It is hard to believe but the indoor air quality of our homes, even energy efficient ones, is often far more polluted and unhealthy than the air outside, making room air cleaners a necessity.
Although central air cleaners effectively remove many particles they only remove ones that reach the return-air registers. When you sit or walk for example, you disturb many polluted particles but because they are often larger, they settle back before they reach the register.
That is one of the many reasons, air cleaners are necessary in today's homes and offices. They are especially beneficial to people suffering from respiratory problems such as allergies and asthma and remove pet dander, smoke, mold spores, dust and other airborne impurities.
There are many types of room air cleaners on the market and this can be confusing when you are shopping for an air cleaner. A great way to compare room cleaners is their CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers test and rate their effectiveness, which they list on the package of tested units.
There are three numbers ranging from fifty or less for small units to over three hundred for effective large units. Figure out the square feet of the room you want an air cleaner for and two thirds of the square footage is the minimum CADR size you need to clean that room.
Two of the most popular and effective room air cleaners are electronic electrostatic models and Hepa or High Efficiency Particulate Air models.
Electronic air cleaners are very effective for removing smoke and other minute particles from the air. They work by charging harmful airborne particles, which the collector plates attract because they are oppositely charged.
Simply wash the collection plates in the dishwasher or in a sink full of water, monthly. They are inexpensive to run as they use very little electricity. The Hepa air cleaners capture over 95 percent of air pollutants with some as tiny as 0.3 micrometers.
Most room units use a three-stage filtration system, which is an activated carbon filter, a pre-filter and then a Hepa filter. This removes almost all the unhealthy airborne particles, such as pollen, bacteria, dust, pet dander, mold spores and smoke.
Hepa are one of the most popular air cleaners partly due to the fact they do not emit any secondary byproducts or pollutants, such as ozone.
Air cleaners are available in several makes, models, sizes and types so become as knowledgeable as possible before shopping. This way the experience does not overwhelm you.
Purchasing the perfect room air cleaners for your home will have you and your family breathing healthy air in no time.