When it comes to improving the air quality in your home, you may be wondering if an air filter or an air purifier is the best option. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two. Air filters remove contaminants such as dust, mold, bacteria and allergens, while air purifiers aim to disinfect the air by emitting negative ions, ozone, using heat or with UV or UVC lamps. Air filters work by trapping particles in the air, while air purifiers use a variety of technologies to clean the air.
HEPA air filters are one of the most common types of air filters and are designed to capture large particles such as dust and pet dander. Air purifiers can also contain one or more air filters, but they are not designed to work against viruses, mold, bacteria, chemicals or cigarette smoke. UV and photocatalytic oxidation is gaining ground as a popular choice for air purification. This technology uses ultraviolet light to filter the air and collect larger dust particles.
It is also important to note that many products advertised as “HEPA filters” often contain other types of cartridges to remove different elements of the indoor air you breathe. When choosing an air purifier for your home, it is important to consider energy consumption and associated costs. Energy Star certified air purifiers are a great option as they are designed to reduce energy consumption while still providing effective air cleaning performance. It is also important to consider the guidelines set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) when selecting an air purification system. The best way to ensure that your home has clean and healthy air is to use a combination of air cleaning and purification technologies.
This will help address a host of indoor air quality issues and ensure that your family is breathing clean and healthy air.
