Do you know that indoor air can be more polluted than outside air? Indoor air pollution can cause various health problems, such as allergies, asthma, headaches, fatigue and even cancer. That is why you need an air cleaner to filter out harmful particles and improve your indoor air quality.
See also: Pick the best water purifier for your home
What is an air cleaner?
An air cleaner is a device that removes contaminants from the air, such as dust, pollen, smoke, mold, bacteria, viruses and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air cleaners can be portable or installed in the central heating or cooling system of a building. They can use different air filter methods like mechanical, electrostatic or ultraviolet (UV) filters.
How does an air cleaner work?
An air cleaner draws in the air through a fan and passes it through one or more filters. The filters trap the pollutants and release the clean air into the room. Some air cleaners also have additional features, such as ionizers, humidifiers or deodorizers, to enhance the air quality.
Why do you need an air cleaner?
An air cleaner can help you improve your indoor air quality and protect your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Some of the sources of indoor air pollution are:
- Cooking and heating appliances that produce smoke, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other gases.
- Household and personal care products emitting VOCs, such as paints, cleaners, aerosols, perfumes and cosmetics.
- Pets and pests that shed dander, hair, fur, feathers and droppings.
- Mold and mildew that grow in damp areas and release spores.
- Tobacco smoke that contains thousands of chemicals and carcinogens.
- Radon gas that seeps from the soil and rocks into the building.
- Outdoor pollutants that enter through windows, doors, vents and cracks.
These pollutants can cause various health effects, including
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin.
- Respiratory problems include coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Allergic reactions include sneezing, runny nose, itching and hives.
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
- Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, lung cancer and stroke.
An air cleaner can help you reduce these risks by removing most of the pollutants from the air. Studies have shown that using an air cleaner can improve the symptoms of asthma and allergy sufferers. An air cleaner can also make your home or office more comfortable and pleasant by eliminating odours and improving humidity.
How do you choose the best air cleaner for your home or office?
There are many types and models of air cleaners available on the market. To choose the best one for your needs, you should consider the following factors:
- Size: The air cleaner’s size should match the room where you want to use it. You can measure the area of the room in square feet or meters and look for an air cleaner with a suitable coverage range. For example, if your room is 300 square foot (28 square metre), you should look for an air cleaner that can cover at least 300 sqft (28 sqm).
- Efficiency: The efficiency of the air cleaner refers to how well it can remove pollutants from the air. You can check the efficiency rating of the air cleaner by looking at its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) or its High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. The CADR measures how much clean air an air cleaner can deliver per minute. The higher the CADR number for each pollutant (dust, pollen, and smoke), the better the air cleaner’s performance.
(The HEPA filter is a mechanical filter that can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. HEPA filters are considered the gold standard for air filtration because they can remove the most common allergens and pathogens from the air.)
Features of an air cleaner
The air cleaner’s features depend on your preferences and needs. Some of the features that you may want to look for are:
- Noise level: Some air cleaners can be noisy when operating at high speeds. Choose an air cleaner with a quiet or sleep mode for night use.
- Energy consumption: Some air cleaners can consume much energy running at high speeds or for long periods. You may choose an air cleaner with an Energy Star rating or a timer function to save electricity and money.
- Maintenance: Some air cleaners require regular filter cleaning or replacement to maintain efficiency and performance. You may choose an air cleaner with a filter indicator or a washable filter to make maintenance more accessible and cheaper.
Additional functions of air cleaners
Some air cleaners have additional tasks to enhance the air quality or the user experience. For example, some air cleaners have ionizers, UV lights or aromatherapy functions that can produce negative ions, kill germs or add fragrance. However, some of these functions may also have drawbacks, such as producing ozone, a harmful gas or causing allergic reactions. You should check the safety and effectiveness of these functions before buying an air cleaner with them.
Best brands of air cleaner
There are many brands of air cleaners available on the market. A few of the reliable ones are:
- Philips: Philips is a well-known brand offering various air cleaners with different features and prices. Some of their popular models are the Philips AC2887/20, which has a CADR of 333 m3/h and a HEPA filter and the Philips AC1215/20, which has a CADR of 270 m3/h and a NanoProtect filter.
- Mi: Mi is a Chinese brand that offers affordable and intelligent air cleaners with high efficiency and performance. Some of their popular models are the Mi Air Purifier 3, which has a CADR of 380 m3/h and an OLED display, and the Mi Air Purifier 2C, which has a CADR of 350 m3/h and a dual filtration system.
- Dyson: Dyson is a British brand that offers premium and innovative air cleaners with multiple functions and designs. Some of their popular models are the Dyson Pure Cool TP04, which has a CADR of 360 m3/h and a bladeless fan, and the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool HP04, which has a CADR of 310 m3/h and a heater.
Cost of air cleaners
The cost of air cleaners in India varies depending on the brand, model, features, and availability. Generally, the price range is from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. You can compare the prices of different air cleaners online or offline before buying one.
Choosing the best air cleaner for your home or office can be challenging, but it can also improve your health and comfort. Before deciding, consider the air cleaner’s size, efficiency, features, brands and cost. You should check the user manual and follow the safety precautions when using the air cleaner.
FAQs
What is an air cleaner?
An air cleaner is a device that removes pollutants from the indoor air.
What are the benefits of using an air cleaner?
An air cleaner can improve indoor air quality by reducing allergens, dust, smoke, odours, bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances.
What are the types of air cleaners?
Air cleaners are mainly of two types: mechanical filters and electronic filters. Mechanical filters use physical barriers to trap particles in the air. Electronic filters use electric fields to charge and capture particles in the air.
What is CADR?
CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It measures how much clean air an air cleaner can deliver per minute for each pollutant (dust, pollen and smoke).
What is HEPA?
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. It is a mechanical filter that can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
How do I choose the right size of an air cleaner?
You should choose an air cleaner that matches the size of your room. You can measure the area of your room in square foot or metre and look for an air cleaner with a suitable coverage range.
How do I maintain my air cleaner?
You should regularly clean or replace your filters according to the manufacturer's instructions. You should also check for any signs of damage or malfunction in your air cleaner.
How do I use my air cleaner safely?
You should follow the user manual and safety precautions when using your air cleaner. Avoid placing your air cleaner near heat sources, moisture, or flammable materials.
How do I know if my air cleaner is working correctly?
You can check the indicators or displays on your air cleaner to monitor
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
