Ecology in today's cities leaves much to be desired. In addition to dust, cigarette smoke and bacteria rush through the air, heavy smog accumulates. And all this gets into our apartments and offices. Air purifiers help cope with these harmful substances by delaying them. Such devices are urgently needed for allergy sufferers, and they will not hinder everyone else. Next, we will talk about which air purifier to choose for an apartment, what parameters and functions to pay attention to and how to choose.
Types of air purifiers and their features
Each unit includes a fan, powered by the mains, as well as a filter system. Due to the rotation of the fan wings, the air flow is drawn into the device, passing through the filters. Which can be dry or equipped with a moisturizing option. In addition, there are models that provide for ionization of air (which, incidentally, is very beneficial for human health). First, consider what the choice and features of each type of air purifier are made up of.
Humidifiers and air cleaners
As you know, excessively dry air is not at all useful for people. Therefore, many use moisturizers. By the way, they at the same time clean the air masses of harmful impurities (mainly, of course, dust, seven tenths of which are dead skin epithelium cells and other traces of human life).
We bring dust home on dirty shoes and outerwear, it bursts into the window panes and windows when the apartment is aired or a draft occurs by chance. Those who are prone to allergies may have a hard time with it - in asthmatics, for example, an attack is quite possible.
But buying a conventional humidifier does not completely solve the cleaning problem. After all, it is only a side effect: humidified air binds dust particles. And they, becoming wet and heavy, fall to the floor and other planes. Leaving from the upper level, where we breathe.
The device is a traditional humidifier.
1. Clean air.
2. The float bag.
3. The cleaning filter.
4. A tray with water.
5. Dirty air.
6. The fan.
The air washes are completely different. Their main purpose is contact air cleaning, and humidification is an additional option. The design of the sink is very simple: a plastic container filled with water. Plastic disks are blown into this container (not completely), blown by air coming from the fan. Dust adheres to wet discs, which is washed off by rotation.
Sink models all have the same design, differing only in the power of the electric fan, the dimensions of the disks and the external design. Additional functions may also be present: ionization, filtering.
Air cleaning device.
1. Dirty air.
2. The fan.
3. Ionization of air.
4. Clean air.
5. The rotating drum.
6. A tray with water.
+ Pluses of humidifiers and air sinks
1. Economical in operation - consume only 120 to 400 watts of electricity;
2. They do not make noise at all, since the fans use not very powerful ones;
3.They are structurally simple and do not require complicated maintenance (you only need to periodically flush the device).
- Cons humidifiers and air sinks
1. Slow enough work. Express modes are not provided here. And if you want to quickly clean the air in the room, then washing with humidifiers will not help.
2. There is a statement that such devices contribute to the reproduction of bacteria (loving heat and moisture). But it can be refuted. Follow the instructions, caring for the device, and everything will be in order. No health hazard will appear.
Dry Filter Air Purifiers
Units of this type are characterized by good performance and high power. Therefore, many dwell on this option. In the device, air mass under pressure is passed through a series of filters. An electric fan installed in front of the exhaust grille draws in contaminated air with force, forcing it to go through the filters.
A little touch on the main varieties of these filters. There are three of them:
- Pre-filtering devices are a kind of sponge-mesh, easily blown. It is able to trap particles of dust and dirt, the size of which is from 1 to 5 microns.
- The fine filtering system is a frame, inside of which there is a piece of special material folded in accordion, speckled with microscopic holes. A similar original design increases the usable contact area. In addition, an electrostatic field arises, allowing to attract additional dust. As a result, contaminated particles from 0.1 to 1 micron are retained.
- The HEPA filter is able to cope with very tiny particles (as a rule, these are the most dangerous allergens). It is advisable that such a filter be present in the device - pay attention to this when decisive.
