Indoor Air Purifier FAQ

You've probably been asking yourself "What should I look for when purchasing an indoor air purifier?" Choosing an air purification system is a big decision. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers. 

Q - How does an indoor air purifier work?

A - Generally, air purifiers work by mechanical filtration, electrical attraction or a mixture of the two methods. Mechanical or "media" filters pull dust from the air as a fan propels the air through the filter. Electrical-attraction cleaners (ionic air cleaners) use a principle similar to "static cling" - they charge particles in the air or a collection device in the filter (or both) to create a magnetic attraction between particles and filter.

Most tabletop and portable room air purifiers actually propel air through a combination of filters: a foam pre-filter to screen out large particles, the primary filter or electrical-attraction device to catch smaller particles, a carbon filter to remove odors and some gasses and a post-filter for any lingering particles.

Q - What types of indoor pollution does an air purifier filter?

A - An air purifier filters dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other airborne particulate as small as 0.3 microns.

Q - How effective are air cleaners?

A - An air cleaner's effectiveness is measured by how effectively it traps particles and the quantity of air it can handle in a given period of time. It's only as beneficial as its ability to trap particles of all sizes and move enough air to make a difference.

Q -  How much do indoor air purifiers cost?

A - Price can be deceiving. In the air purifier market, there are inexpensive air purifiers that are very effective. Conversely there are extremely expensive air purifiers that do not clean the air very well at all. In all cases, cost is not necessarily the way to determine the best air purifier for your situation. 

The true measure of an air purifier’s value is cost per cubic foot cleaned in relationship to price. Low price doesn’t always equal cost efficiency and you may pay the price in the long run.

Indoor air purifiers initial costs range from $70 for a tabletop model to $700 for a high quality HEPA system.

Q - How often do I need to replace the filter?

A - Within a year, many purifiers actually cost more in replacement parts than their original price. On average, filters last about 3 months and range from $20 to $210 each. Sometimes two or three filters are required to keep one unit running. Ionizing units do not have filters but you will need to clean the electro-static plates often. 

Know the replacement costs. It is also important to verify replacement costs before buying an air purifier, so you understand the total lifetime cost. Some air filters cost a couple hundred dollars a year in replacement filters.

Q. Are they expensive to run?

A - Many air purifiers consume heavy amounts of power, adding upwards of $200 a year or more to your electricity bill. In which case, it is important to verify the wattage used by an air purifier. Anything over 100 watts, can add over $100 a year to your electricity bill.

Q - Are indoor air purifiers loud?

A - Air filtration units with a high wattage rating may be capable of drawing large volumes of air through the unit, but they are also very noisy. As a result, you exchange air pollution for noise pollution.

Ask if you can try out the product before buying it to test the noise level if this is a concern for you. Also, some products may offer a money-back guarantee. If this is the case, you can try the product out at home and return it if you are unsatisfied.

Pure Air Facts - Indoor Air Purifier