| Since air filters are one of the bests tools for | | | | Electronic Filters - Of the different types of |
| eradicating allergens from your home, more | | | | electronic filters, the most effective at trapping |
| people are using them than ever before. The trick | | | | allergens is the style which uses electrostatic |
| is to find the one that works best for you, | | | | precipitators with a fan. In the case of electronic |
| depending upon your specific needs. Before going | | | | filters, electric charges are used to attract and |
| shopping, arm yourself with some facts, so that | | | | trap allergens and other contaminants. Strive to |
| you'll be more prepared to choose an air filter, | | | | find one that includes collecting plates so that the |
| rather than listening to various sales pitches from | | | | particles are trapped within the unit. Otherwise, |
| merchants who are interested in making a quick | | | | you'll end up having to clean all of the surfaces |
| buck. Of the five major types of air filters, here's | | | | within the home, because the allergens will stick to |
| a quick look at four of them - one type (the | | | | them. In the case of self-contained units that |
| ozone air filter) is not environmentally friendly, and | | | | include plates, they'll also need to be cleaned, but |
| consumers are not encouraged to purchase filters | | | | this is a much smaller task than cleaning all of the |
| of this type. | | | | surfaces of the home's interior. |
| Mechanical Filters - One of the best types of | | | | Hybrid Filters - Simply put, these air filters offer a |
| mechanical filters is the HEPA filter, which forces | | | | combination of those characteristics which are |
| air through a special screen that traps allergens | | | | found in both electrostatic and mechanical filters. |
| such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander. If there | | | | These may be preferred by those with allergens |
| are any smokers in the house, a HEPA filtered | | | | other than gas based contaminants, but offer |
| device will also trap smoke and other airborne | | | | trapping devices for containing allergens. |
| irritants. Those devices which are unable to trap | | | | In addition to knowing the types of air filters, you'll |
| at least 90% of these particles are ineligible to | | | | also need to consider things such as which types |
| qualify as a HEPA filtering device. When shopping | | | | of contaminants will be removed from the air; the |
| for mechanical filters of this type, be sure that | | | | efficiency of the filter when compared to HEPA |
| they truly meet HEPA filtering standards, and that | | | | standards; whether the size of the air filter |
| you're not purchasing a cheap imitation that will | | | | system will be large enough to continuously clean |
| offer substandard performance. | | | | the allotted space at least every six minutes; the |
| Gas Phase Filters - This type of air filter is not | | | | clean air delivery rate of the filter; whether the |
| used for the removal of allergens in the home, | | | | unit is silent or noisy; and how easy or difficult it |
| but rather for removing odors and other types of | | | | may be to change the filter, when necessary. |
| pollutants, such as gasses from perfume, cooking, | | | | When you approach the purchasing of an air filter |
| paint or building materials. In a home that needs to | | | | system with this information in mind, you'll be far |
| eliminate allergies which are triggered by exposure | | | | more likely to come home with the one that can |
| to certain odors, this would be sufficient, rather | | | | adequately clean your home's interior with little or |
| than the HEPA filter, which is designed to remove | | | | no fuss while eliminating the right types of |
| absolute allergens that are not gas based. | | | | contaminants that plague your family. |