Get Fresh Clean Air - How Indoor Air Purifiers Work
Written By: Taylor Rao
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The pandemic has changed a lot about our households, shopping lists, and day-to-day activities. We’ve found ways to shop smarter (hello, grocery delivery), made socializing more tech-friendly via virtual hangouts, and we’ve simplified, organized, and improved our homes to make our living spaces more comfortable, enjoyable and health-and-safety focused.
One upgrade that can go a long way in helping your household stay clear of sickness this winter is upgrading your indoor air quality by purifying the air using new products and technology. And while by now we know why air filtration is so important, it’s also good to understand how indoor air purifiers work to ensure you’re investing in the right one for your home.
Here’s a deeper look at some of the different air purifiers on the market right now and what exactly they do. It helps to start with some simple definitions so you know exactly how to start your Google search to find the best indoor air purifier for you.
HVAC Systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology; the system responsible for keeping homes at a comfortable temperature through heating and cooling. But they can also impact your home’s air quality as much as its temperature. HVAC systems are where you will also install some air filters, typically that sit above the HVAC unit.
HVAC systems (or forced hot air) systems are common in homes newer than 30 years old and are often located in the basement of the home, or closet space in a one-story apartment or condominium.
How HVAC works
The furnace heats the air using natural gas or oil and is responsible for heating the air in your home to the desired temperature.
The air conditioner cools the air by using electricity and a coolant liquid to take the air temperature down, forcing the hot air to go outside of the home.
The thermostat is what you’ll use to control the heating and air conditioning in your HVAC system.
HEPA Systems
HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air filter, is a mechanical air system that can remove up to 99.97 percent of pollutants and allergens, graded on a system for efficiency. HEPA systems can tie into a home’s existing HVAC system, or individual filters or air purifiers can be purchased for specific rooms. This is the most common type of air filter found in most homes.
HEPA filters should be changed every two to three months and checked at least monthly to get a good understanding of when exactly they will need to be replaced. A higher grade HEPA filter (like MERV-13) should technically need replacing sooner as it’s catching more harmful particles than a lower-grade filter that doesn’t catch as fine of particles and letting more dust and dirt remain in the air.
How HEPA filters work
To put it simply, HEPA filters act as a net, catching any size particle that is small enough to fit through the hole --which can include dust, bacterias, hair, and allergens. More expensive HEPA filters or those with a higher rating will catch more particles. Less expensive or lower-rated HEPA filters will essentially catch fewer particles.
Ultraviolet technology
Ultraviolet lights placed on top of the evaporator coil can help remove mold and bacteria from the moisture created by the heating and air conditioning units. UV light reduces the concentrations of bacteria and viruses throughout the home. Other UV air purifiers can be used as a standalone system in the home, but many work better in concert with another system.
How UV purifiers work
UV light air purifiers work in combination with an HVAC and a HEPA filter. The UV light contributes to the process of cleaning the air through the type of light it emits, which is not able to be seen by the human eye. Depending on the type of UV light bulb used, these should be replaced around once per year.
Standalone air purifiers
If you are looking for something more than what your home’s HVAC system already provides, a standalone air purifier will ensure your air quality is top-notch year-round --and is especially useful in helping homes with allergies breathe easier.
How a standalone air purifier works
Air purifiers use a filter that sucks in and circulates air back out. Similar to how the HEPA filter works in an HVAC system, the particles are captured in the filter as air moves through it --pushing the clean air into the living spaces of your home and leaving the bad stuff behind.
Like anything, though, what you put into it has a lot to do with what you get back out --literally. The ongoing theme here is to make sure you use a high-quality filter for the best results. And if you’re looking for an indoor air purifier that’s highly rated and extremely effective, the AirDoctorPro is up to 100 times more effective than the traditional HEPA filter with its ULTRAHEPA filter.
AirDoctorPro has six unique features that make it unlike any other air purifier on the market:
ULTRAHEPA filter
Dual-action Carbon/Gas Trap/VOC Filter
100% sealed system
“Auto-mode”
Change filter alert
Quiet performance
And the best part? AirDoctorPro offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you try your product out at home and aren’t totally sold.
The moral of the story when it comes to indoor air purifiers is it’s all about the filters. So, do your research, decide what type of money you’re willing to invest in a system and corresponding filters, and then get yourself in a solid routine of checking those filters regularly to know exactly how effective they’re being and be the first to know when they are in need of replacing.
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