Air Purifier 101: What Does it Do? Does it work?

Blog / Residential Air Conditioner System

Does the concept of an air purifier puzzle you? Are you dubious whether they actually make a difference and work effectively? We break down the facts about air purifiers and what they can or cannot do for you.

Air Purifier 101: Breaking Down the Facts for You

What is an Air Purifier?

An air purifier is effectively an appliance using electricity that is used in buildings to improve the overall indoor air quality.

With the increasing concerns over air quality and what it means to us as human beings, in particular in reference to lockdown and the indoor air we’ve been inhaling, the popularity of air purifiers is on the rise. But what purpose do they really serve? And do they really make a difference when it comes to purifying the air you are inhaling every day?

In a nutshell, yes, they do make a difference. However, there are a couple of things to consider when browsing for the right one.

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

Air purifiers work by omitting pollutants, toxins, and allergens from the air. It effectively sanitises the air to make it purer for you to breathe in. Air humidifiers, on the other hand, adds particles to the air. But what do air filters do then, you may ask? Well, they simply filter the air. Whereas air purifiers filter and purify the air.

Air purifiers takes the air in an indoor space and then passes it through a number of filters, whereafter it is sent back into the room and recycled through a vent as purified air.

But what you have to keep in mind is that an air purifier won’t necessarily remove all the bad toxins from the air. This is because these nasty toxins can stick to other surfaces such as carpets or even your walls, which the air purifier is then unable to pick up and purify.

What Is an Air Purifier Supposed to Help For?

One of the main reasons people might look at buying an air purifier for their homes or office is to help ease the effects of their asthma or allergies. Air purifiers omit some of the pollutants that can aggregate these conditions. In the same breath, it can also help to decrease the chances of someone developing asthma or allergic reactions due to the allergens in the air they are inhaling daily.

Does an Air Purifier Work?

In short, yes, they do serve a purpose. However, if you want optimal results then it’s best to use it in conjunction with an air filter.

We spend majority of our lives inside of buildings – whether it’s your home, office, or favourite restaurant. And because of different seasons we are constantly trying to either retain heat indoors or cool it down with the use of an air conditioner. Because of this, air pollutants can build up indoors.

Some of the most common air pollutants include tobacco, pollen, mould, animal hair shed from your furry friends, as well as general house dust. This can further aggravate allergies and asthma in individuals who have prolonged exposure.

Air purifiers definitely lessen the effect these pollutants have on you. However, they do require regular replacements in order to ensure that they keep on doing what they’re supposed to. So, when you are considering investing in an air purifier, you should also keep the running costs in mind.

Will an Air Purifier Help with Mould?

If your main issue is mould, it’s best to explore using the dry mode of your AC or invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier to ensure that the moisture levels are right and won’t cause the mould to spread. An air purifier won’t eliminate the cause of the mould, which is the moisture indoors that is making it grow.

Here is how to spot if you are dealing with mould and how to clean it.

Do Every Room Need an Air Purifier?

If you are interested in purifying your entire house, you might want to consider a larger system. However, if you would like to focus on specific areas, you can place small, portable ones in the various rooms, as necessary.

Where Should I Place My Air Purifier?

Surely this is self-explanatory? Yes, it is! Your air purifier should be placed next to the source of what you are trying to purify. So, if your smoking area is near a certain entrance or if your pet sleeps near a certain room, you might want to get that purifier nice up and close to the source of the pollutants. Makes sense, right?

But what a lot of people don’t take into consideration is the space. You should not place your air purifier in a corner or hidden behind the couch. Give your purifier some space to breathe! It needs to be able to have enough space and ventilation around it to work properly.

What Else Can I Do to Purify Indoor Air?

  1. Air Out Your Building: Whether it’s your office or home, regularly opening up the windows to allow for some ventilation is ideal. Even better, open windows on opposite sides of the room to create a good draft.
  2. Clean your filter and air conditioner on a regular basis. If aren’t sure how to do it, book an air conditioning service with a professional.
  3. Exhaust Fans in Bathroom, Laundry and Kitchen: Use these while you are utilising the area to avoid pollens from settling.
  4. Vacuum Frequently – Especially if You Have Furry Friends: An air purifier won’t be able to remove the pollens that have settled in your couches, curtains, or carpets. That’s why regularly vacuuming these surfaces is the best solution.
  5. Bathe and Brush Your Fur Babies: We all love our pets, but they can shed a lot of hair – especially in certain seasons. Ensure that you keep them clean and trimmed to minimise the hair.
  6. Replace carpets: Ditch the dust-trap carpets and opt for tiles or vinyl surfaces instead. They don’t trap pollutants as well and can be cleaned easily.

Taking Care of All Your Air Needs

At All Air Services, we believe that, although we want to feel cool in summer and cosy in winter, the air quality we are inhaling should be top priority. Always ensure that your air conditioning units are up to standard and regularly maintained. Contact us today for all your air conditioning needs.

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