| Ah....Taking a deep breath of fresh, clean-smelling | | | | does produce a small amount of ozone. One of |
| air is great. And, the cleaner the air is, the better | | | | the best examples of this type of air purifier is |
| for all. And while most of us recognize that | | | | the Friedrich C-90B because it also uses a strong |
| oftentimes the outside air contains pollutants from | | | | fan and a HEPA filter. |
| factories and plants, we may overlook the air in | | | | HEPA air purifiers: This type of air filter uses |
| our homes. But whether you live in a home that | | | | pleated High Efficiency Particle Arresting filters |
| was just built or a home that has been around | | | | that trap the particles. This is accomplished by |
| for decades, you will find that having an air purifier | | | | using a fan to pull the air through the filter. These |
| system installed will greatly improve how you feel. | | | | fans are often noisy, but some models are |
| There are 4 basic types of air purifiers, each with | | | | quieter than others. On the more positive side, |
| their own perks and quirks. They range in cost | | | | HEPA filters are touted as being the most |
| and ease of installation, so don't just go out and | | | | effective and they do not produce any ozone. |
| buy the first one you see. In addition, it should be | | | | UV purifiers: This type of air purifier works by |
| noted that there is no exact requirements to | | | | using ultra violet light to neutralize biological |
| grade these systems by. However, some basic | | | | contaminants. Many experts agree that UV light is |
| considerations are cost, maintenance | | | | effective in destroying microbes such as bacteria, |
| requirements, power requirements, level and | | | | dust mites and mold spores if given enough |
| source of pollution, room size, and unit efficiency. | | | | exposure time. However, units of this type should |
| Here are brief descriptions of each type of air | | | | be combined with a filter and fan to be most |
| purifiers, though it is not uncommon for an air | | | | effective. |
| cleaner unit to work through combining some of | | | | Ozone generators: There are some units that |
| the techniques. | | | | merely produce ozone and in actuality remove |
| Electronic ionizers: These air cleaners use an | | | | none of the allergens from the air. Large amounts |
| electronic process to reverse the charge of the | | | | of ozone will neutralize strong odors such as |
| particles in the air. They contain collection plates | | | | smoke odor, but according to the EPA this is |
| which work much like magnets that attract the | | | | dangerous for human health. This product gets |
| particles in the air, as well as from items in the | | | | around the EPA by not claiming to be a medical |
| room like clothing, walls, floors and furniture. In | | | | device; in addition, these types of air purifiers |
| order for the electronic air purifiers to best work, | | | | have been banned in the state of California by |
| you will need to dust and vacuum the room often. | | | | the Air Resources Board. |
| Also, keep in mind that this type of air cleaner | | | | |