Air pollution is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. Poor air quality can have a negative impact on our health, and it can be especially harmful for individuals with respiratory conditions. With the rise of air pollution, many people are turning to air purifiers and air cleaners to help improve the quality of the air in their homes and workplaces.
But what’s the difference between air purifiers and air cleaners? And which one is the best for your particular needs? In this blog post, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between air purifiers and air cleaners, as well as the key factors to consider when choosing one for your home or office.
How do we keep this website running?
Our website contains affiliate links and advertisements. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only promote products and services that we believe in and that we think will be valuable to our readers. We also display third-party advertisements that help us keep the lights on and continue creating content for our audience. We appreciate your support and want to be transparent with you about how we make money on our website.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality
Before we dive into the differences between air purifiers and air cleaners, let’s first take a closer look at indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This is due to a variety of factors, including the use of chemicals in household products, poor ventilation, and the presence of dust, pet dander, and other allergens.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health problems, including allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues. It can also cause headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms. That’s why it’s important to take steps to improve the quality of the air in your home or office.
What Are Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers are devices that are designed to remove pollutants and other contaminants from the air. They work by drawing in air and passing it through a series of filters that trap particles such as dust, pet dander, and pollen. The most common types of filters used in air purifiers are HEPA filters, which are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns.
What Are Air Cleaners?
Air cleaners, also known as air scrubbers, are devices that are designed to remove contaminants and pollutants from the air. They work by drawing in air and passing it through a series of filters, just like air purifiers. However, air cleaners typically use a different type of filter than air purifiers.
One common type of air cleaner filter is the electrostatic precipitator, which uses an electrical charge to attract and trap particles. Another type is the mechanical air filter, which uses a physical barrier to capture particles as they pass through.
Air cleaners can also be equipped with UV-C lamps, which emit ultraviolet light that kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in the air. Additionally, some air cleaners use ozone generators, which release ozone into the air to neutralize odors and other pollutants.
Different types of air purifiers
Portable Air Purifiers
Portable air purifiers are a great option for improving your indoor air quality in a specific room or area of your home. They are designed to be moved from room to room, and they can be especially useful in bedrooms or living rooms where you spend a lot of time.
When choosing a portable air purifier, it’s important to consider the size of the room you want to use it in. Look for a purifier with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is appropriate for the size of your room. You should also consider the noise level of the purifier, especially.
As an estimate, the CADR should be at least 2/3 of a room’s area. So, for example, a room that is 12 ft by 20 ft has an area of 240 square feet. A good CADR for this room would be 2/3 of 240, which is 160 CFM.
Air Ionizers
Air ionizers are another type of air purifier that works by emitting negatively charged ions into the air, which attach themselves to positively charged particles such as dust, pollen, and mold. Once attached, the particles become heavy and fall to the ground, where they can be vacuumed or swept away.
One important thing to note about air ionizers is that they can generate ozone as a byproduct of their operation. Ozone is a lung irritant and can cause respiratory problems in some individuals, so it’s important to choose an air ionizer that emits a low level of ozone or none at all.
Also if you are looking for an air purifier to remove tobacco smoke from your home, you should consider using an ionic air purifier. These air purifiers use an electrical charge to attract and remove particles from the air. Ionic air purifiers can remove particles as small as 0.01 microns, making them an excellent choice for removing smoke particles.
UV Light Purifiers
UV light purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill airborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. The purifier’s UV lamp emits a high-intensity light that destroys the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce. These purifiers are often used in medical facilities, food processing plants, and other settings where high levels of cleanliness are required. They can be effective in reducing the spread of illness in homes as well.
Air Purifier for Whole House
If you want to clean the air in your entire home, you should consider using a whole-house air purifier. These air purifiers are installed in your HVAC system and filter the air as it circulates through your home. Whole-house air purifiers are an excellent choice if you have a large home and want to improve the air quality throughout your entire living space.
