Air pollution is a pressing global health concern, and its effects are not borne equally across the world. An anticipated rise in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves and an associated increase in wildfires this century is likely to worsen air quality, harming human health and ecosystems.
Air pollution caused by burning plastics is already known to cause a number of illnesses, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. In fact, it is responsible for 11.65% of all global deaths. This number could increase as the climate continues to change and the conditions that create air pollution become more common.
In the annual WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, Chief Secretary General WMO, Prof. Petteri Taalas stated:
Air purifiers are becoming increasingly important as we face increasing threats from air pollution and extreme weather events. By improving our air quality, we can help protect our health and safeguard our environment. In this article, we will discuss how an air purifier can contribute to an environmentally friendly future, and how to choose the best air purifier for your needs.
What is an Air Purifier? and Why Do You Need One?
An air purifier is a device that improves the quality of air in a room by removing contaminants like dust, pollen, mold spores, and chemical gases. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, with some featuring filters that can be washed and reused. Air purifiers are a great choice for allergy sufferers and people with asthma, as they can help to reduce or eliminate exposure to these allergens. They can also be helpful in reducing exposure to cigarette smoke, pet dander, and other pollutants.
Air purifiers come in a variety of sizes and with different types of filters. The most common type of filter is the HEPA filter, which is designed to capture 99.7% of particles larger than 0.3 micrometers.
The main purpose of an air purifier is to improve the air quality in your home. Furnace air can be stale and laden with allergens, such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help reduce these allergens and improve the air quality in your home.
Air purifiers also come in handy during cold and flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an air purifier to help reduce your exposure to germs and pollutants that can cause respiratory problems.
If you suffer from asthma or another respiratory condition, using an air purifier can help you breathe easier and reduce your symptoms. In addition, if you have a family member who smokes cigarettes, using an air purifier can help protect you from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
It is important to note that no air purifier can completely eliminate all allergens or pollutants from the air. However, using an air purifier is an excellent way to reduce your exposure to these allergens and improve the air quality in your home.
Are Air Purifiers an Eco-Friendly Choice?
Air purifiers are a popular choice for improving air quality in the home, but their environmental impact is an important consideration when deciding whether an air purifier is the right choice. It may seem counterintuitive that a device designed to reduce air pollution could have a negative environmental footprint, however, there are certain factors to consider when determining if air purifiers are an eco-friendly choice.
The lifetime of the product has a major influence on its environmental footprint. The longer a product lasts, the less its other stages of the life cycle – exploitation, raw materials, fabrication, and transportation – contribute to polluting the environment. Therefore, it’s important to select an air purifier designed with durability in mind; this will extend its useful life and cut down on emissions associated with the production of new ones.
In addition to product longevity, energy consumption is another key factor in determining eco-friendliness. Energy used for operating air purifiers must come from somewhere and often comes from sources that create additional environmental concerns such as burning fossil fuels or releasing toxic chemicals into water sources. Installing efficient energy systems like solar power can help minimize these impacts.
When shopping for an air purifier choose one with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter which traps pollutants inside as small as 0.3 microns in size; this will reduce the number of hazardous particles released back into the environment instead of trapping them indoors as some filters do.
Also, look for models that use renewable energy resources such as electric batteries that can be charged via solar power or wind turbines; these will help reduce reliance on nonrenewable resources such as coal or natural gas while still providing clean indoor air. Additionally, check labels to make sure your chosen model uses ozone-safe technology which does not produce harmful levels of ozone during operation; high concentrations of ozone indoors can cause respiratory issues and other health risks.
One aspect of air purifiers that may detract from their appeal to environmentalists is the fact that many models require regular filter replacements – often every few months or so. While some newer models have washable filters that can be reused multiple times over a longer period of time, they still require water and electricity in order to clean the filter – resources that come with their own environmental costs. Additionally, even reusable filters must eventually be replaced due to the buildup of trapped pollutants in the filter material over time.
While it is possible to purchase reusable or even energy-efficient models, generally speaking, it does take energy in order for an air purifier system to operate efficiently – meaning more electricity usage and associated emissions down the line. Fortunately, this concern can largely be mitigated by selecting high-efficiency models from reputable brands that are designed with low power consumption settings specifically in mind.
