Air pollution is a major concern worldwide as it affects the health of all living creatures. Access to clean air isn’t guaranteed even when you are at home. The air inside carries harmful particles that can damage your lungs and health in general. Fortunately, air filtration systems purify the air around your house to provide clean air for you and your family. However, there are dozens of air purifiers in the market and many of the manufacturers claim that their products are outstanding while in practice they are not. Here are the considerations you should keep in mind while purchasing an air filtration system.
HEPA Filter
The first quality you should look for is whether the system has a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air filter, which can filter extremely small particles in the air that weigh down to 0.3 micrograms. In simple terms, HEPA filters purify the air with efficiency higher than non-HEPA or non-ozone-producing filters ensuring that you have better air to breathe. Keep in mind that some brands will claim they have super or medical-grade HEPA filters, but there is no standard for these marketing allegations. On the contrary, they might make the purifier less effective, so stick to brands that have regular HEPA filters.
Cost of Replacement Filters
As a rule of thumb, you should replace the filters every 6 to 12 months or clean the filters that can be cleaned. Activated carbon filters need to be replaced every three months. Before committing to an air filtration system, you need to know how much the filters cost as it will become a regular expense in your life. Additionally, we might forget to change the filter at those time intervals but some air purifiers come with an indicator that reminds you to replace or clean the filter.
Certifications
In order to pick a quality air purifier, you have to scan the packaging for some specific labels that show they are certified. Energy Star logo indicates that this product is 40% more energy-efficient than standard air purifiers. This certification means that you will save energy when using this purifier which you will be using all the time. There is another label showing that the air filtration system has been tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) which means this product is free from hazards that can harm you and meets the safety standards. If you are interested in certified air purification for a laboratory or manufacturing facility, you can click here to find the right solutions for your needs. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) tests products and provides a seal indicating the room size guideline and the clean air delivery rates (CADRs) of the purifier. CADR reflects the volume of clean air that the purifier can produce at its highest speed setting, and the higher the CADR, the faster and more efficient the air filtration system is. Additionally, there are CADR ratings for a specific pollutant such as removing pollen, dust, or tobacco smoke.
Room Size
The AHAM seal indicates the room size the purifier can handle efficiently. You should know where you will put the system in your house and the size of that room before buying it. However, some manufacturers claim their air purifiers are suitable for certain room sizes and they don’t deliver as claimed. Fortunately, you can read reviews and ratings on the internet of customers that will tell you how good (or bad) the air purifier is. You may consider purchasing an air filtration system that handles a bigger room than yours to turn it on at a low speed to enjoy a quiet night.
Noise Level
Typically, air purifiers should always be working while you are at home, especially if you have allergies. There will be a potential problem if you purchased a noisy air purifier. You can find the decibels of a model on its packaging or through online reviews and ratings. You should know the decibel rating on the low speed and high-speed settings to see if you can handle that kind of noise. As a reference, a 50-decibel noise rating is equal to a refrigerator.
An air filtration system is essential for every home, especially to have clean air for the family. You should opt for purifiers with HEPA filters as they are the most efficient air filters on the market. Air purifiers need regular maintenance and you should be able to commit to those expenses. Ensure that the product is certified from reliable sources to guarantee that it’s safe.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
