How do busy shoppers find the right size purifier for the room they want to clean? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention targets a metric of 5 air changes per hour, known as ACH. We recommend that you do so. When looking at an air purifier, look for an airflow rate of cubic feet per minute on the lowest setting. When measuring the cube of a room, you need the area multiplied by the height of the room. Imagine a one-foot cube of Styrofoam. How many cubes can you fit in a room?
People buying air purifiers should also look for two acronyms and terms. First, look for CARB certification. This means that the air purifier has passed the strict standards of the California Air Resources Board. Next, check the filter type. Below, we will explain the differences in detail. Also, don’t forget to unwrap the filter. There’s a special kind of fear when you realize you’re driving an air purifier with a HEPA filter wrapped in plastic.
HEPA filter: This is a high-performance particulate air filter that can remove over 99.97% of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It’s a great option for people who suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, as it helps remove airborne particles that can cause symptoms such as sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and coughing. However, keep in mind that HEPA filters do not remove volatile organic compounds from the air like activated carbon filters. However, these are usually combined with carbon filters.
Activated carbon: Activated carbon filters (also known as activated carbon) are very effective because they are very porous and have a large surface area. The filter can absorb gas pollutants, odors, and VOCs. Perfect for removing fumes, smoke, and chemicals from the air. However, depending on your environment, these filters may need to be replaced more frequently. For example, if there is a wildfire in your area and your air purifier is working harder than normal, you may want to replace the saturated filter to prevent toxic gases from being released back into the air. It’s important.
Washable air filter: Some of the air purifiers featured in this guide come with washable pre-filters in addition to HEPA and activated carbon filters. This is what is commonly seen. It’s the most cost-effective as you don’t have to buy a new filter every time you change it. Simply remove, scrub with soap and water, and let dry.
UV-C disinfection filter: UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, parasites, mold spores, and bacteria. It cannot remove airborne particles, VOCs, or gaseous pollutants, so it is only fully effective when combined with a HEPA filter. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UV lights without the proper coating on the lamp can generate ozone. For air purifiers that are certified to emit little or no ozone, we recommend checking out this list from the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association.