Do Air Purifiers Really Work?

Home air purification systems have recently become a popular product for anyone looking to clean up the air quality within their home. But do air purifiers really work?

In short, yes. However, different air purification systems have different levels of effectiveness. Some are extremely useful to purify your home’s air; others provide only minor benefits.

Here is a quick overview of air purifiers, the various models available on the market, and a guide to their effectiveness in purifying home air.  

Air Purifiers: A Quick Overview

Most air purifiers work by suctioning off indoor air, purifying it, and then siphoning it back out into the room or throughout the house. There are various ways that air purifiers purify the air:

• Ultraviolet light
• Various types of filters
• Ionic air
• Central air cleaners
• Air-to-air exchangers

While each of these systems have their own benefits for cleaning the air in your home, units that are installed into your home’s heating and ventilation system are generally more effective at purifying air quality throughout the home.

Read on for a quick description of the best types of air purifiers and their effectiveness.

Types of Air Purifiers

When purchasing an air purifier for your home, you typically have two broad options: a standalone machine that will purify the air in a given room or an installed home air purification system that fits into your central heating and ventilation system.

Standalone Air Purifiers

There are a lot of standalone systems that can be purchased for a reasonable price. Some of the most common types include:

1. UV Light Purifiers – These systems funnel air through ultraviolet lights that kill off bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens floating in the air. They are typically the smallest form of air purifier and range from $50 to $500.
2. Activated Carbon – Most effective against smoke and gases, these systems use a combination of activated carbon and HEPA filters to trap air and clean it and can be purchased for around $100 or more.
3. Ionic Air – Different from other systems, ionic air purifiers silently shoot out negatively charged ions into the air which bind to particles responsible for low air quality and eliminate them. They can typically be purchased on the cheap, but some systems cost upwards of $300.
4. HEPA Filtered – Likely the most straightforward model, HEPA air purifiers utilize filters to trap particles and clean the air. These systems are the cheapest type of purifier on the market and have a marginal benefit against smaller air particles.

Each of these systems provide some benefit towards purifying the air, but only do so within the room they are placed. For purifying your entire home, you will require a more comprehensive system that works with your entire heating and ventilation unit.

Central Air Purifiers

If you want to ensure that the quality of your air is pure throughout your home, you can opt to go with a system that is installed into your central HVAC.

Companies like Simpson Sheet Metal can guide you through the process of installing these comprehensive systems, which are supremely effective at purifying air.

2. Central Air Systems – These systems are installed directly into the central heating and cooling structure in your home. They not only improve the air quality throughout the home, but also make your HVAC system work more efficiently and require service less often.
3. Exchangers – An air-to-air exchanger actually recycles the air in your home by constantly bringing in fresh air from outside. These systems are also connected to your central HVAC system and are effective at cleaning the air in your home without a complex filtering process.
4. Electronic Cleaners – These systems are typically installed into your air conditioner or furnace and clean the air through HEPA filters and electric static.

All three of these systems can be extremely effective at improving air quality throughout the home, with central air systems having the highest efficacy.

Do Air Purifiers Really Work?

Yes, air purifiers do really work! Standalone systems can remove up to 99% of harmful particles in a given room, while centralized air purifiers can do the same throughout your entire home.

What types of harmful particles can be eliminated by installing an air purifier?

• Gases
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Smoke
• Odor
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Various other harmful germs and particles
•  

Of course, with air purifiers you will likely get what you pay for—making it crucial to do your research prior to settling on a type of purifier.

Purifier Your Home with Simpson Sheet Metal

If you are asking yourself, “Air purifiers, do they work?” you’ve come to the right place! Simpson Sheet Metal is Central California’s go-to provider of air purification systems.

Get in touch with one of our friendly technicians and they can guide you through the process of cleaning the air in your home, keeping you and your family safe against harmful air particles.

For great service, reach out to the experts at Simpson Sheet Metal and purify your home’s air today!

Sources:

Healthline. Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?

https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/do-air-purifiers-work

Rothman, Rachel. Do Air Purifiers Really Work? https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/air-purifier-reviews/a25252001/do-air-purifiers-work/

Welter, Rick. The Pros and Cons of the 7 Different Types of Air Purifiers. https://welterheating.com/5-types-air-purifiers/