Before Buying an Air Purifier – Ask Yourself These Questions!

Summer has officially packed its bags, moved out and Fall came right on in and said “IM HERE!”

With the change of seasons comes seasonal allergies, ragweed, mold and if you have a pet their fur sheds. This year has also added new concerns with COVID and air pollution. While we can’t control the air outside we do have control over the air we breathe in our homes. It can be as simple as buying an air purifier.

Why an Air Purifier?

Indoor air pollution has been consistently ranked among the top five environmental risks to public health by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because of quarantining, the masses have been staying inside more than ever before. With all of these factors effecting the air we breathe, both outdoor and indoor; it’s important to take full advantage of the preventative measures available to us especially for our health.

Using an air purifier will help create cleaner, healthier air in your home or office, so you can enjoy better indoor air quality. Answer these questions before you purchase one:

  1. General or Specific Need?
  2. What Size Air Purifier Do I Need?
  3. What Features Do I Need?

1. Do You Have a General or Specific Need?

Air purifiers are the best way to clean your air indoors, which can be polluted and full of triggering particles, like pollen and dust. They also help maintain a healthy environment by removing pet dander, mold spores, ragweed and and more. If you have specific needs for wanting an air purifier, like allergies, it’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right model and that its made to filter your irritants.

Specific Needs 

  • Allergies: If you have allergies, you should choose an air purifier designed for allergy relief. They typically have multiple filters, including HEPA filters, to remove indoor allergens.
  • Asthma: If you suffer from asthma or if your symptoms are triggered by odor and chemical pollutants, you’ll want to consider an asthma air purifier or an odor and chemical air purifier. These air purifiers contain added odor and chemical filtration as well as HEPA filters for allergen particle removal.
  • Smoke: Smoke air purifiers are specifically designed to remove smoke, fireplace soot, and other associated fumes that could aggravate existing respiratory conditions or cause unpleasant odors in your environment.
  • Pets: Select air purifiers are designed specifically for handling pets–they remove pet dander, odors, and hair.
  • Chemical Sensitivities: If you are extremely sensitive to chemicals, you might consider an air purifier for multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). These models contain even more odor and chemical filtration and are often manufactured with materials that will not off-gas chemicals into the air and aggravate your symptoms.

2. What Size Air Purifier Do I Need?

Air purifiers are not a “One Size Fits All” item, consider the square footage of the room you want to purify.

Units will come with a recommended room capacity (sq/ft), along with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). CADR is how fast an air purifier can clean the air in a room, more specifically this rate shows the ability to filter tobacco, smoke, dust and pollen. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers runs tests on units in independent laboratories and the CADR is assigned as a result of these tests. The U.S. EPA called CADR “The most helpful parameter for understanding the effectiveness of portable air cleaners”.

Use these guides when knowing what size is right for you:

  • Small: These air purifiers are designed for personal space or rooms up to 299 square feet.
  • Medium: For rooms between 300 and 699 square feet.
  • Large: Use these air purifiers in rooms between 700 and 1,900 square feet.
  • Whole-House

3. What Features Do I Need on My Air Purifier?

After choosing the type and size of air purifier you need, consider whether or not you’d like any special features.

Features include:

  • To save money and conserve energy, look for air purifiers that are Energy Star-rated by the EPA.
  • If keeping additional noise to a minimum is a concern, look for air purifiers with silencing technology
  • Other features can include: timer, sleep mode, caster wheels, handles for easy mobility, remote controls, multiple fan speeds, and filter change indicators.

The below video highlights the features and benefits of our DAP120BBWDB

 

In Summary

Before buying an air purifier make sure you:

  • Get one that will clean and filter out specific irritants – dander, allergens, odor, mold
  • Get one that is equipped for your room size – look at sq/ft capacity and CADR score
  • Filters out the particles in your home
  • Easy to use.

Air Purifiers are also ideal for offices, dorm rooms, assisted living residences, and extended stay rooms; clean air isn’t limited to only your house!

Danby Air Purifiers can be found here.

Check out the full original blog on Sylvane’s website here!

FAQ about Indoor Air and COVID-19

For more information about Association of Home Appliance Manufacturer’s can be found here.

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