Are you looking for a way to improve the air quality in your home? Do you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems? Do you want to get rid of unpleasant odours, smoke, or pollutants in your indoor environment? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to consider getting an air purifier.
However, choosing the right air purifier for your home can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, such as your air quality concerns, the size of your room, the maintenance cost, and the features of the device. That's why we have created this ultimate guide to help you find the best air purifier for your needs and budget.
Key Takeaways
Here is a very short summary of the guide:
|
Step 1. Determine Your Air Quality Concerns
The first step to choosing the right air purifier for your home is to determine your air quality concerns. What are the main sources of air pollution in your home? What are you allergic or sensitive to? What are you trying to eliminate or reduce from your indoor air?
Different types of air purifiers can target different types of contaminants. For example, some air purifiers can have HEPA filters that can capture dust and pollen, while others can have activated carbon filters that can adsorb odours and gases.
Here is a table that compares the main types of filters and technologies used in air purifiers and their effectiveness against different types of pollutants.
| Filter/Technology | Good for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|
| HEPA filter | Particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and some bacteria and viruses. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of these particles from the air. | Gases, odours, VOCs, smoke, and other chemicals. HEPA filters cannot adsorb or oxidise these pollutants from the air. |
| Activated carbon filter | Gases, odours, VOCs, smoke, and other chemicals. Activated carbon filters can adsorb these pollutants from the air using a large surface area and a porous structure. | Particles smaller than 0.3 microns, such as some bacteria and viruses. Activated carbon filters cannot capture these particles from the air. |
| Ioniser | Particles of any size, such as dust, pollen, smoke, and bacteria. Ionisers emit negative ions that attach to positive ions in the air, making them heavier and easier to collect. | Gases, odours, VOCs, and other chemicals. Ionisers cannot adsorb or oxidise these pollutants from the air. |
| UV lamp | Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, moulds, and fungi. UV lamps emit UV-C light that can kill or deactivate these organisms by damaging their DNA or RNA. | Particles, gases, odours, VOCs, smoke, and other chemicals. UV lamps cannot remove these pollutants from the air and may need to be combined with other filters or technologies. |
| PCO device | Organic compounds such as VOCs, odours, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants. PCO devices can use a catalyst (such as titanium dioxide) and UV light to oxidise these compounds into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. | Inorganic compounds such as metals or minerals. PCO devices cannot oxidise these compounds from the air. |
| Electrostatic filter | Particles of any size, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and some bacteria and viruses. Electrostatic filters work like a magnet for these particles by giving them an electric charge and then pulling them toward a magnetic media or a plate. | Gases, odours, VOCs, smoke, and other chemicals. Electrostatic filters cannot adsorb or oxidise these pollutants from the air. |
Depending on your specific needs and preferences, you may want to choose an air purifier that has one or more of these filters or technologies. To make it easier for you, we created collections of different types of air purifiers that can address different air quality concerns. You can browse through these collections and find the one that suits you best:
- Air Purifiers for Dust and Dust Mites: This collection features air purifiers that can remove dust and dust mites from the air using HEPA filters.
- Air Purifiers for Pet Dander and Pet Allergies: This collection features air purifiers that can remove pet dander and pet allergens from the air using pre-filters, HEPA filters and activated carbon filters.
- Air Purifiers for Smoke and Odours: This collection features air purifiers that can remove smoke and odours from the air using activated carbon filters, cold plasma or PCO technology.
-
Air Purifiers for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): This collection features air purifiers that can adsorb or oxidise gases, odours, smoke, and other chemicals from the air using activated carbon filters, cold plasma or PCO technology.
-
Air Purifiers for Viruses and Bacteria: This collection features air purifiers that can kill or deactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, moulds, and fungi from the air using HEPA filters, UV lamps, PCO or cold plasma technologies, ionisers or electrostatic filters.
-
Air Purifiers for Mould: This collection features air purifiers that can remove mould spores and mould allergens from the air using HEPA filters, UV lamps, PCO or cold plasma technologies.
