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Air Purifier Buying Guide
Electric air purifiers have become a common sight in many homes over the last 10 years. People who own air purifiers swear by their efficiency and the benefits they reap from their use. If you have certain kinds of allergies and live in a newer home, an air purifier may be a smart investment for your comfort and health. Pronto’s Buying Guide takes the guesswork out of choosing one so everyone’s breathing easier.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Have realistic expectations
Air purifiers can assist in removing dust, smoke, pollen, and animal dander from the air, but they’re no substitute for regular cleaning and eliminating the source of irritants.
Choose the right air purifier for the job
HEPA air purifiers are best at cleaning pollen, dust, and animal dander. Ionic air purifiers are best for removing smoke but produce small amounts of ozone. Ozone emitters neutralize strong odors but can produce dangerous levels of ozone. UV air purifiers kill microbes and bacteria, but they do not remove airborne irritants.
Calculate the lifetime cost of ownership
When comparing air purifiers, include the cost and frequency of filter replacement over a period of three to five years.
Match output to room size
Find the square footage of the room where you will use the air purifier by multiplying the room’s length by its width. Multiply the CADR rating for smoke by 1.55 to determine an air purifier’s output. For the best results, choose an air purifier rated for a larger space than the actual room size.
Beware of endorsements
Compare air purifiers based on ratings from independent organizations, such as the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Don’t be swayed by seals of approval or endorsements from advocacy groups.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
Although it carries a high price tag ($650+), the IQAir HealthPro Air Purifier also delivers superior filtration. This HEPA filter air purifier can clean out particles smaller than .3 microns, making it an excellent choice for those with severe allergies. Approved for use in some hospitals, this air purifier can handle a 900 square-foot space and features a built-in filter change alert and a five-year warranty.
experts say
About—“This Holmes Harmony HEPA Tower HAP422-U Air Purifier works quietly and efficiently to filter airborne particles, deodorizes the air, and it blends well with any decor… Reasonably priced and good performance makes this purifier a good buy.” Source: Mariette Mifflin, About.com
Reviewboard—“…for the second year in a row I am going to have to give the 2005 Editor's Choice Award for best air filtration device to IQAir's Health Pro Plus Air Purifier System. It is truly amazing.” Source: Reviewboard Magazine
Consumer Guide—“This [Honeywell Enviracaire Air Cleaner] HEPA-type air cleaner combines quality construction with superb performance…On "high" and placed on a 2-foot-high table 3 feet from a smoker, it effectively cleansed a 10X15-foot room of cigar smoke.” Source: HowStuffWorks.com
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Air Purifiers) |
| $ | From $50 to $200, you’ll find air purifiers designed to work in smaller spaces, typically 400 square feet or less. Most of these air purifiers use electrostatic technology or basic HEPA filters to collect larger airborne particles. |
Compare prices at 28 stores $36 - $94 |
| $$ | Larger capacity air purifiers can be found from $250 to $700, with many models capable of handling 800 or 900 square feet of space. HEPA filter models are the best choice in this range, although electrostatic models are ideal if you just want to remove smoke. Look for air purifiers with filters that can trap particles smaller than .3 microns at the higher end of this range, and don’t forget to include filter replacement as part of the lifetime ownership cost. |
Compare prices at 19 stores $399 - $425 |
| $$$ | Specialized, high-performance air purifiers start at $750 and can cost over $1,000. These high-capacity air purifiers include specialized filters that use carbon and charcoal to reduce odors as well as trap irritants. Severe allergy sufferers will do best with these air purifiers, but be aware that filter replacement costs are much higher than for midrange air purifiers. |
Compare prices at 16 stores $795.00 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
CADR
Clean Air Delivery Rate, a measurement of efficiency at removing smoke, dust, and pollen, assigned by the independent testers at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and found on most air purifiers.
CFM
Cubic Feet per Minute, a measurement of the output of a fan in an air purifier. CFM does not measure efficiency as clearly as CADR, and the maximum CADR of an air purifier will be a little less than its maximum CFM, depending on the type of filters used.
Electrostatic
An air purifier that removes airborne particles by changing their electrical charge, causing them to collect on solid surfaces. These air purifiers are good at removing smoke from the air.
HEPA
High Efficiency Air Particulate Filters are designed to remove tiny particles from the air. HEPA filter air purifiers are the most efficient at cleaning dust and pollen. The filters must be replaced periodically.
Ionic
Another name given to electrostatic air purifiers, which create negatively charged ions as well as ozone as part of the air-charging process.
Ozone emitter
An air purifier that removes strong odors by producing large amounts of ozone gas. These air purifiers do not remove airborne irritants and the amounts of ozone they generate can be dangerous to asthmatics and those with respiratory conditions.
Photocatalytic oxidation
An air purifier that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill airborne bacteria and microbes. These air purifiers do not remove airborne irritants such as dust, smoke, and pollen, and they tend to be of little use in the home.
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