Air purifiers are appliances that are used to remove pollutants or contaminants from the air. They are often advertised as being able to remove dust from air and making it purer.
Let’s look at the effectiveness of these appliances and see if they’re actually capable of removing dust from the surrounding air.
Also See: Best Air Purifier for Dust Removal
How do air purifiers work?
Air purifiers typically use a system of fans to draw in air from the surrounding environment. This air is then passed through a combination of filters known as high-efficiency particulate air filters or HEPA filters.
These filters trap pollutants and other particles before pushing the purified air back into the surrounding environment.
Do air purifiers get rid of dust?
The efficiency of an air purifier can vary depending on the air purifier brand and/or model. However, the HEPA filters they use are designed to trap 99.7% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. Filters that trap fewer particles than this percentage and filters that are unable to trap particles larger than 0.3 microns cannot be classified as HEPA filters.
Air purifiers are effective at removing dust, smoke, pollen, and some other contaminants from the surrounding air. However, certain gaseous pollutants such as volatile organic compounds found in paint and cleaning products can’t be captured by HEPA filters.
When should you use an air purifier?
Air purifiers were traditionally used in hospitals to remove particulates that could aggravate respiratory conditions from the air. They can also remove certain viruses, bacteria, and mold spores from the air.
People who are concerned about the quality of air in their homes can also purchase one of the many air purifiers available on the market today. Residents that suffer from allergies or asthma could also benefit from using air purifiers with HEPA filters in their homes.
Air purifiers may also be useful for removing odors from the air in your home. Pet owners could also remove any pet odors from their homes by using a good quality air purifier.
Smokers may be able to reduce the smell of smoke and/or remove second-hand smoke from their homes with the help of an air purifier.
How to select an air purifier?
A wide variety of air purifiers are available on the market today. Some of these appliances may be more effective at removing dust than others. However, if the air purifier you are planning to purchase includes a certified HEPA filter, you can count on it to offer effective dust filtration capabilities.