In principle, a dry cleaner that pressurizes (tends to vacuum) works like a vacuum cleaner, which the British even call a "vacuum cleaner" (in the original - "vacuum cleaner"). In other words, if we put a closed chamber in front of the filters, we will get a vacuum cleaner.
The device of an air purifier and its filter.
1. The fan.
2. Coconut coir filter.
3. HEPA filter.
4. Strainer.
+ Pros of Dry Filter Air Purifiers
1. Power and performance are quite high.
2. You can perform express cleaning (there is such a mode).
3. A large line of models of various capacities.
- Cons of air filters with dry filters
1. Such units are pretty noisy, as they have powerful fans. Only expensive premium options can work quietly.
2. They consume a lot of electricity.
Ionization Air Purifiers
Devices of this type have in design a circuit developed back in the last century by the Soviet scientist Alexander Chizhevsky. Everything happens as during a thunderstorm - the air is electrified and saturated with ozone.
It also turned out that air saturated with electricity is capable of performing useful work. If you take a plate or a frequent grate of metal, and then electrify it, then it will be able to attract dust, however arbitrarily fine (with which no filter of a modern vacuum cleaner can cope). That is, to perform the function of an air purifier.
So in the ozonizer the air is not only ozonized, but also successfully cleaned. And at the same time, you do not need to drive it under pressure (as in a dry air purifier) - there is plenty of air circulation that is created when people walk around the room or in a draft from the window leaf. Dust will attract itself to the grate.
If the device was invented now, the word "nanotechnology" would certainly be mentioned. So effectively he copes with the task, having in service only an electric field. While holding dust particles of any size. Using the device in tandem with other devices, they create a stream of air saturated with ozone, which can both neutralize water and clean products from “chemistry”.
We choose a cleaner in accordance with the problems that need to be solved
We cope with the abundance of dust
It is worth paying attention to the following devices:
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
Air purifiers with HEPA filters. |
9/10  |
|
Air purifiers with electrostatic filters. |
8/10  |
|
Air cleaners ionizers. |
7/10  |
Allergy sufferers who do not tolerate dust
In this case, the threat is posed by very small particles that cannot be seen with the eye. From them something allergy sufferers and flows from the nose, rashes on the skin and sneezing attacks appear. And even worse, people with bronchial asthma (which is becoming more and more every year) can experience a serious attack.
Let's look at what devices are best able to help allergy sufferers:
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
HEPA air purifiers. |
9/10 |
|
Air purifiers with electrostatic filters. |
8/10 |
|
Sinks of air. |
8/10 |
|
Air cleaners ionizers. |
7/10 |
|
Humidifiers. |
6/10  |
It is worth knowing that the cause of allergies can be deeper. Often the matter is not in the dust itself, but in the dust mites living in it. There may also be an allergy to mold, as well as to fungus. Eliminating them completely, you can destroy the root of evil. For this, air purifiers with the ozonation option are successfully used, as well as photocatalytic type purifiers. However, they must certainly have dust removal functions - they must be disposed of first.
Photocatalytic air purifiers operate on the basis of a symbiosis of ultraviolet radiation and a catalyst. This is detrimental to harmful microorganisms and chemical compounds that are destroyed quickly and efficiently.
As for air purifiers of ozonizers, they have their own powerful weapon - ozone, which also effectively destroys microbes due to oxidizing qualities. Such devices can not be used in the presence of people. Turning them on, you must leave the room.
Fighting tobacco smoke
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
Photocatalytic air purifiers. |
9/10 |
|
Air purifiers ozonizers. |
8/10 |
|
Sinks of air. |
3/10 |
|
Air purifier equipped with a carbon filter. |
2/10 |
Get rid of bad odors
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
Photocatalytic air purifiers. |
9/10 |
|
Air purifiers ozonizers. |
8/10 |
|
Air purifier equipped with a carbon filter. |
7/10 |
Air disinfection
When an epidemic walks around the city, children or adults get sick, it will not be superfluous to clean the air from bacteria and viruses. And in child care facilities, this procedure should be carried out regularly.
