A Buyer's Guide to Air Purifiers
Purchasing an air purifier for your home? Here are some factors you should consider before your big buy
Gone are the days when an outdoor stroll meant a ticket to an unlimited supply of fresh oxygen. With air quality constantly on the decline in major cities around the world, clean air is becoming a remarkable luxury. While we might enjoy the benefits of living in a garden city, Singapore also experiences horrible air pollution, especially during Hungry Ghost Month and the haze season. If you’ve been considering an air purifier to battle the spiralling pollution, yet have been constrained by questions, seek comfort (and answers) in this guide.
Yet, the big question is – how effective are air purifiers? According to a study on high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters by researchers at Intermountain Healthcare at Salt Lake City, USA, HEPA filters used in the home showed a marked reduction in fine-particulate matter compared to non-HEPA filters. The study, which monitored air quality over a period of 12 weeks at the homes of patients with respiratory disorders, revealed HEPA filters lowered fine particulate matter by 55 per cent and incoming particulate pollution by 23 per cent.
Is Your Indoor Air Making You Sick?
Is Your Indoor Air Making You Sick?
The scope of an air purifier
An air purifier isn’t a magic wand that conjures away 100 per cent of the pollution in your vicinity. Also, the promise of 99 per cent effectiveness is an outcome of fastidiously controlled lab conditions, and likely won’t apply in your home. In your home environment, there may be other factors that impede air purification – such as the location, flow rate and functional efficiency of your model, and whether your windows are open or closed (open windows can invite new particles, so your air may have a constant inflow of pollutants). The result? Your environment might not be as clean as the brand claims had you believe.
No More Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Wheezy: Keep Your Home Asthma-Safe
An air purifier isn’t a magic wand that conjures away 100 per cent of the pollution in your vicinity. Also, the promise of 99 per cent effectiveness is an outcome of fastidiously controlled lab conditions, and likely won’t apply in your home. In your home environment, there may be other factors that impede air purification – such as the location, flow rate and functional efficiency of your model, and whether your windows are open or closed (open windows can invite new particles, so your air may have a constant inflow of pollutants). The result? Your environment might not be as clean as the brand claims had you believe.
No More Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Wheezy: Keep Your Home Asthma-Safe
Factors to consider when choosing an air purifier
Room size
Most air purifiers specify their coverage area, so it’s wise to use your room size as the primary determinant when choosing one. For maximum efficiency and a noiseless experience, go for a model with a coverage that exceeds your room size.
Purifier type
Air purifiers come in an array of filter technologies, namely HEPA, activated carbon (AC), electrostatic, and ionising. As mentioned earlier, HEPA is considered the global gold standard in air purifying technologies, claiming to purify up to 99.97 per cent of air particles.
Room size
Most air purifiers specify their coverage area, so it’s wise to use your room size as the primary determinant when choosing one. For maximum efficiency and a noiseless experience, go for a model with a coverage that exceeds your room size.
Purifier type
Air purifiers come in an array of filter technologies, namely HEPA, activated carbon (AC), electrostatic, and ionising. As mentioned earlier, HEPA is considered the global gold standard in air purifying technologies, claiming to purify up to 99.97 per cent of air particles.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
CADR calculates the volume of air an air purifier can filter in one minute. Effectively, it is an indication of how quickly a purifier can function. The higher the rate, the better the capacity.
Air Change Per Hour (ACH)
ACH refers to the number of times the air in a room is processed and cleansed in an hour.
CADR calculates the volume of air an air purifier can filter in one minute. Effectively, it is an indication of how quickly a purifier can function. The higher the rate, the better the capacity.
Air Change Per Hour (ACH)
ACH refers to the number of times the air in a room is processed and cleansed in an hour.
Price
Like most other home technologies, air purifiers require regular maintenance. Expect to have to change the main filter yearly and the carbon filter every six months. Consider the filter replacement costs when you compare models and prices.
Noise levels
If your air purifier will find a home in your bedroom, you’ll likely want a silent experience when it’s on. It’s best to visit a showroom to try a product demo of your selection to check noise levels before you buy.
Like most other home technologies, air purifiers require regular maintenance. Expect to have to change the main filter yearly and the carbon filter every six months. Consider the filter replacement costs when you compare models and prices.
