| 1. Do I really need an air purifier in my home? | | | | particulate in the air. One micron is |
| It depends on several factors, including your own | | | | 1/25,400 inch (roughly 100 times smaller than a |
| comfort level and what theindoor air quality is in | | | | single strand of hair). |
| your home. There are several factors to take | | | | Obviously, a micron is far too small to be seen. |
| intoconsideration, however. | | | | For the purpose of choosing anair purifier, most |
| First and foremost, many health organizations | | | | types are considered very efficient if they can |
| agree that indoor air qualityis often worse than | | | | filterairborne pollutants to .3 microns. |
| outdoor air quality. In fact, for many people, | | | | 7. How much should I pay for an air purifier? |
| indoorallergens and irritants such as dust, smoke | | | | It's very hard to determine what you should |
| and pet dander may be two to fivetimes as bad | | | | spend on an air purifier, becauseprice doesn't |
| in their homes as outdoors! | | | | always guarantee quality. Doubtless you should be |
| There are several indications that you may | | | | willing to spendenough to get a high-quality |
| benefit from an air purifier inyour home. Reasons | | | | product, but protect your investment by making |
| to get an air purifier include: | | | | sureyour air purifier comes with a warranty. |
| - Allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes | | | | When buying an air purifier, also take into account |
| and runny nose | | | | the cost of any replacementfilters and the |
| - Itchy, dry skin or frequent skin rashes | | | | electricity to run the unit. |
| - Asthma or other breathing problems | | | | 8. Will an air purifier be noisy? |
| - Being or living with a smoker | | | | An air purifier with a fan in it will have some noise. |
| - Owning indoor pets | | | | HEPA filters, forinstance, have fans to pull the air |
| - Mold or mildew in your home 2. Do all air | | | | through the filter itself, although improvedcasings |
| purifiers clean the same kinds of pollutants from | | | | and quieter fans have been developed for noise |
| the air? | | | | reduction. |
| No. Although all air cleaners clean certain | | | | Ionic and ozone units don't usually have a fan |
| particulates from the air, there aredifferences in | | | | because they use an electrostaticcharge or |
| what and how they clean. Some remove dust | | | | ozone, so they are completely silent. If they |
| and particulates suchas pet dander and smoke | | | | combine their technologywith a filtration system |
| very effectively, while others will actually | | | | or a fan to boost air circulation over the |
| eliminatebacteria, viruses and molds and mildew. | | | | plates,their will be some sound, but this will be |
| But very few will do all of thesethings, so be sure | | | | minimal and these fans may be shutoff when you |
| to read the article Understanding Air Purifiers for a | | | | wish. |
| moredetailed outline of what each type can and | | | | In general, the noise level of even an air purifier |
| can't do to improve the air qualityin your home. | | | | with a fan is low enoughthat it isn't intrusive. |
| 3. How do I know what size air purifier to get for | | | | 9. What rooms should I put an air purifier in? |
| my home? | | | | The rooms you use the most are the most |
| Actually, most air purifiers are designed for | | | | important rooms for air purifier use. |
| individual room use rather thanfor the whole | | | | Your living area, such as a family room or den, |
| home. Unless you have an air purifier or air | | | | should have an air cleaner,especially if you have |
| filtration systemthat has been installed on your | | | | allergies or pets that are in the room regularly, or |
| heating or air conditioning unit, you should | | | | ifanyone in the household smokes. |
| getseparate units for each room or living space. | | | | Bedrooms are also a good idea, since allergies and |
| The reason you need separate units for each | | | | irritants can disturb oursleep. Clean, fresh air has |
| room is because effectiveness isaffected by air | | | | been proven to produce more restful sleep and |
| flow, and walls mean no air circulation. Each room | | | | reducenight breathing problems while sleeping such |
| will need itsown unit. | | | | as stuffiness, post-nasal drip andnight coughing. |
| To determine what size you need, look for the | | | | Finally, consider getting an air purifier in the |
| CADR number. This number indicatesthe Clean Air | | | | bathroom, where odors, mold andmildew are |
| Delivery Rate, which should always equal at least | | | | prone to linger. An air cleaner in here can not only |
| 2/3 the totalsquare footage of the room you will | | | | make it fresherand more pleasant, but reduce the |
| be using the air purifier in. For example, a | | | | amount of mold and mildew in the air so thatyour |
| 10' X 12' room has 120' square feet, and needs a | | | | bathroom will be less of a breeding ground for |
| purifier with a CADR number ofat least 80. | | | | germs. |
| 4. What is Ozone and is it safe for indoors? | | | | 10. Where in each room should my air purifier be |
| Ozone is a tasteless, colorless gas made up of | | | | located? |
| three oxygen atoms. It can befound in the upper | | | | For any air purifier, it is most important to locate |
| atmosphere and is naturally produced by | | | | it near the most activityor traffic flow so that |
| thunderstorms duringelectric discharge. | | | | there is plenty of air circulation around the airfilter. |
| It is perfectly safe indoors if kept at acceptable | | | | This will increase the air exchange rate and make |
| levels (between .02 and .05parts per million), just | | | | the air cleaning moreefficient. |
| like many other type of naturally occurring gasses | | | | With a HEPA filter, it is best to locate it near an |
| thataren't harmful to us at certain levels. Ozone | | | | open area to ensure airmovement all around. For |
| air purifiers have been developedto produce the | | | | an ozone air purifier, you should try to locate |
| correct amount of ozone to purify the air without | | | | unithigher rather than lower, since ozone |
| reachingharmful levels. | | | | molecules are heavier than oxygen and willtend to |
| 5. How often will I need to change or clean the | | | | drift downward. The same logic applies to ionic air |
| filter in my air purifier? | | | | purifiers, whichrelease charged particles into the |
| It depends on several factors, including how large | | | | air. |
| the room is and what type andsize of air purifier | | | | If your air purifier unit is relatively portable and |
| you have. Some will need to be changed or | | | | you have someone in theroom who is a heavy |
| cleaned monthly,others more often. | | | | smoker, move the air purifier a bit closer to him |
| It is very important to check your filter regularly | | | | or her ifthis is practical (and if it won't mortally |
| and follow the recommendedschedule the | | | | offend them!). You may also want, onoccasion, to |
| manufacturer suggests, since the efficiency of | | | | move the air purifier to a specific room when you |
| the air purifierrelies on proper maintenance. | | | | have a particularodor to get rid of (you burned |
| 6. What exactly is a Micron? | | | | dinner, etc.). |
| A micron is a measurement of the size of a | | | | |