The Aprilaire whole-house air purifier is one of the top picks for whole-house air purifiers. It uses a MERV rating system to filter the air and can remove up to 99% of airborne particles. The Aprilaire whole-house air purifier is also easy to install and requires minimal maintenance.
Different types of air filter for air purifies
The type of filter that an air purifier uses is also an essential factor to consider.
HEPA Filters
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and HEPA filters are known for their ability to capture a wide range of airborne particles. A HEPA filter is designed to capture particles that are as small as 0.3 microns in size, which includes many common indoor air pollutants.
HEPA filters are highly effective at removing airborne particles from the air, including pollen, dust mites, pet dande, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. They can also capture larger particles like mold spores and bacteria.
They are used in a variety of applications, including hospitals, laboratories, and clean rooms.
If you have a family member with respiratory conditions, you should consider using an air purifier that can remove particulate matter from the air. Particulate matter is a type of air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems. HEPA air purifiers are excellent for removing particulate matter from the air.
Carbon Filters
Air purifiers can also come equipped with activated carbon filters, which are designed to remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. These filters work by adsorbing chemicals and other pollutants onto a porous surface, which traps them and prevents them from being released back into the air.
Activated carbon filters are a popular choice for air purifiers because they are highly effective at removing odors and chemicals from the air. They work by adsorbing the molecules of odors and chemicals onto the surface of the carbon filter.
Different types of air cleaners
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers are a type of air cleaner that uses a combination of technologies to clean the air. They typically use a HEPA filter and a carbon filter, as well as UV-C light and negative ions. Air scrubbers are designed to capture a wide range of airborne particles, including mold spores, pet dander, and VOCs.
Air scrubbers are often used in commercial spaces like hospitals and schools, but they can also be used in homes. They are especially useful in homes where there are family members with respiratory conditions or allergies.
Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners
Ozone-generating air cleaners are another type of air purifier that works by emitting ozone into the air. The idea is that the ozone will attach to and destroy airborne contaminants, leaving the air cleaner and fresher.
However, ozone is a lung irritant and can cause respiratory problems in some individuals, so ozone-generating air cleaners are generally not recommended for use in homes. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning against using these types of air cleaners, as they can be harmful to both human health and the environment.
The Main Difference Between Air Purifiers and Air Cleaners
Now that we’ve covered the different types of air purifiers and air cleaners, let’s talk about the main difference between the two: their approach to cleaning the air.
Air purifiers are designed to remove airborne particles and contaminants from the air, while air cleaners are designed to remove contaminants from surfaces and objects in the home. In other words, air purifiers focus on cleaning the air itself, while air cleaners focus on cleaning the environment.
Air purifiers typically use filters to capture particles and contaminants from the air, while air cleaners may use UV light, ozone, or other methods to destroy contaminants on surfaces and objects. Air purifiers are generally more effective at removing larger particles such as dust and pet dander, while air cleaners may be better at removing smaller particles such as bacteria and viruses.
Which Is Best for Your Home?
So which is best for your home: an air purifier or an air cleaner? The answer depends on your particular needs and the quality of the air in your home.
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is likely the best choice for you. HEPA filters are highly effective at capturing airborne particles such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, which can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.
If you’re concerned about mold and other contaminants on surfaces and objects in your home, an air cleaner may be a better choice. Air cleaners can help reduce the spread of illness by destroying pathogens on surfaces and objects.
Ultimately, the best way to improve the quality of the air in your home is to use a combination of air purifiers and air cleaners. This will ensure that both the air itself and the environment are as clean and healthy as possible.
Conclusion
Air purifiers and air cleaners are both effective tools for improving the quality of the air in your home. Whether you choose an air purifier or an air cleaner depends on your particular needs and the quality of the air in your home.
When choosing an air purifier or air cleaner, it’s important to consider factors such as the type of filter, and it’s important to look for one that has been tested in a lab setting. The CADR test measures the air-cleaning effectiveness of an air purifier and provides an objective measure of its performance.
