the unit filters the air. There are three numbers: one for tobacco smoke, one for dust, and one for pollen. The higher the CADR rating, the more effective the air purifier.

The cost of energy usage and filter replacement must also be taken into account when calculating the total cost of a particular unit. Noise levels are also something to consider, as the noise pollution generated by some units can outweigh the reduction in air pollution. Consumer Reports recommends using the low setting to reduce both the noise and the impact on your energy bills.

Then there's the matter of the warranty. Look for at least a five year warranty, and make sure that it covers all the parts that are most likely to break down. Read the fine print to find out whether or not the warranty will be voided depending on whether or not you purchase replacement filters or otherwise fail to conform to the manufacturer's recommend maintenance schedule.

BEST BETS FOR AIR PURIFIERS

For the Budget-Conscious:

Room-size air purifiers range in price from $85 to $300, with additional costs incurred in energy usage, and in some models, replacement filters. While there are units that cost less, they are largely useless. Some affordable models include:

Honeywell Quiet Clean HFD-120-Q air purifier ($150)

Hamilton Beach True Air Purifier ($130)

Bionaire Permatech BAP 1500 air purifier ($150)

For the Value-Conscious:

For the best value, not to mention overall effectiveness, a whole house air purifier is the way to go. However, Consumer Reports recommends a couple of room-size models as being moderately effective, combining performance with quieter operation, particularly when set on low:

Whirpool Whispure AP45030S air purifier ($230)

Kenmore Progressive 83202 Air Purifier ($270)

Alen A350 Air Purifier ($350)

However, as I mentioned, whole house air purifiers tend to work better, even if they tend to be more expensive. Top-performing air purifier models include:

Lennox Healthy Climate HC16 Air Purifier ($350, but requires professional installation)

IQ Air HealthPro Plus Air Purifier ($800)

Austin Air Healthmate Air Purifiers ($500, for apartments up to 650 square feet)

CX 3000 Whole House Air Purification System ($1395)

For Those Who can Splurge:

The following models were rated highly by several different sources, and represent the best options for whole-house house filtration when money is no object, and one can afford to go whole hog:

IQ Air Perfect 16 Purifier ($2695)

Amaircare Models 10000 & 8500 Purification Systems ($2250)

Allerair I 6500 Air Purification ($5000)

THE BOTTOM LINE

Proper ventilation and plenty of fresh air would seem to be the most effective way to positively affect the air quality in your home. If you live in an airtight, glassed-in apartment or in a structure suffering from Sick Building Syndrome, an air purifier will provide some relief.

After you have tried the common sense steps of banning cigarettes and cigars from your home, keeping your windows open whenever possible, regularly changing the filters on your air conditioner and furnace, and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, you may want to look into buying an air purifier. Or you may find that you don't really need one after all.

Hopefully, these air purifier comparisons have been helpful to you, one way or the other.

Me, I think you'd be better off investing in water purification, either a ten-stage filter or better yet, a reverse osmosis system to remove flouride from your drinking water. Sure, indoor air quality is an issue, but the quality of our water supply is an even greater concern. That's my two cents, anyway.

SOURCES

The more objective the reviews concerning air purifiers, the more they stressed that an expensive air purification system is not a necessity, but merely an additional tool that is somewhat effective in combating indoor air pollution.

Many of the sites offering reviews of air purifiers also happened to be retailers, so their recommendations must be taken with a grain of salt, to say the least. However, the products listed above have been rated as effective in doing what they are advertised to do, and if you choose to purchase an air purifier, they offer the best values on the market.

http://www.consumerreports.org/

http://www.consumersearch.com/

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/

http://www.air-purifier-power.com/best-air-purifier-reviews.html