Do Air Purifiers Really Work? The Science Behind Cleaner Indoor Air
"Buy now and enjoy pure, breathable air!"
That sounds all well and good, but it's easy to claim that an air purifier can clean your air with the push of a button. How do air purifiers work? Are they truly that effective? Is your air really so bad that you need to buy a solution?
There's some understandable skepticism around air purifiers, but that's why we're here today. As leaders in indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, we at Attune know a thing or two about air purifiers. Let's delve into what air purifiers are, how they function, and how they can be use to improve indoor air quality.
How Do Air Purifiers Function?
The purpose of air purifiers is to take the dirty air in your indoor environment and turn it into clean air. But how do air purifiers actually work? Well, let's break it down:
The Filtration Process
An air purifier is made up of a fan, at least one filter, and the housing to keep them in.
First, it spins the fan to suck up the air in the room. Then, the air needs to go through all the filters. The filters are designed to trap airborne pollutants such as pollen and dust. Ideally, by the time the air comes out the other side, all of the airborne particles that went in are now stuck in the filters. Now, the air is clean and breathable again!
Of course, air filters can only hold so much pollution. As they approach their limit, their effectiveness decreases. That's why you need to change filters once in a while and throw away the old ones, along with the grime they hold.
Types of Air Purifiers
There are several types of air purifiers on the market right now. Here is an overview of the most common types and how they manage air pollutants:
Mechanical filter: This filter uses a web of fibers to trap larger particles. The most effective among them are certified "HEPA" (high efficiency particulate air) filters. HEPA filters are so effective that they're proven to remove 99.97% of airborne pollution!
Activated carbon filter: While not effective against particles, these filters are great at trapping gases and odors. They're typically paired up with mechanical filters as a tag team: one handles particles, and the other handles gases.
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI): These devices approach the situation a little differently. Instead of absorbing pollutants, they emit ultraviolet light to kill organic compounds. This makes them better at fighting disease and bacteria, but less effective at dealing with particles and odors.
Ionizer: These machines emit ions which attach to particles, making them too heavy to remain afloat. These can be effective, but most produce ozone, which may irritate your respiratory system. This defeats the whole point of air purification, so keep this in mind.
Effectiveness in Removing Pollutants
Do air purifiers really work? Do they make a noticeable difference? Well, here are some of the benefits that you may enjoy:
Allergen Reduction
Pollen can be really bad at certain times of year, but common allergens like dust are always troublesome. HEPA filters are great for keeping these annoyances in check.
Mold and Mildew Control
These fungi are known for hiding in deep, dark places until they can spread and do more damage. If this is your issue, consider investing in a UVGI air purifier.
Choosing the Right Air Purifier
It seems like you have no shortage of options, but how do you narrow them all down? Well, there are a few things you need to do:
Identifying Specific Needs
As we've previously seen, not all air purifiers are built to handle all pollutants. The first step is to figure out what you're dealing with. Fungi? Odors? Germs? Once you decide what you want to eliminate (or prevent), that narrows you choices down to specific types of air purifiers.
If you're trying to keep multiple spaces clean at once, like an office environment, there may be a lot going on. In this case, investing in IAQ monitoring solutions from Attune may be a great first step.
Assessing Room Size
Are you trying to purify a closet or a warehouse? There are few, if any, air purifiers that are suited for both. Don't forget that many rely on fans to collect air, so a small fan won't have any effect on the opposite side of a large room.
Many air purifiers tell you their clean air delivery rate (CADR). This lets you know how much space the purifier is suited to handling. However, you should still read some reviews to make sure the claims aren't bogus.
Do Air Purifiers Truly Work?
They do! But getting the most out of them requires some knowledge of how they work and what pollutants they're designed to handle.
Furthermore, some spaces are so large and complex that multiple filtration systems might be necessary. In these cases, Attune is your guide to indoor air quality. Our IAQ monitoring solutions are designed to tell you everything happening in your indoor space. You can get real-time updates on your air quality, which can help you find pollutant sources and plan accordingly.
We all deserve healthy, pollutant-free air. So schedule a demo with Attune today and see the difference air filtration makes!
