What to look for in an Air Purifier

July 9th, 2015

Air Purifiers Appliance Talk Buying Guide

Don’t want to get sick this winter?  Even if you’ve already had your flu injections, and are keeping your home meticulously clean, completely protecting your loved ones from germs sometimes requires some special equipment – in this case, an air purifier.

airpurifier-715x256

Here’s a brief guide to the kinds of features to look for when selecting an air purifier for your home:

Performance

Not every air purifier is created equal.  As there are many types of impurities in the air that can cause irritation, allergies, or sickness, your air purifier needs to be able to handle them all to keep your home safe and comfortable.

Irritants in the air include:

  • Dust
  • Human Hair
  • Pet fur
  • Fine dust (such as sandstorm dust)
  • Bacteria (including Legionella and Human Influenza)
  • Viruses
  • Mildew
  • Harmful gases
  • Odours (including cigarette odours)

You’ll want to find an air purifier that can manage all of these impurities to guarantee that your home stays protected.

Cli-Mate Air Purification System CLI-AP30Cli-Mate Air Purification System CLI-AP30

For example, the Cli-Mate Air Purification System CLI-AP30 uses a multi-filter system, comprising a pre-filter to collect larger particles, a deodorising carbon filter, and a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter to eliminate 99.95% of impurities in the air. On top of this, it also adds an ioniser and UV photocatalyst technology to further sterilise your home’s air.

Smart sensors

To keep your home’s air its cleanest, and to make the most efficient use of your air purifier, try to find a model that utilises smart sensors.

  • An air quality sensor can monitor the level of impurity in your home’s air, so you can use your purifier more effectively.
  • A light sensor can automatically switch your unit to Sleep Mode when it’s dark, for efficient night-time running, and switch it back when the light returns.
  • A Filter Replacement Indicator lets you know when it’s time for some maintenance to keep your unit running at peak efficiency for longer
  • A power loss function will keep your unit running even following blackouts
  • A child safety system makes your air purifier safer for the home but shutting down any moving parts when the unit is opened.

Size

All jokes aside, size does matter when it comes to air purifiers.

Typically, smaller units can efficiently manage the air quality of a single room, while bigger units can keep things breathable in larger areas.

For example, the Cli-Mate air purifier pictured above is sized to efficiently clear the air for an area of approximately 25 square metres – that’s about the size of a decent living area, or even a studio apartment.

Energy efficiency

Leaving your air purifier running is great for your health, especially for sufferers of asthma or allergies, but it can be bad for your power bill, unless it runs efficiently.

The size of the purifier is usually a factor in how much energy it consumes, as is its fan speed.  Using the previous example, the Cli-Mate Air Purification System CLI-AP30 runs at approximately 55W on its highest fan setting, while its smaller cousin, the Cli-Mate Air Purification System CLI-AP20, runs at a maximum of 35 watts.

As well as looking for a model with a good energy star rating, see if you can find one with sensors (see above) that can help save energy, such as a Light Sensor that automatically switches changes modes based on the time of day.  Some models also let you program their settings ahead of time, both for convenience and energy efficiency.

Also, keep an eye out for an air purifier that doesn’t emit ozone – the environment will thank you.

Silent operation

It’s all well and good to have a home that’s free from bacteria, but it’s not much good if you can’t relax and breathe deeply as your air purifier is too noisy.

Check the specifications of your air purifier for a noise ratig from the manufacturer – 20-something decibels is around the noise level of a running laptop, while 50-something decibels is around the noise level of a typical conversation.  Any louder than that, and you’ll have some problems.

Mark joined Appliances Online in November 2011 and has since learned more than he ever expected to know about appliances. He enjoys looking for new and unusual ways for to solve everyday problems using typical household appliances. When he’s not toiling at the desks of Appliances Online and Big Brown Box, he tries to find time to write the next big bestseller and draw satirical cartoons, but is too easily distracted by TV, music and video games. Mark’s favourite appliance is the Dyson Groom Tool, as he loves the concept of vacuuming your dog. Google+

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *