Do I Really Need An Air Purifier?

What Is An Air Purifier? Does It Really Work?

Air purifiers do work as advertised. It is an air-cleaning device consisting of multiple filters and a motor fan that pulls air into its filtration, trapping the contaminants before circulating purified air back to the room. It is absolutely worth getting an air purifier because it can bring many health benefits that are only made possible with clean air.

Do I Need An Air Purifier?

Yes, you would need an air purifier for your home, as indoor air quality is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. With constant clean air distribution, you will breathe better, live healthier, and stay happier. That said, the health benefits of an air purifier are less noticeable for those living in a much ideal environment. To figure out how needy you are for an air cleaner, we highly recommend going through the carefully curated questions below.

You Will Need An Air Purifier If:

• You have asthma or hypersensitivity allergies triggered by airborne dust, pet dander, pathogens, and germs. The best asthma air purifier will reduce the number of allergens in the air and relieve the allergy symptoms like sneezing, red eyes, wheezing, inflamed bronchial tubes, and cough. It will also protect you from a preventable asthma attack. Best of all, there is no conflict of use with your doctor-prescribed antihistamine/ allergy medication.
• You want to stay healthy and stop falling sick. Air purifiers trap bacteria and viruses spreading airborne, causing viral infections like flu, cough, or headache. If the particular model comes with UV light technology, it will permanently destroy the pathogens’ DNA cells from reproducing and causing diseases, rendering them harmless. As everyone in the household breathes the same air space, it will also protect little ones, pregnant women, and elderlies with weakened immune systems.
• You want a dust-free home (or at least close to it) with minimal effort. A HEPA air purifier is great at removing airborne dust particles consisting of dust mites, human skin cells, hair, debris, and pest debris before the pollutants can settle on surface grounds. With less dust in the air, less vacuuming frequency is needed, and you will have more time to yourself.
• You want to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Building materials, cleaning agents, adhesives, and wall paint will off-gas chemicals that are dangerous to your health under high concentrations exposure. The best VOCs air purifier with a carbon filter eliminates airborne toxins like VOCs, radon, formaldehyde, ammonia, chlorine, phthalates, NO, CO, and CO2 before ending up in your body.
• You want a fresh, odor-free home. Air purifiers with an activated carbon filter neutralize smoke and odor derived from cooking, stinky pet, cigarette, chemical fumes, haze, and even wildfire. Very useful in homes with poor ventilation, smokers, and heavily polluted areas. It is a way better alternative than relying on air fresheners.
• You are a pet owner. Many people (including your spouse or children) can be allergic to pets at some stage of their life. A pet-oriented air purifier is a great tool to mitigate pet allergies by removing germs, pet dander, and odors from a cat, dog, or rodent. Your home will stay fresh and clean, similar to a home without furry ones.
• You are allergic to mold spores. Mold and humidity are neverending problems in most homes that can severely affect your health. An air purifier can filter out the mold spore and mildew in the air, so you don’t breathe into the microbes. It will also halt mold from spreading and infesting your home. A moisture-removing dehumidifier would also pair nicely to create an inhabitable environment for mold.
• You want to have a better sleep. An air purifier can improve sleep quality by ensuring the air is always clean. You can place it by the bedside as a HEPA air cleaner runs quietly with minimal white noise. Without the allergens disrupting your sleep, you will breathe better and experience less awake or restlessness.
• You live in an old house built prior to the 1970s. An air purifier would reduce the risk of radon and asbestos exposure to a certain degree. Asbestos is a common building material used in older homes as heat insulation. It can become airborne when disturbed during drilling, hacking, or renovation. Along with radon leakage, the duo carcinogenic compounds kill more than 21,000 people yearly. Hire a professional inspector and removal to ensure your home is safe.

You Do Not Need An Air Purifier (For Now) If:

• You live in an area with good air quality free from seasonal wildfires and haze.
• You clean and vacuum your home regularly from dust. 
• You have no smoke or unpleasant odor concern in your home.
• You don’t have a pet and have no problems around a pet.
• You do not fall sick often.
• You are not a smoker or are not staying with a smoker.
• You do not have severe allergies, asthma, or any breathing difficulty.
• You live in a newer home or have yet to do any renovation recently.

We hope by this point, you will have a clear idea of all the benefits an air purifier has to offer. However, if you are still uncertain about needing one after going through the entire listing, consider getting an indoor air quality monitor first. It will update you on how good or bad the indoor air quality is so you can decide whether it is wise to invest in an air purifier.

What Should You Look For In An Air Purifier?

Needing an air purifier is one thing, but getting the right one requires some effort. The list below will give you a head start on how to pick the ideal air purifier.

• HEPA air purifier - Always choose a filter-based air purifier over an ionizer or UVGI. It is the safest and most effective option. Never, ever buy an ozone generator.
• Room size - Air purifiers come in different sizes for different purposes. Always measure your room size, and pick an air purifier with the suggested room air cleaning coverage to match that. An overly small air cleaner that cannot fulfill the requirement would be a waste of money.
• Clean air delivery rate (CADR) - AHAM's standardized measurement of the effectiveness of an air purifier removing air particulate in a room. Any model that outputs CADR between 200 to 400 cfm would be a great all-rounder. Note that not all manufacturers will partake in the test.
• Noise level - Ideally, a HEPA air purifier should only output 20-40 dB of whispering noise at low speed and under 70 dB. A quiet air purifier should be your utmost priority if you intend to leave it in a baby room or for night use.
• Filter maintenance - You need an air purifier, but are you willing to maintain it? Always look ahead of the filter cost, as it is inevitable. Most mechanical air purifiers use a HEPA and carbon filter that require routine replacement at around $80 to $200 annually. The cost will be higher depending on the quality and number of filters.
• Reputation - Many disingenuous manufacturers in the market overhype their products. You must pick a reputable brand like Honeywell, IQAir, Winix, or Blueair with a track record to back it up. While at it, look for certifications such as UL listed, Asthma & Allergy Friendly, AHAM Verifide, or Energy Star for better assurance.