Overall, taking all these factors into account makes it possible to purchase an eco-friendly air purifier for better indoor air quality without further damaging our environment. It is also essential to be mindful of where we obtain our electricity from and what other materials might be going into manufacturing the devices so we can make sure they don’t have any negative effects on our planet while they’re running in our homes.
How do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers work by drawing in dirty air and then running it through a filter. The filter traps the contaminants, which are then removed from the device. Some air purifiers also use ultraviolet light or ozone to kill bacteria and viruses.
Some air purifiers work by trapping particles in the air, either through filters or electrostatic attraction. The filters can be cleaned or replaced, while the electrostatic attraction can be reversed by running a strong electric current through the unit.
Which Air purifier Type is Suitable for your Home?
There are a variety of different types of air purifiers available on the market. The type of air purifier you choose will depend on your needs and budget.
Mechanical Air Purifiers
A high MERV rating indicates that the air purifier can filter out more contaminants from the air. A higher MERV rating means that the air purifier can filter out even more contaminants from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more expensive the air purifier will be. However, a high MERV rating may be necessary for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.
There are different MERV ratings for mechanical filters, and some filters are rated as HEPA filters. A HEPA filter is one that can remove up to 99.9% of contaminants that are 0.3 microns or larger in size. This makes them highly effective for removing allergens and other contaminants from the air.
Electronic Air Purifier
An electronic air purifier is a device that uses a different process to remove particles from the air. This process, known as ionization, actively removes small particles like gas or smoke and fumes.
Because this process only works on smaller particles, an electronic air purifier is generally only necessary if your home suffers from contaminants like exhaust or smoke.
Another benefit of using an electronic air purifier is that it produces no noise. This makes it a good choice for people who are sensitive to noise or who want to avoid waking up their children at night.
Activated Carbon Air Purifier
Activated carbon air purifiers are a specific filtration technology that uses activated carbon to remove contaminants from the air. Carbon technology has been a favored air purification technology due to its ability to attract pollutants, especially chemicals and odorous compounds, onto the filter.
This air filtration technology works through a specific filtration process that is known as adsorption, which allows the carbon media filter to both chemically and physically attract pollutants to the material. This allows for the removal of chemical gases and odors from the air.
Activated carbon air purifiers work by using activated carbon to attract pollutants from the air. Activated carbon is able to do this because of its ability to adsorb pollutants. Adsorption is the process by which molecules or atoms attach themselves to a surface. In the case of an activated carbon filter, the molecules or atoms attach themselves to the surface of the activated carbon. This allows for the removal of pollutants from the air.
Ozone Generating Air Purifier
An ozone-generating air purifier is a device that emits ozone into the air in order to clean it. Ozone is a gas that is made up of three oxygen atoms, and it is often referred to as “activated oxygen”. While ozone can be effective at cleaning the air, it can also be harmful to human health if it is inhaled in high concentrations.
There are several different types of air purifiers that emit ozone, including those that use ionizers and electrostatic precipitators. Ionizers work by releasing negative ions into the air, which then attach themselves to positive particles. These positive particles are then drawn to an electrostatic precipitator, where they are eliminated from the air. Ozone is produced as a by-product of this process, and it can be harmful if breathed in at high levels.
Another type of air purifier that emits ozone is the electrostatic precipitator. This type of purifier uses an electrical charge to attract dust and other small particles to a collection grid. The grid then traps these particles, and ozone is produced as a by-product. Like ionizers, electrostatic precipitators should not be used in areas where people will be breathing in the ozone they produce.
Ultra-Violet Air Purifier
UV air purifiers cleanse the air by releasing UV-C light, which is a short-wave ultraviolet light. This type of light destroys mold, bacteria, and viruses that are airborne. By reducing the amount of these contaminants in the air, they improve indoor air quality and can help to reduce associated health risks.
UV air purifiers are most commonly used in stand-alone devices or installed as part of a pre-existing HVAC system. As the air is forced through the device, it passes UV lamps which emit germicidal irradiation in an effort to disinfect the air.
