7 Common Myths About Air Purifiers That You Should Stop Believing
Air purifiers are tested-and-tried devices when it comes to air purification, but some are still hesitant to invest in these.
18/05/2022
Admittedly, the problem of air pollution is
already difficult to control. The massive
developments in our industries and technologies
have caused a significant increase in the human
footprint, which includes the harmful emissions
in the air.
Even our indoor spaces
aren't safe from this problem. Numerous sources
of pollution exist in your living spaces. From
pathogens like bacteria and viruses to the
allergens like molds, these things may be
present in your home. And it is a serious issue
since it affects your health.
It is for
this reason that people are searching for the
top air purifier supplier. After all, air
purifiers are tested-and-tried devices when it
comes to air purification. However, some are
still hesitant to invest in these air purifiers
because of several established misconceptions.
Here are some of those myths:
Common Myths About Air Purifiers That You Should Stop Believing
Air purifiers are effective tools for
improving your indoor air quality. Despite their
tested-and-tried rapport, there are still many
misconceptions that revolve around them. Perhaps
you believe one or two of these skewed
perceptions.
Hence, it is the perfect
time to dispel them already.
Myth 1: Air Purifiers Are No Longer Needed If You Have Air Conditioner
This is a myth that can easily be debunked
because it doesn't have any substance at all. Of
course, we all know that many air conditioners
are equipped with some filtration capabilities.
But at the same time, these functions aren't as
comprehensive as the ones that air purifiers
offer.
One proof of this is that air
conditioners don't have HEPA filters. When it
comes to comprehensive air filtration, these
HEPA filters are extremely vital. You see, these
filters are the ones that capture microscopic
contaminants that are as small as 0.3 microns.
Within this range, various harmful contaminants
exist, such as viruses, bacteria, and allergens.
Furthermore, we have to emphasize that
air conditioners are HVAC appliances. This means
that their primary role is to regulate the
temperature of a given space. Specifically, air
conditioners maintain the coolness of your
living spaces. Hence, you shouldn't entrust your
indoor air quality to these appliances. Only air
purifiers can do this job.
Myth 2: Air Purifiers Are Useless
Just because these air purifiers are designed
to do something that is seemingly impossible
doesn't mean that they don't work. Air purifiers
are effective tools for removing contaminants in
a given space. These air purifiers are equipped
with essential filters that capture different
types of pollutants in the air.
Aside
from the HEPA filter that we mentioned earlier,
air purifiers also have activated carbon filters
and pre-filters. An activated carbon filter is
the one that breaks the substances and compounds
that cause foul odors. Essentially, if there's a
smoker inside your home, you would need the air
purifier to have a carbon filter. This filter is
also effective against volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) derived from household
products.
Meanwhile, the pre-filter is
the one that captures large debris such as soil,
dust, and pet dander. It is the first layer of
defense of these air purifiers, and it is
crucial for preventing the HEPA and carbon
filters from wearing out quickly.
Myth 3: Ozone Air Purifiers Are As Effective As Filter Air Purifiers
With the benefits of an air purifier, we
still need to underline the fact that not all
air purifiers are the same. Some air purifiers
are indeed better than their counterparts.
Furthermore, not all air purifiers have the
same coverage. An air purifier may be used for
personal use, while some can be used for
whole-house air purification. As long as you
know your needs and requirements, you will be
able to pick the right air purifier for you.
But at the same time, we have to warn you
that filter-based air purifiers are not the same
as ozone air purifiers. You see, these ozone air
purifiers are not effective. In fact, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued
a warning against these ozone air purifiers.
Ozone air purifiers are pretty problematic
for a number of reasons. According to its
manufacturers, these ozone air purifiers produce
ozone that attaches to the contaminants in the
air. They trigger a reaction that would break
these substances, causing them to fall to the
ground.
While the idea is pretty
harmless, it isn't really the case. After all,
ozone is a type of lung irritant. Prolonged
exposure to it would cause health problems.
Furthermore, it would require large amounts of
ozone before it can produce significant
improvements to the air you breathe.
