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Allergy Relief Air Purifier.com
No spin, just common sense!
A portion of our sales is proudly donated to our local Habitat for Humanity home builds.
Are you looking for air purifiers for mold? Maybe you are looking for a personal air purifier in your work place to address the odors of indoor pollution. How much should you spend? Should I just get one from the store?
You may wonder why there is so much confusion in the market of air purifiers. One word explains it all:
Marketing!
The confusion is by design. This makes it easier for you to be duped into buying whatever is being spun. This site was developed out of the frustration you feel when shopping for your personal air purifier. No spin!
Types of indoor air purifiers
Here are the basics about types of air purifiers:
1. Ionizers charge the particles then hope the filter catches them. If the filter does not catch them, the particles stick to you!
2. Ozonators make ozone to eliminate odors and gases. That is good when your not around to breathe the ozone. Ozone is a lung irritant, which adds to the indoor pollution.
3. Electrostatic filters are charged at the factory and then quickly lose their charge in use. These are generally low efficiency filters.
4. Ultra violet air purifiers kill viruses and bacteria but do nothing to eliminate the particles.
5. Filterless are also called precipitators and are similar to ionizers. They charge the particles and have plates to attract the charged particles. These produce ozone when they get dirty and need to be washed often.
6. Polarized Media induces a charge into the filter and turns it into a dust magnet. No bad side effects and very efficient. Low energy usage.
I have been in the indoor air quality business long enough to know that 99% of all the air cleaning systems being sold everyday are unreliable, expensive to install and maintain, less than effective and just plain junk!
Did you realize that none of the pleated filters at your corner hardware can filter more than 10% of the particles in your air? Even the ones called Allergen filters. Notice they can only filter down to 1 micron. A micron is one millionth of a meter. Nearly all of the particles smaller than 1 micron are your triggers and, according to the American Lung Association, do the most damage to your lungs.
Maybe you have not noticed that so many of the air purifiers look similar? Everyone is branding each others products! Natures Home has a polarized media filter called Micro-Power Guard, it is made by Dynamic then branded for Natures Home. One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning has also branded the Dynamic. Envirosept produces for the Cimatec brand. Electro Breeze produces the brands for: Aeriale, Electro-Filter, and Premier One. Nearly all of the portable room air purifiers are made in China, then branded for whoever wants to sell them. Branding is not bad, it just adds to the confusion.
What about reviews and endorsements?
Many of us think that endorsements and reviews are a sure source of confidence in spending. I assure you, all of those endorsements and reviews are bought and/or show preference for reasons other than better performance.
If you call the American Lung Association, they will tell you that 3M is a partner in their educational programs. That is where they get the ALA logo on all of their products. If you want to put that logo on your product, you have to wait in line for 3M to give it up and the starting price is $250,000.00.
Does this mean that 3M is the only filter producer that meets the ALA standards? No. It means 3M bought the rights first. If you look at the ALA Health House Standards (Guideline 4.13 of the HVAC guidelines at www.healthhouse.org), you will find that there is a myriad of filters that meet or exceed the standard. Only one gets the endorsement.
Consumer Reports does not review the best air purifiers, only the ones that the manufacturers submit for review. They do a fine job of reviewing, but you will never know how a Mercedes rides if only the U.S. manufacturers submit vehicles for review.
How can I know what I am buying?
Once again the consumer is left in the dark, wondering if they are spending their hard earned money on something they might have to take back or put up with.
I have boiled down the aspects of an air purifier to make it simple to shop for your next high value air cleaning system. You will hear salesmen say that your health is worth all the money you can afford. I have to agree. I enjoy living a healthy life and it is worth a lot to me, but you must be reasonable in your spending.
Air Purifier Basics
Yes, these basics apply to all air purification systems. Click here
Tips for shopping from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org
What is a HEPA filter?
A HEPA filter is a kind of mechanical filter that means it is a high-efficiency particulate air filter. HEPA was invented during World War II to prevent the escape of radioactive particles from laboratories. To qualify as a true HEPA filter, it must be able to capture at least 99.97% percent of all particles 0.3 microns in diameter, or larger, that enter it.
What Else Should I Consider Before Buying an Air Filtration System?
If your home is heated or air conditioned through ducts, it may be possible to build filters into your air handling system. This has the advantage of the great force with which air will pass through the filter. And it eliminates a space-consuming appliance and an additional sound in your home. On the other hand, the filters may be more expensive and more difficult to handle; and they may need to be changed more often. Consult your doctor and your heating service on this alternative to a portable system.
Questions to Ask Before Purchasing an Air Filter
1. What substances will the cleaner remove from the air in my home? What substances will it not?
2. What is the efficiency rating of the cleaner in relation to the true HEPA standard?
3. Will the unit clean the air in a room the size of my bedroom?
4. How easy/difficult is it to change the filter? (Ask for demonstration.) How often does it have to be changed? How much do filters cost? Are they readily available throughout the year?
5. How much noise does the unit make? Is it quiet enough to run while I sleep? (Turn it on and try it, even though you will probably be in a noisy place.)
How to shop for an air purifier