One of the main benefits of using a UV air purifier is that it can be an effective way to reduce HVAC efficiency losses. This is because many of the microorganisms that cause problems in indoor air also contribute to the formation of biofilms on heating and cooling coils, fans, and other components inside the HVAC unit.
When these biofilms accumulate, they can lead to decreased system performance and increased energy usage as the unit struggles to achieve the desired temperature or airflow. By reducing the number of microorganisms in the air, UV air purifiers can help to minimize biofilm formation and keep your HVAC filter system running more efficiently.
Types of Air Filters
Here are the two broad categorizations of home air filters
Washable Air Filters or Reusable Air Filters
A Washable air filter is an important part of your home’s air filtration system. Washable filters are made of woven polypropylene media and are electrostatically charged in order to capture more particles. The filters can be rinsed with water or vacuumed to remove any particle buildup. Clean washing helps the reusable air filter perform at its best and keeps your home’s air clean and healthy.
Air filters, specifically washable furnace filter, play an important role in keeping our indoor air clean. Furnace filters come in a variety of types, but the most common are the disposable fiberglass filters and the washable air filters. The disposable fiberglass filters are cheap and easy to replace, but they do not capture as many particles as the washable air filters.
How washable air filters work?
Reusable filters work by trapping particles in the media as the air passes through. The electrostatic charge on the media helps to attract more particles and hold them in the filter. These reusable air filters can be utilized over and over again, but they must be cleaned regularly in order to maintain their effectiveness.
Disposable Air Filters
a disposable filter is a type of air filter that is designed to be replaced after a certain amount of time, as opposed to being cleaned and reused like a washable air filter. Disposable air filters are typically made out of high-quality materials like fiberglass or cotton, and they are able to capture a high percentage of particles in the air. This makes them an ideal choice for people who want the best possible air quality in their homes, but who don’t want to have to clean and maintain an air filter themselves.
Disposable air filters come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to choose the right one for your home. They can be installed in either the furnace or central AC unit, or they can be used as standalone room units. High-quality disposable filters can last for up to six months, which makes them a cost-effective option for air purifiers too.
Washable vs Disposable Filters
Cost
The washable air purifier filter is more expensive to purchase than the disposable air purifier filter, but it has a longer lifespan and does not consume energy. The disposable air purifier filter is less durable and does consume energy.
One of the main benefits of disposable air purifier filters is that they are very affordable. They are also very easy to replace, which makes them a great option for people who do not want to have to deal with the hassle of cleaning a washable air purifier filter. However, frequent replacements become very costly in the long run.
Energy consumption
Washable air purifier filters offer a unique way to save energy and reduce the noise level of an air purifier. Unlike traditional filters that must be replaced often, washable filters can be cleaned and reused multiple times. This not only saves time and money but also reduces the amount of waste produced by air purifiers. In addition, the reduced power consumption enables higher energy ratings while still giving the desired air quality at various speeds.
Sustainability
Washable filters are the most sustainable option overall. They require no resources to produce and can be used over and over again, which reduces waste. Disposable filters typically do not last as long as washable filters and they can be quite harmful to the environment. Washable air purifier filters, on the other hand, are much more sustainable than disposable filters. They last longer cost less in the long run and are easier on the environment.
Durability
Washable filters are generally more durable than disposable filters. They can last for years with proper care, while disposable filters usually need to be replaced every few months.
Why Choose Washable Air Purifier Filters?
One of the primary reasons to choose a washable air purifier filter is that it helps reduce landfill waste. A quality air purifier not only takes up a small space but also effectively cleans up the air in no time. And a washable filter means that you can clean any buildup of dust and pet dander right from the comfort of your home. Naturally, this saves you money and reduces landfill waste.
cleansing these filters is an easy task that anyone can do. Once you remove the filter cautiously, wash it under running cold water for a few minutes and let it air dry. That’s all there is to it.
However, washable filters do not remove odor. To eliminate odors, you’ll need to customize your filter by adding a carbon sheet on top of it. The carbon sheet will act as an additional barrier that traps and removes odors.