Air purifiers: Clean air all around you

Your home's air quality may be worse than you realize. In this case, maintaining healthy lungs, blood vessels, and a robust cardiovascular system is essential year-round. 

Removing the sources of pollution and replacing them with clean outdoor air are the most excellent strategies to enhance the quality of air within a building. When those aren't options or won't do the trick, you can install the best HEPA air purifier in individual rooms that can make a difference.

Single-room air purifiers are more cost-effective than whole-house systems. (A whole house air purifier is connected to the HVAC system in a house.)

When Choosing an Air Purifier, What to Look for

1. Filters should be replaced (or cleaned if vacuumed) every three months for activated carbon filters and half yearly or annually for pleated filters. Most air purifiers have a filter change/cleaning indication light indicating when the filters must be changed. There is a wide variety of filter prices, from $20 to over $200. Carbon-based odor-control filters might set you back up to $50.

2. You may wish to check the package for a few certification labels. The Energy Star symbol is the first. Considering the cost of continuously running the air purifier in your budget would be best. Air purifiers with the Energy Star label are 40% more efficient than those without it.

3. If an air purifier bears the AHAM Verified seal, you know it is adequate for the specified room size. However, it would be best if you treated product statements with caution. Many of the air purifiers that are examined fall short of the claims they make about the size of the rooms they can clean. Evaluations will let you know which models fared best in each category, and you can then use that information to determine what air purifier would be best for your room and your needs. You may also want to think about going up a size since most units designed for rooms 350 square feet or more in size will perform adequately even at reduced speeds when used in smaller spaces. Lower speeds are generally quieter, making them more suitable for use while watching television or sleeping.

4. Consider the noise level a potential air purifier produces while making your decision. These devices are intended to be left on constantly; thus, they must be as quiet as possible. Before making a purchase, check the product's packaging or online listing to see what decibel level it has been rated at (for comparison, the hum of a refrigerator has a rating of about 50 dB). The noise levels of various models, when operating at high and low speeds, are also rated in the best HEPA air purifier reviews.

Maximizing the Efficiency of Your Air Cleaner

1. Filters should be cleaned or replaced often. A filter that is not clean in your air purifier will not function efficiently. Filters should be changed every three months for activated carbon filters and every six months for pleated filters if they can be vacuumed.

2. Be strategic about where you put it. If you have one, position it in the room where you spend the most time. That would be the bedroom for the vast majority of people reading this. Some units may be large and awkward to move about, so if you want an air purifier in numerous rooms, you may want to buy a unit for each room. Make sure to install the air purifier in an area where nothing can hinder airflow, such as away from drapes.

3. Alter the rate at which it is going. Keep the unit on high speed when you're not in the room, and switch it down to low when you return to minimize noise disturbances. Alternatively, you might invest in an air purifier approved for a bigger space, allowing you to use it at a slower speed while still reaping the benefits.