Noise levels
If your air purifier will find a home in your bedroom, you’ll likely want a silent experience when it’s on. It’s best to visit a showroom to try a product demo of your selection to check noise levels before you buy.
Maintenance
With an expensive buy comes the worry of affordable maintenance. While you may be advised to clean your device’s sensor every two months, and wash the pre-filter every month, your filters will have to be changed on a regular basis. Make sure to check the warranty and maintenance terms for your model.
Recognised brands are a safe bet when it comes to servicing and spare parts, vis-à-vis cut-price brands with questionable service policies.
Portability
The great thing about most air purifiers is they can be moved to wherever you need them. Unless you plan to invest in several units, pick a portable model with a handle, to be able to move your device from room to room swiftly and easily.
With an expensive buy comes the worry of affordable maintenance. While you may be advised to clean your device’s sensor every two months, and wash the pre-filter every month, your filters will have to be changed on a regular basis. Make sure to check the warranty and maintenance terms for your model.
Recognised brands are a safe bet when it comes to servicing and spare parts, vis-à-vis cut-price brands with questionable service policies.
Portability
The great thing about most air purifiers is they can be moved to wherever you need them. Unless you plan to invest in several units, pick a portable model with a handle, to be able to move your device from room to room swiftly and easily.
Brand
Fly-by-night brands that sell cheap can cost you far more in the long run in terms of maintenance, repairs and servicing. It’s a good idea to fork out a little extra now with a reputed brand and save your pennies in the future. Some brands to consider are Honeywell, Philips, Dyson, Panasonic, and Sharp.
Fly-by-night brands that sell cheap can cost you far more in the long run in terms of maintenance, repairs and servicing. It’s a good idea to fork out a little extra now with a reputed brand and save your pennies in the future. Some brands to consider are Honeywell, Philips, Dyson, Panasonic, and Sharp.
Additional features to consider
Fan
Air purifiers that come with a built-in fan work better than those that come without one (these rely on natural air circulation), although they might be slightly noisier.
Servicing indicator
A servicing indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean out or replace your clogged filter.
Timer
A timer can be useful if you want to programme your air purifier to turn off automatically after running for a preset period.
Fan
Air purifiers that come with a built-in fan work better than those that come without one (these rely on natural air circulation), although they might be slightly noisier.
Servicing indicator
A servicing indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean out or replace your clogged filter.
Timer
A timer can be useful if you want to programme your air purifier to turn off automatically after running for a preset period.
Speed modes
With various modes to suit the season, speed modes allow you to tweak your air purifying system in line with your needs.
Handle
A handle can be gold for moving your unit from room to room.
Remote control
With a remote control, conveniently change your air purifying setting from across the room.
Dirt sensor
A dirt sensor makes a unit more intelligent, allowing it to adjust its fan speed to the dirt or dust levels in the air.
With various modes to suit the season, speed modes allow you to tweak your air purifying system in line with your needs.
Handle
A handle can be gold for moving your unit from room to room.
Remote control
With a remote control, conveniently change your air purifying setting from across the room.
Dirt sensor
A dirt sensor makes a unit more intelligent, allowing it to adjust its fan speed to the dirt or dust levels in the air.
Washable pre-filter
A pre-filter that can be washed and reused can save you lots in the long run.
The National Environment Agency’s list of portable air cleaners with their CADR number can be found here.
Read more
Clear the Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Purifiers
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More Container Plants That Improve Indoor Air Quality
Tell us
Are you considering buying an air purifier? What are your shortlist criteria? Tell us in Comments below.
A pre-filter that can be washed and reused can save you lots in the long run.
The National Environment Agency’s list of portable air cleaners with their CADR number can be found here.
Read more
Clear the Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Purifiers
Container Plants That Improve Indoor Air Quality
More Container Plants That Improve Indoor Air Quality
Tell us
Are you considering buying an air purifier? What are your shortlist criteria? Tell us in Comments below.
Considering that the idea of an air purifier wasn’t even conceived of 20 years ago, what’s the need for it now? If that’s a question whirring in your head, consider this – air pollution causes up to 7 million premature deaths a year, according to a UN Environment Assembly report.