Room air purifiers can help rid us of one of the top five environmental health risks we all live with: indoor air pollution.
Indoor air pollution doesn’t just smell bad; it is dangerous. Allergens in the air can make people sick and can even be fatal to the elderly, infants and people with impaired breathing. Thankfully, room air purifiers provide an inexpensive, quiet and quick solution to the unwanted pollution.
The Rise in Popularity of Room Air Purifiers
While the Environmental Protection Agency recommends combating indoor air pollution with fresh out-door air, that’s not always a solution for some. Weather and out-door air pollution conditions can make the indoor air problem even bigger. In the event that it’s not possible to bring in fresh out-door air, a room purifier makes a great substitute.
Room air purifiers can clean air room by room; most are not intended for filtering the whole house. They are, however, ideal for small spaces, like apartments and offices. Some desktop models can clean as much as 650 square feet in one area. Due to their size, they tend to be very quiet and energy efficient and that has helped them grow in popularity over the past few years.
Another reason room air purifiers may be growing in popularity is due to more research in natural, or chemical and medication free, living. People are beginning to realize that many medications only mask the problem of allergy relief and don’t actually correct it.
Room Air Purifiers Give Relief To Those With Breathing Sensitivities
Allergies can be triggered or created by a number of things, including dust, smoke, animal dander, pollen, mold, roach droppings and even air fresheners or other fragrances that many people use to mask the smell of indoor air pollutants. Room air purifiers can help rid your rooms of these allergens and freshen the air.
There are two main types of room air purifiers- mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners. Mechanical air filters work by removing particles through capturing them on filter materials. HEPA filters fall in this category. Electronic air cleaners purify a room through a process called electrostatic attraction that creates and traps charged particles. Almost all room air purifiers use a combination of HEPA filters and electricity. Some room air purifies that use the electrostatic attraction method have been known to create high levels of ozone, a lung irritant, so it is recommended that you check the specifics of each room air purifier before purchase.
Since they are small, cleaning multiple rooms may require multiple room air purifiers. It’s important to place them in areas where they have access to air flow and remember to change the filters often so as not to damage the unit.
While it may seem like a small change that won’t make much difference, keep in mind room air purifiers can be used all year long. Many people look at allergies as a seasonal problem, when it’s a problem that really never goes away. Allergens do not rest just because the weather changes and neither will a room air purifier.