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Though you may think that the air in your home is much cleaner than the air outside, it is certainly possible that your indoor air may even be more polluted. The smoke from cooking, dust mites, gases from building materials, and other pollutants can cause the air in your home to be more polluted than you think. If you spend most of your day indoors, then poor air quality can pose a risk to your health and increase the risk of contracting illnesses. As a result, getting an air purifier can come in handy to make your home’s environment cleaner and healthier.
It is not enough to look for any air purifier for dust if you are trying to buy one. Before anything else, you have to get to know how air purifiers work to understand what factors you can consider in your purchase decision. At the same time, different air purifiers may have various features or technologies to suit different cases. Thus, you have to make sure you select one that best fits your needs.
Find a Spot
First, decide where you will place your air purifier at home, so you know what size you can fit in the spot. Determine the size of the space that you want the purifier to reach because smaller purifiers will not be effective in large rooms or living spaces. For example, the small purifiers that can be connected to a device are ideal for small rooms, such as a child’s room. Otherwise, they may not be as effective since they are only built for small spaces.
Look at the CADR
When trying to buy an air purifier for dust, you might encounter the term clean air delivery rate (CADR). This metric gives you insights on the effectiveness of the device in filtering specific particulates. The higher the CADR, the more efficient a purifier is for a given room size. With that said, do take note that the CADR reflects the best-case scenario since it was computed with a controlled testing environment. Some variables in your home may affect the effectiveness of your purifier, but the CADR is still a good measurement to gauge.
Find the Right Filter
The filter you choose for your air purifier will depend on your needs or health condition. HEPA filters, which trap 99.97% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in size, are usually the most recommended since they can filter the smallest particles that the human eye cannot see. Some studies have shown that air filters can have various degrees of benefit for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. With that said, make sure you look for a purifier that explicitly says HEPA filter or a true HEPA filter to ensure you get the benefits.
Other purifiers may have additional filters. The activated carbon filter, for instance, can trap gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which will be helpful if you have a smoker in the house or you have pets.
Consider Noise
Air purifiers tend to have internal fans, which can affect their noise levels. Some can be on the louder side, while others can be so quiet that you will barely hear them. When deciding the noise level of your purifier, think about where you will be placing it. If you are putting it in a large living room, some noise may not be too disturbing. On the contrary, if you will be putting it in a child’s bedroom, it will be better to go for one that is quiet, even at higher speeds.