-
Air Purifiers for Eczema: This collection features air washers that can help people with eczema by removing dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, bacteria, viruses, and other irritants from the air.
-
Air Purifiers for Vehicles: This collection features air purifiers that can be used in cars, vans, trucks, buses, or other vehicles to improve the air quality inside them.
-
Air Purifiers for Dental Clinics: This collection features air purifiers that can be used in dental clinics to sanitise the air and prevent infections using HEPA filters, activated carbon filters and UV lamps.
Step 2. Measure Your Room Size
We have done the legwork, so you don’t have to worry about the math. All you need to do is find an air purifier that has a CADR equal to or higher than the minimum requirement for your room size. You can browse through our collections of air purifiers at aerify.co.uk and compare the features and specifications of different models. We are sure you will find the best air purifier for your home.
If you are not sure how to calculate the size of your room or the minimum CADR you need for your air purifier, you can use our interactive calculator below to help you. You need to enter the length and width of your room in meters, the height of your ceiling and the required minimum air changes per hour (ACH) and the calculator will tell you the minimum CADR in cubic meters per hour for your ACH. For general use at home, you may want to choose an ACH of at least 3, which means the air purifier can filter the air in your room 3 times every hour.
However, you may want to choose an air purifier that has a higher CADR than the minimum requirement, depending on your personal preference and air quality concerns. For example, if you have severe allergies or asthma, or if you live in a highly polluted area, you may want to choose an air purifier that can provide more than 3 ACH for your room. This will ensure a higher level of air purification and protection for you and your family.
Here are some examples of air purifiers that have different CADRs and can cover different room sizes with at least 3 ACH:
-
Blueair Blue Max 3250i: This air purifier has a CADR of 239 cubic meters per hour and can cover a room size of up to 43 square meters with 3 ACH. This is a good choice for medium-sized rooms such as bedrooms or living rooms.
-
Blueair Blue Max 3350i: This air purifier has a CADR of 425 cubic meters per hour and can cover a room size of up to 59 square meters with 3 ACH. This is a good choice for large rooms such as open-plan kitchens or offices.
-
Blueair Blue Max 3450i: This air purifier has a CADR of 510 cubic meters per hour and can cover a room size of up to 71 square meters with 3 ACH. This is a good choice for large rooms such as open-plan kitchens or offices.
Step 3. Calculate the Maintenance Cost
The third step to choosing the right air purifier for your home is to calculate the maintenance cost. The maintenance cost is an important factor to consider because it affects the long-term expenses and performance of your air purifier.
The maintenance cost mainly depends on the type and lifespan of the filters or technologies used in your air purifier. Some filters or technologies may need to be replaced or cleaned regularly, while others may last longer or require no maintenance at all.
Here is a table that summarises the maintenance cost of different types of filters and technologies used in air purifiers:
| Filter/Technology | Lifespan | Ongoing Cost | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEPA | 6-12 months | £10-£100 | Replace when clogged or dirty |
| Activated carbon | 3-6 months | £5-£50 | Replace when saturated or ineffective |
| Pre-filter | 1-3 months | £2-£20 | Replace or clean when dirty or dusty |
| Ioniser | Years | N/a | Clean tip of the needles occasionally |
| UV lamp | Several months or years | £5-£50 | Replace when dim or burnt out |
| PCO with TiO2 & UV | 12-24 months | £50-500 | Replace when ineffective |
| PCO with WO3 & LED | Years | N/a | Clean occasionally and replace if damaged |
| Electrostatic | 12-18 months | £20-100 | Clean occasionally and replace if damaged |
Step 4. Decide Which Features are Important to You
The fourth and final step to choosing the right air purifier for your home is to decide which features are important to you. The features of an air purifier are important to consider because they affect the convenience, comfort, and functionality of your device.
Some of the common features that air purifiers may have are:
-
Noise level: This feature indicates how loud or quiet an air purifier is when operating. The noise level is measured in decibels (dB) and can range from 20 dB (whisper) to 80 dB (vacuum cleaner). The noise level of an air purifier depends on the speed, size, and design of the fan and the filters. Some people may prefer a silent or low-noise air purifier, especially for bedrooms or offices. Others may not mind a moderate or high-noise air purifier, especially for living rooms or kitchens.
