Expert Contributor Written by Len Sciulli
Choosing the Right Air Purifier for Your Home
I
t may be time to invest in an air purifier, especially if you’ve spent the summer sneezing and wheezing inside your home. Air purifiers reduce dust, pollen and other allergens. Some air purifiers also help eliminate odors. Using varying types of technologies, air purifiers come in many different forms and sizes. Prices range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars, for devices that may or may not solve your problems. The air filter that comes as part of your furnace is your home’s first defense in keeping the air clean and your furnace operating properly. Many add-on, higher-quality filters are also designed to filter out dust, mold, allergens, pet dander and other pollutants that circulate around your home. If someone in your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory ailment, furnace filters should be changed more frequently than the usual quarterly recommendation. Filters come with a MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): The higher the rating, the more contaminants can be filtered out. A MERV rating of at least 10 is recommended by the American Lung Association if changing your filter as recommended doesn’t help alleviate symptoms of allergies or asthma. Here are three kinds to choose from: • Mechanical filters work by removing particles from the air just like a furnace filter. Some may be more effective than others. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters have MERV ratings of up to 20. They are not reusable.
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and returns. Air passes through the fibers, generating electrostatic charges that act like a magnet in attracting airborne particles. Electrostatic filters can be cleaned and reused. • Ionic air cleaners operate by releasing into the air negatively charged ions, which stick to positive charges that are inherent in pollutant particles. This causes the particles to stick to each other and settle out of the air onto objects in the room. You also need to decide whether you want a whole-house air purifier or one or more portable units. Whole-house units can be installed directly into your existing HVAC system, whereas portable units can be set up wherever you wish. While less expensive and more convenient, portable units tend to be noisier and less thorough in purifying the air throughout your home. Whole-house cleaners require professional installation but they are more effective in decontaminating your entire home. Contact an indoor air-quality specialist who can discuss these options and help you decide what would best suit your needs and your budget. M
Maintain Your HVAC System During Every Season
• Electronic air cleaners use an electrical field to trap particles. They are typically made of woven synthetic fibers attached to aluminum grates for rigidity, and fit over HVAC system vents
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