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
Air purifiers ozonizers. |
9/10 |
|
Photocatalytic air purifiers. |
8/10 |
If the air is too dry
Here, deciding what to choose a cleaner and humidifier for an apartment, you can stop on two options.
| Air cleaner view | Degree of effectiveness |
|---|---|
|
Air purifier with humidification function. |
9/10 |
|
Sinks of air. |
8/10 |
The financial side and ease of maintenance
Before choosing a specific model, it makes sense to ask yourself a few questions. Let's voice them.
Are additional maintenance costs important to you?
If so, then you can pay attention to ozonizers, ionizers, air washers, photocatalytic models. That is, those devices where there are no filters. If the subsequent costs are not scary, you can take a powerful model equipped with a filter system. It is often more effective.
Costs of time for maintenance - how much they mean to you
In order for the device to serve faithfully, it is necessary to take care of it: clean, rinse, change filters. If this is not critical at all, and you are ready to service the device at least every day, then there will be no problems with washing the air or humidifier (after all, they need to be regularly added water, changing it every three days).
Do you want to approach the unit no more than once a week? Then you can look at the plasma models. Their electrostatic plates need to be washed just weekly.
Well, if the best option is to look after the device monthly, then you can advise several types of devices at once. For example, photocatalytic devices, ionizers, ozonizers. A cleaner equipped with HEPA filters is also suitable - they need to be vacuumed just monthly.
Often or rarely you will use the device
In fact, it is best that the device is constantly in operation, dealing with pollution. Breathing clean air, residents will feel better and less likely to get sick.
And if you plan to turn on the air purifier around the clock, then pay attention to the power consumption. Choose more economical appliances.
And deciding to use a cleaner from time to time, you should not stop at sinks with humidifiers. If they are left turned off, then the water soups. However, this is not a problem if desired. Each time it will be necessary to drain the water and dry all the details.
The most important features
Room Area
Perhaps this is the most important parameter. However, most of the manufactured household appliances are of the zonal type. They are suitable for rooms ranging in area from 20 to 50 square meters. There are more powerful models - for 70 and even 100 squares. When buying, make a small margin in area.
Air consumption
Here, two parameters are taken into account at once. This is the area as well as the ceiling height. The necessary productivity of the device depends on them, which per hour can be from 180 to 420 cubic meters. Also, this characteristic is often called air exchange rate.
dimensions
This characteristic becomes especially important when you plan to move the device from one room to another. If it is too heavy and bulky, this will be problematic.
Number of modes
There can be from two to five. Of course, it is better that there are more of them - then you will definitely find the best for yourself. Necessary: night mode (quiet and not interfering with sleep), fast mode, using maximum power.
Popular manufacturers
Characteristics are important, of course, but the brand also has considerable significance. In order not to be disappointed in the purchase quickly enough, you should pay your attention to the goods of manufacturers that have proven themselves in this sector of the market. Which air purifiers will last a long time, without breaking and not requiring constant repair.
Ballu
Ballu air purifiers are famous for their excellent cleaning system, consisting of four filter stages - each of a different type.
Timberk
Swedish manufacturer Timberk produces air purifiers specifically for residents of cities. Their task is to create and maintain an optimal microclimate in apartments and offices.
Jet
Those who are puzzled by the question of how to choose an air purifier for a large room (office, for example, or production) can be advised by the technique of JET (Switzerland). The manufacturer supplies it in the form of special blocks, each of which can be installed in the required place. For example, on walls or on the ceiling. Or even in the ventilation system.
Panasonic
The well-known Panasonic brand produces solid and solid stationary air purifiers that can not only clean, but also moisturize the air masses. In addition, they work very quietly and can cover a large area.
Here, in fact, are all the main recommendations. And then decide for yourself. In any case, build on the tasks set, as well as on the specifics and sizes of the room in which you need to clean the air.
