| Air purification units have become important | | | | react with the pollutants as they are carried |
| appliances to homeowners who are interested in | | | | through the filter. |
| having the healthiest indoor environment possible. | | | | This process causes the contaminants to bond |
| In the category of air purifiers, there are five | | | | with the carbon in this chemical reaction, trapping |
| primary types of cleaners you will find available on | | | | them and eliminating them from the atmosphere. |
| the market. | | | | Because carbon room air purifiers can't trap |
| These are: HEPA air purifiers, ionic air cleaners, | | | | allergens and bacteria, they are commonly |
| carbon-filter air cleaners, ozone purifiers and UV | | | | combined with the HEPA's brand. |
| (or ultraviolet) light purifiers. | | | | An ozone air purifier is able to eliminate odors, |
| HEPA's ones are the most common type and are | | | | smoke and gases, but does not trap the |
| well suited for trapping allergens. The designation | | | | particulates and allergens in the air. Ozone purifiers |
| HEPA, is defined as a filter that is able to contain | | | | are capable of eliminating deep, problematic odors, |
| particles as small as 0.3 microns and will catch at | | | | such as pet urine from carpeting, and the ozone |
| least 99.97% of pollutants as small as that. | | | | can destroy mold and kill bacteria. |
| HEPA purification systems are commonly seen in | | | | Ozone is somewhat controversial for home use |
| hospital settings. They have filters which must be | | | | and some experts recommend that those with |
| replaced regularly, normally about twice per year, | | | | asthma should use caution around ozone. Some of |
| although some filters can go several years | | | | them on the market combine the ozone |
| between replacements. | | | | purification with the ionic air purification. The |
| Their brands are not effective for the removal of | | | | combination of these two methods results in a |
| cigarette smoke, fumes, gases or odors, and for | | | | high-tech way to eliminate odors, smoke, gases |
| this reason sometimes a carbon filter is also | | | | and also airborne particulate matter. |
| combined in their purifiers. | | | | Ultraviolet light air purifier systems are able to |
| Ionic air purification devices can remove the | | | | destroy bacteria, but they are not capable of |
| smallest of particles from the air and are | | | | removing allergens, fumes, smoke or odors form |
| effective even in large enclosed spaces. Ionic | | | | the air. |
| purifiers are also known as electronic air cleaners. | | | | UV air purifier units treat the air with an ultraviolet |
| These electronic purifiers charge the air with a | | | | light as it moves through the purifier, killing germs, |
| blast of positive energy which also charges the | | | | viruses and bacteria as soon as they are exposed |
| particles positively. The particles then get drawn | | | | to the UV light. |
| into the device, attracted by the negatively | | | | This purification method is also often combined |
| charged collection plates. This process allows for a | | | | with HEPA filters in the same unit to trap the |
| virtually silent operation, as a fan is not required. | | | | particulate material in the air as well. |
| Ionic air cleaners are also well suited to remove | | | | The ionic air purifying units might be the most |
| particulates in the air, but they use no filters. | | | | heard about nowadays, but the best one for you |
| Instead, the charged particles adhere to the | | | | and your family will be dependent on the specifics |
| collection blades, which can then be easily wiped | | | | of your home environment and family concerns. |
| down to clean them of the captured | | | | So far, no single purification approach can solve all |
| contaminates. | | | | the air quality needs for a home. Choose the |
| Activated carbon purifiers are most effective for | | | | machine that best addresses the areas that are |
| removing odors, smoke, gases and chemical | | | | troublesome to your family and take time to |
| residue from the air. These brand of filters have | | | | research your different options. |
| tiny pores that are able to absorb and chemically | | | | |