-
Energy consumption: This feature indicates how much electricity an air purifier uses when operating. The energy consumption is measured in watts (W) and can range from 1 W (less then an LED bulb) to 200 W (laptop). The energy consumption of an air purifier depends on the speed, size, and design of the fan and the filters. Some people may prefer an energy-efficient or low-energy air purifier, especially for environmental or economic reasons. Others may not mind an energy-intensive or high-energy air purifier, especially for performance or quality reasons.
-
Design: This feature indicates how an air purifier looks and feels in terms of its shape, size, colour, material, and style. The design of an air purifier depends on the brand, model, and target market of the device. Some people may prefer a sleek or stylish air purifier, especially for aesthetic or personal reasons. Others may not mind a simple or basic air purifier, especially for practical or functional reasons.
-
Smart functions: This feature indicates how an air purifier can be controlled or monitored using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or voice assistant. The smart functions of an air purifier depend on the brand, model, and technology of the device. Some people may prefer a smart or connected air purifier, especially for convenience or flexibility reasons. Others may not mind a manual or standalone air purifier, especially for simplicity or reliability reasons.
-
Sensors: This feature indicates how an air purifier can detect and display the level of pollutants, humidity, temperature, or other parameters in the indoor air. The sensors of an air purifier depend on the brand, model, and technology of the device. Some people may prefer a sensor-equipped or intelligent air purifier, especially for accuracy or feedback reasons. Others may not mind a sensor-less or basic air purifier, especially for affordability or trust reasons.
-
Indicators: This feature indicates how an air purifier can show the status of the device, such as the power, speed, mode, filter life, or error code. The indicators of an air purifier depend on the brand, model, and design of the device. Some people may prefer a indicator-rich or informative air purifier, especially for clarity or guidance reasons. Others may not mind a indicator-poor or simple air purifier, especially for discretion or preference reasons.
-
Timers: This feature indicates how an air purifier can be programmed to turn on or off automatically at a specific time or after a certain duration. The timers of an air purifier depend on the brand, model, and technology of the device. Some people may prefer a timer-enabled or customisable air purifier, especially for efficiency or convenience reasons. Others may not mind a timer-disabled or manual air purifier, especially for flexibility or control reasons.
-
Modes: This feature indicates how an air purifier can be adjusted to different settings or scenarios, such as sleep mode, auto mode, turbo mode, night mode, or child lock mode. The modes of an air purifier depend on the brand, model, and technology of the device. Some people may prefer a mode-rich or versatile air purifier, especially for comfort or functionality reasons. Others may not mind a simple air purifier, especially for ease or consistency reasons.
-
Remote control: This feature indicates how an air purifier can be operated or controlled using a physical or virtual device, such as a remote control, a knob, a button, a touch screen, or a voice command. The remote control of an air purifier depends on the brand, model, and technology of the device. Some people may prefer a remote-controlled or convenient air purifier, especially for accessibility or flexibility reasons. Others may not mind a straightforward air purifier, especially for simplicity or reliability reasons.
Conclusion
We hope that this ultimate guide has helped you understand how to choose the right air purifier for your home. As you can see, there are many factors to consider, such as your air quality concerns, the size of your room, the maintenance cost, and the features of the device.
By following the steps and tips in this guide, you will be able to find the best air purifier for your needs and budget. You will also be able to enjoy the benefits of having an air purifier in your home, such as improving your indoor air quality, reducing your exposure to allergens, odours, and pollutants, and enhancing your health and well-being.
If you are ready to shop for an air purifier, we invite you to browse through the wide range of air purifiers available at aerify.co.uk.
If you have any questions or feedback about our products or services, please feel free to contact us at info@aerify.co.uk or call us at 0800 689 0491. We are always happy to hear from you and assist you with your air purification needs.
Thank you for reading this ultimate guide and we hope to see you soon at aerify.co.uk! 😊
