There are many different types of air purifiers currently available on the market today from several different manufactures and brands. In order to make an informed decision as to which air purifier is the right fit for you, the following 10 questions may be considered prior to a purchase. Specifications from one air purifier to another can vary widely, which is why it’s important to answer these questions prior to making a purchase decision.
Does it have a fair price?
Price is a substantial part of the decision making process. For some, it will be the most important factor when considering which air purifier to buy. This is because some people have limitations on what they can spend on a product at any given time, or they have limitations on what they can reason to themselves they should spend on a product. If you have asthma, chronic bronchitis, or other health concerns that have prompted you to desire a filter, price should certainly be a factor but perhaps not the most important factor when choosing the right air filter for you.
Another reason why price may be important to you is because you realize you may want to resell your filter and purchase a newer one some years down the road. The quality of the filter and the materials your filter is made out of will determine whether it will have a fair resale value after it’s been used.
Does it eliminate odors?
If you are someone who is looking to purchase a filter because you are looking specifically to eliminate odors from the air, then you should seek out filters that can destroy bacteria, molds, and smoke. Dust and pollen do not create as much odor as these other things do. Unfortunately, bacteria and mold are among the more difficult particles to clean from your home’s air supply because these particles are much smaller than the dust and pollen particles. Mold spores and bacteria can pass through your standard filter without being caught. This is why some filters have a UV capacity. The UV can destroy what the filter cannot capture.
If you live in a home of a smoker, then you will want to look for a powerful fan. The filter will eliminate some of the odor, but to the more important job is using the fan to freshen the air.
Is it a tower, rectangle, or other shape?
The abilities of the filter to capture air and redistribute it to the room in which it is placed will be partially dependent on the shape of the filter. Logically, a filter that is very short would have to have a very powerful fan in order to capture air that is closer to the ceiling. This is why many filters are built as towers. At the same time, dust, dirt, and other particles are often carried into your home from a person’s shoes. Therefore, there are additional particles by the surface of the rug and the floors that need additional attention. A rectangle may have the capacity for a larger fan internally because the shape of the product allows it.
How does it look in my home?
It may be a waste for you to have hired that interior decorator or placed one piece after another of gorgeous art in your living room if your air filter sticks out like a sore thumb. Visuals can be difficult to judge, but consider the color, the texture, and the shape of the product when purchasing something that may be placed in a spot that will be visible to guests. An all-black tower filter may not match well with your yellow carpets, white walls, and wood doors.
Will it take up a lot of room?
A filter should not be so large that it is distracting you, or be the main centerpiece in any room. Your filter should blend in with the surrounding area and not take space that could be used for furniture or other important fixtures in your home, like your bed, a table, chairs, or a light stand.
Is it loud, or will it become loud over the years?
Ideally, your air filter should be able to run whether you are home or away from home. If your filter is loud, creates an annoying noise, or any noise at all it may distract you from relaxing or doing work. Some filters will be perfectly silent at first and then, after years of use, cleanings, and aging, begin to create a noise you don’t enjoy listening to. This is an important factor when making an investment into an air purifier.
Do I need to frequently change the filters, and is cleaning difficult or messy?
Not all filters are created equal when it comes to this category. Some air purifiers require hardly any cleanup because of the design of the model. Others have large filter pads that need to be changed once a week or more and eventually need to be replaced. Many ionic filters have a metal plate that will attract a dark black soot that can be quite difficult to remove if you personally are cleaning it. Consider the cost of replacement filters as being part of the entire cost of the purifier prior to purchase.
What is my reason for purchasing this filter?
As mentioned above, some filters will work perfectly fine to simply circulate and freshen air in your home. Some other ones might have a more powerful fan that can circulate air in large spaces, like a large living room. You might only need the filter to remove dust and pollen from a small bedroom, or you might have the desire for the purifier to kill bacteria and molds. Some filters are better at removing offensive odors in the air, while others are not very good at removing odors but can clean the air of pollen. Your original intention behind your purchase will determine which purifier is the right choice for you.
Is it sturdy and made out of reliable materials?
Another way to phrase this consideration is “What will happen if I drop my filter when moving it or my dog knocks it over?” If you have a tower, your dog could knock the filter over, as could a small child. However, if you have a rectangle this is less likely to happen – there’s nothing to knock over. If the shell of the purifier is made out of a hollow plastic material like many of them are, consider whether that shell would shatter if the item was dropped. You want to look for reliable, sturdy materials when you purchase your air purifier because these products are meant to be used for years at a time.
Is the internal wiring faulty or unsafe?
This is a factor many might overlook but it is very important. Products that have design flaws internally, perhaps because the manufacturer was more concerned with the visuals rather than the engineering inside of the product, will be more likely to break. This might be difficult to access, but consider everything you know (or don’t know) about the brand you are buying from. Ask a sales representative or do additional research on the internet about whether the product has been reported to break after so many years of use. Bad or faulty internal wiring can cause problems for your outlet. Products that have poor wiring may burn out and be rendered unusable than products that have sound wiring in place.
As you’ve discovered, there are many things to consider before you make a purchase decision about your air purifier. You might have questions you’d like to answer in order to choose the right product for you. There are also additional things to consider like whether it has a warranty or rebate and the integrity of the company from which you are purchasing the item. All of these factors together will allow you to make the best decision for you.
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