How Air Purifiers Work

Home air purifiers have become very popular in the past few years. As a result, many more people are looking for information on air purifiers, and whether they should purchase one. Most people want to know two things: how do air purifiers work, and if, in reality, air purifiers do work as well as they are advertised.

How air purifiers work depends on the type of unit you are looking for. A popular type of air purifier is a filter-based unit, which includes units with HEPA filters. Filter-based air purifiers work by physically removing contaminating particles from the air. These units require frequent cleaning or replacement of the filter in order to work properly. The frequency will depend on the amount of contaminants the air purifier must remove from the air. Filter-based units may also feature a carbon filter, to remove chemicals and strong odors from the air.

Photocatalytic oxidation, or PCO, is used for areas that require sterilization, or removal of viruses and bacteria. How PCO air purifiers work is by using ultraviolet light to kill mold, viruses, and bacteria, but they do not filter the air. The ultraviolet light bulbs must be replaced periodically, to keep the unit functioning properly.

A newer type of air purifier to hit the market is the ionic air purifier. How ionic air purifiers work is by creating charged ions, which attach to particles in the air that pass into the purifier. The particles and ions then are attracted to a collector plate. No replacement of the collector plate is required, but periodic cleaning is necessary for the ionic air purifier to work properly. Many people say that ionic air purifiers really do work, but how well they work depends on the type you choose. A fan-based ionic air purifier works better than a fanless unit, for example, but will create more noise.

There are many brands and types of air purifiers available, and as with any product, opinions vary widely. You should research various types of air purifiers before buying. Some people will tell you the Oreck air purifier works best, while others may find another type was best for their particular needs. Proper research may also save you a lot of money-remember, the most expensive air purifier may not be the best one for your needs. The bottom line is, air purifiers do work, but only if you buy the right one for your home's air conditions.