Therefore, it is recommended that you only use
air purifiers that are using the standard
filtration system.
Myth 4: Air Purifiers Lower Humidity
The job of air purifiers is to reduce the
presence of pollutants in a given space. They
don't necessarily lower the moisture levels,
which many people assume. Of course, air
purifiers are capable of drawing air into their
system. But it is never designed to capture
water and moisture.
If you have humidity
problems in your home, you either have to invest
in either a humidifier or a dehumidifier. As its
name suggests, a humidifier is the one that
helps increase the relative humidity of an area.
If you think that your air is too dry, you
should get a humidifier right away.
Meanwhile, a dehumidifier acts oppositely to a
humidifier. Specifically, dehumidifiers prevent
too much moisture in the air. Keep in mind that
moist and humid areas are the favorite breeding
grounds for molds and other air contaminants.
Fortunately, air purifiers, humidifiers,
and dehumidifiers don't have antagonistic
effects when used simultaneously. Hence, you
should never hesitate to use them at the same
time, especially if the situation requires it.
Myth 5: Air Purifiers Release Harmful Radiation
Let's get the facts straight: air purifiers
emit radiation. But don't panic yet. You see,
the HEPA filters of these air purifiers give off
a little amount of radiation. It is so small
that it is safe to completely ignore it.
Keep in mind that all electronic devices
produce electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation.
This particular byproduct can either be in the
form of magnetic and electrostatic fields
created by the movement of electrical currents
in a device or appliance.
Hence, your
appliances inside your home, such as ovens,
smartphones, and computers, produce EMF.
However, the level of radiation isn't harmful to
the health of the body. Even if you place these
appliances near babies and children, they will
not produce any significant impacts.
But
of course, there's an exception to this matter.
Specifically, you are at risk if you are using
air purifiers that are using ionizing
technology. These are the ones that release
ozone. Ionizers tend to generate high levels of
radiation. Electrostatic precipitators, a
variant of these ionizers, use an electrical
charge to neutralize pollutants.
Again,
these devices have questionable effectiveness.
They also generate high levels of radiation and
ozone, so you should never use them inside your
home. At this point, you only need those air
purifiers that are using HEPA filters.
Myth 6: Bad Odor Means An Air Purifier Isn't Working
Air purifiers are primarily designed to
capture airborne pollutants, such as dust, pet
dander, and molds. With the help of HEPA
filters, air purifiers are capable of achieving
this feat.
However, one should know that
it is not only these foreign bodies that
contaminate the air. Foul odor coming from
cigarette smoke, food and ingredients, and
garbage can also reduce the air quality inside
your home.
But don't automatically
assume that all air purifiers can solve the
smelly problem within your living spaces.
Specifically, only air purifiers that have
carbon filters are capable of neutralizing the
pungent smell in your home.
If your home
remains smelly even if you have an air purifier,
there's a probability that it doesn't have a
carbon filter installed on it.
Myth 7: Filters Don't Need To Be Changed
Air purifiers require the service of
different filters for them to work properly.
Without these filters, it is impossible for
these air cleaners to deal with the indoor air
pollution you are experiencing.
Of
course, high-quality air purifiers have durable
and effective filters. They are capable of
trapping different airborne pollutants, which,
in turn, purifies the air that you inhale.
Despite the robust quality of these filters,
this doesn't mean that they are long-lasting.
There are no filters that work like that. They
have a limited lifespan, and most of the time,
it is dependent on the severity of the air
pollution problem. The more pollutants there
are, the more exhausted these filters become.
Over time, these filters will be clogged
by the very dirt and debris they absorb. If you
persist in using your air purifier without
replacing the worn filters, you won't experience
significant improvements in your indoor air
quality. At the same time, there's a possibility
for the dirt to be recirculated back into the
rooms.
Replace your filters regularly to
ensure the optimal performance of your air
purifier.
Conclusion
Despite the effectiveness of these air purifiers, it is evident that there are still some confusing aspects to them. By dispelling those misconceptions, people will be able to appreciate the performance of these devices. Simultaneously, it should also compel you to get these appliances and make them an integral part of your living spaces.