Even if the increasing levels of dust and dirt in the atmosphere do not cause you medical problems or distress at the moment, you might want to consider the long term picture, and choose to purify the air you breathe before you begin to suffer problems, the effects of which may be very difficult to reverse.
For anyone considering buying any form of air purifier, here are the top ten points that you will need to carefully consider before making your choice:
- Find a unit that guarantees to remove a high percentage of particulates from the air, together with the capability of capturing small sized particles.
- Air flow through volume capacity. Look at the recommended room size of the unit, usually expressed in square feet or square meters.
- Specific health concerns. Consider exactly what substance(s) is it that you are keenest to remove from the air: cigarette smoke, bacteria, or germs?
- Pick a reputable manufacturer. Look for an organization of home appliance manufacturers where you live, for example (eg. in USA, http://www.aham.org).
- Indoor factors. What pollutant in particular (cigarette smoke, mold spores, dust, etc.) is it that is affecting your health? Look for a unit that can best eliminate that substance from the atmosphere around you.
- Operating costs. Check the manufacturer’s replacement interval and the filter costs, as replacing filters could represent a significant expense.
- Construction quality. Does the warranty cover internal components? Is the machine listed with an organization that requires standards for quality and safety?
- Ease of use. Make sure that the processes involved in changing, operating, and cleaning the filter are not too challenging or time consuming.
- Warranty. Look for the most comprehensive, long-term warranty that you can find.
- Consider the operating noise. Does the manufacturer claim their unit is “whisper quiet?” Confirm exaggerated claims by requesting operating noise values (expressed in decibels). Quieter units are about 35 decibels. Excessive noise is just another form of pollution, after all!
Remember, the air that we breathe, no less than the water that we drink, is meant to be clean, healthy and life sustaining, and you should do all that you can to ensure that, whilst this may not be true outdoors, especially in the modern city environment, your home is a refuge from the dirt, grime and dust outside!
