| Are you in the market for an air purifier? Do you | | | | the body of the air purifier. The metal plate and |
| know what to look for? Should you buy based on | | | | grids inside will need to be cleaned regularly or will |
| price alone, or are there other features you | | | | lose their effectiveness. This type of air purifier |
| should compare before purchasing? What are | | | | does not filter odors or chemical gasses. |
| these other features? So many questions. Don't | | | | If you're going to buy an air purifier, I would |
| panic. Step-by-step you will arrive at a conclusion. | | | | recommend getting the product that removes |
| The first step in buying an air purifier is to do | | | | the highest percentage of impurities. Depending on |
| your research. What options are available? You | | | | the air purifier, between 50% and 99.8% of air |
| can, of course, go from store to store checking | | | | impurities will be removed. |
| out all the various purifiers available in your area. If | | | | Another consideration is where you are planning |
| you've got the time and the inclination for this, go | | | | to use this appliance? Is it to get rid of pet odors |
| for it. If you're like me, on the other hand, | | | | or cigarette smoke? Is it going to be used in your |
| research online. I like to find out what the | | | | family room or a small bedroom? All of these |
| manufacturer says, what an independent | | | | factors need to be taken into consideration when |
| consumer organization says and what actual | | | | choosing your air purifier. Be sure to look at the |
| consumers say about the product. In the end, | | | | square footage on the box, as it varies from |
| though, you will make your own decision based on | | | | product to product. To calculate the square |
| your own specific needs. | | | | footage of a room, multiply the length of one wall |
| Let's talk about options. | | | | by the length of the connecting wall (assuming |
| Should you get filterless or filtered? No idea what | | | | your room is square or rectangular). |
| the difference even is? Here is a very basic | | | | How much would you like to spend? Air purifier |
| rundown. If you need more detailed information, | | | | costs range from $100 up. I have seen portable |
| please do a search and you will find enough | | | | air purifiers for nearly $900! The price on the price |
| reading material to make you an expert on the | | | | tag isn't the only cost to take into consideration |
| subject! | | | | when making your purchase. If you choose a |
| HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air filters were | | | | HEPA filtered product, you need to add the cost |
| originally used to catch radioactive particles during | | | | of replacement filters to the cost on the tag. |
| World War II. HEPA filters, usually containing | | | | Some replacement filters can cost upwards of |
| charcoal, are placed in front of the fan (upwind), | | | | $75. Wattage and energy efficiency will also |
| catching particulates as the air passes through the | | | | impact your bottom line. Check the length of |
| filter. Today's HEPA filters often catch as much as | | | | warranty, as well. If the warranty is only 90 days, |
| 99.97% of air contaminants no bigger than a third | | | | you may be shopping for a replacement sooner |
| the width of a human hair. This includes things like | | | | than you'd like. |
| dust, pet dander and gasses released from | | | | Once you've figured out which options are |
| cleaning products. | | | | important and narrowed your choices down to |
| Ionic filterless air purifiers generally work by | | | | two or three different models, your next step is |
| charging the air with negative ions causing them | | | | to check and see what an independent consumer |
| to fall to the floor, your couch, curtains or | | | | organization, such as Consumer Reports, has to |
| countertop. You then have to wipe them up to | | | | say about each of them. Following this, visit a site |
| get rid of the pollution entirely. They do not filter | | | | like and find out what consumers who actually use |
| odors or gasses from chemicals. Filterless are | | | | the product have to say about it. Pay particular |
| often quieter than machines with filters. | | | | attention to what consumers say about the noise |
| Electrostatic air purifiers are another type of | | | | of the machine. If you're using the air purifier in |
| filterless. This model charges the air particles after | | | | your bedroom, you will want to be sure to pick a |
| which the impurities collect on a metal plate inside | | | | quiet model (or invest in some earplugs). |