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At Abt Electronics, we understand the need for air purifiers in your
home. Air purifiers have become popular in recent years because studies
have shown they reduce the risk of allergies and help asthma sufferers.
Air purifiers also filter indoor dust, smoke, and other contaminants.
We carry high-quality air purifiers from top brands like Sharp and Bemis.
Before purchasing an air purifier you should be aware of the different
types to choose from. You should also be aware of the many features air
purifiers have to offer. We have created a Glossary (see below) to help
with some questions you might have concerning air purifiers and their
features.
There are three basic types of air purifiers: Mechanical, Electronic,
and New Hybrid, which is also called Turbulent AirFlow.
Mechanical air purifiers are the most popular air cleaners. They
use fans to draw air through a series of filters. Pre-filters trap large
particles, while carbon charcoal or HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate
Air) filters trap smaller particles and help eliminate odors.
Electronic air purifiers do not rely on filters to clean air.
They electrify pollutants to collect them in various ways. There are three
categories of Electronic air purifiers:
- Electrostatic models: Particles drawn into a chamber by a
fan are ionized (charged) with positive electricity and then are attracted
onto negatively charged aluminum collectors as the air leaves the cell.
- Electret air purifier: A special filter--the Electret--is
charged with static electricity; the charge attracts particles entering
the purifier, and the particles cling to the filter.
- Negative-ionizing purifier: This charges the air inside it
with negative electricity, creating ionized molecules that cling to
the particles. The purifier's fan blows the particles into the room,
where they are attracted onto walls and other surfaces.
The turbulent flow precipitator, a new hybrid mechanical purifier,
consists of two air spaces in a metal box, which is attached to central
heating or a cooling duct. Air flowing through the upper air space is
filtered through filter sheets in the lower space.
It is important to know that while most air purifiers remove smoke, combustion
particles, fine dust, and some biological contaminants from indoor air,
they do not remove gases such as carbon monoxide and radon, viruses, and
some odors like tobacco. And while air purifiers can remove most allergy-causing
particles from the air, many of these particles settle onto surfaces fairly
quickly, which can undermine the purifiers' effectiveness as allergy-fighters.
Air Changes per hour
Indicates how many times, per hour, the air purifier is capable of completely
re-circulating the air within a room.
Air Flow Control
This feature allows you to control the direction of the airflow that has
been "purified" by your air purifier.
Area of Effect
The area of effect is the recommended room size for which the purifier
can effectively filter air.
CADR Seal
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) certifies air purifiers
with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) seal. If an air purifier has the
CADR seal, it has undergone independent laboratory testing. The CADR is
a number that indicates the volume of filtered air from an air purifier.
The seal will have three numbers: one for Dust CADR, Tobacco Smoke CADR,
and Pollen CADR.
Carbon Filter
Carbon Filters are generally used as pre-filters to eliminate odors. They
are much less effective at removing particles than the other types of
filters.
Electrostatically Charged Micron Filter
This type of filter ionizes particles that are to be removed from the
air so the air purifier can pick them up easily.
EMF System
The Enhanced Media Filtration (EMF) system uses a media filter and a high-energy
field to remove particles.
Filter Monitor/ "Replace Filter" Indicator
A light that automatically illuminates when the filter needs to be replaced.
Filter Types
The most common type of filter that air purifiers use is a HEPA filter,
although few purifiers use their own proprietary technology. Other types
of filters include Electrosatically Charged Micron Filters, Carbon Filters,
and ULPA filters.
HEPA Filter
High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration (HEPA) is the most common type
of filter used in air purifiers, and is the type used in most hospitals.
HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles from the air.
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