| It's a great question. It's also is a fairly general | | | | what you pay for. In most cases I recommend |
| question. A simple, general answer is "yes." A | | | | the middle price level of $200-$800. After you |
| better answer is "it depends." A specific answer is | | | | decide on your price range, do some research. |
| a little trickier. I will give a three part answer in | | | | Compare at least three models from three |
| this article. First, I will define the word "work" | | | | different brands before you make a final decision. |
| from the question to help clarify the answer. | | | | For some people the question really is "how do I |
| Secondly, as with many things in life, all air | | | | know my air purifier is working?" For many of us, |
| purifiers are not created equal, so generalizing is | | | | answering this question is difficult. If you place a |
| problematic. And finally, a quick reality dose on | | | | decent air purifier in a polluted room you will notice |
| what to really expect from your air purifier. | | | | the difference over time. If you place a decent air |
| The word "work" needs clarification. All air purifiers | | | | purifier in an average room, you may or may not |
| do something. The worst of them do little more | | | | notice the difference. If you place a decent air |
| then consume electricity. The word work here | | | | purifier in a clean room, it will be hard to notice |
| should mean "clean the air." Again, this statement | | | | the difference. The reality is that we may or may |
| is a little general. Cleaning the air can be further | | | | not actually see or notice any difference even |
| defined as the ability of a given air purifier to | | | | though the purifier is doing a great job. My best |
| remove air pollutants such as particles, odors, | | | | advice is to make a list of everything you can |
| gases, volatile organic compounds, and | | | | think of relating to your current air situation. Make |
| microorganisms. A poor purifier at work would be | | | | the list before you buy the new air purifier. Your |
| one that removes almost nothing from the air. An | | | | list could include smells you notice, particles you |
| excellent purifier at work would remove almost all | | | | see, known contaminants you have, and how you |
| of the air pollutants from the air. Research what | | | | and your family feel. Then after you get your |
| your air purifier will remove and compare with | | | | new air purifier and run it for awhile, look back at |
| other brands to get additional validity. | | | | your list and see if any of the conditions have |
| There is a wide spectrum of consumer air | | | | improved. Improvements may be difficult to |
| purifiers available in the marketplace ranging in | | | | quantify, so make the list and look for small |
| price from under $20 to over $5000. Price is not | | | | changes. |
| the only factor that determines the ability of a | | | | The truth is air purifiers do work and a good air |
| given air purifier to clean the air, but it is a good | | | | purifier does clean the air. Do some research and |
| initial indicator. If you are only willing to spend | | | | compare enough models until you feel convinced |
| $20-$200 do not expect too much. These | | | | you are picking the right one. Do not be fooled by |
| purifiers generally will provide minimal cleaning. The | | | | good marketing and do not think that all air |
| $200-$800 range includes many good models, a | | | | purifiers are created equally. Do the right amount |
| few excellent models, and some fairly poor | | | | of research and you will get an air purifier that will |
| models. If you spend over $800, you are not | | | | serve you well for many years. |
| guaranteed a great cleaning, but generally you get | | | | |