Choosing the correct air purifier
There are many reasons for choosing an air purifier. It may be that you suffer from health problems caused by airborne particles. Asthma is one such illness which is very common, Hay Fever and Allergies also affect large numbers of people. Other common uses are to reduce the smell of tobacco smoke, chemical fumes (VOC's), traffic pollution or perhaps just for reducing dust levels in the home.
By using a purifier you minimise the risk of causing or exacerbating your allergies or health issues. But you can’t simply assume that the most expensive purifier is the best. Some purifiers are better at trapping some types of pollutants than they are at trapping others, unfortunately it is not a one size fits all situation. We have carried out a lot of the legwork over the last 30 years or so to help our customers understand which air purifiers work best for specific pollutants. Below is a helpful summary linking to some of the best air purifiers in each category.
Asthma Currently there are roughly 5.4 million people in the UK who are being treated for asthma; 1.1 million of these are children. The NHS spends £1 billion each year treating asthma and 1.1 million working days are lost due to it. If you suffer from asthma, it is beneficial to look for an air purifier that will destroy microorganisms, bacteria and viruses along with all other allergens and pollutants. Airfree air purifiers all have this capability and in many cases are preferable to Hepa Filter purifiers for asthma sufferers. You can see our full range of Air Purifiers for Asthma here.
Pet Allergies Many people are allergic to pets. Surprisingly it’s not pet fur which causes the reaction but the actual pet dander - an ultra fine powder of dried pet saliva. When this power gets into our eyes and airways those who are allergic suffer sneezing and itchy eyes, nose and pallet. Choose a life time Hepa filter, it will remove pet dander from the air, and because it’s a lifetime filter you will not have to buy a new one. You can see our full range of Air Purifiers for Pet Dander here.
Hay Fever With one of the highest rates of hay fever in the whole of Europe, Britain is a country that really suffers during the summer. Many are aware that hay fever is caused by pollen particles carried in the air, but what you might be surprised to hear is that indoor air often is just as contaminated with pollen. Filter air purifiers will trap pollen particle and remove them from the air quickly as long as you choose wisely for your room sizes. Recent developments have seen a surge in wearable air purifiers which can offer much more immediate relief from Hayfever by directing the purified air directly over your facial area. See wearable Hayfever units here and the full range of Air Purifiers for Hay Fever here.
Chemicals Sensitivity Chemical sensitivity is a chronic condition which is thought to be caused by the body being unable to break down and detoxify all the chemicals it is exposed to. Headaches, rashes, asthma and rhinitis are commonly reported complaints from this condition. There are many different chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners and fumes in carpets and furniture which can trigger these complaints. In order for an air purifier to deal with chemicals effectively, the purifier you choose MUST have carbon in the filter. Carbon is the only type of filter which will remove these chemicals. Choosing a basic Hepa air purifier that has little or no carbon in the filter will not work. In this instance the chemicals will simply fly straight through the hepa filter unrestricted. The most prolific machines for dealing with chemical sensitivity are manufactured by Swedish air filtration specialists Blueair or medical grade solutions from Airgle which contain more carbon than any other brand we know of and are considered to be amongst the very best in the world. You can see our full range of Air Purifiers for Chemical Sensitivity here.
Mould & Dust Mite Allergies Around 20% of people are allergic to dust mite faeces. Dust mites can thrive in home and work environments and allergies can cause severe symptoms in some people, including rhinitis and eye problems amongst other things. The particles responsible for the allergic reaction are actually so tiny that many of them pass through low grade Hepa filters. You can see our full range of Air Purifiers recommended for Mould and Dust Mite Allergies here.
Smoke and Odour Second hand smoke can be particularly severe for those with asthma not to mention the fact that it has the potential to cause many dangerous diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease. If someone in your home smokes, or if there is an odour of smoke you should look for an air purifier with a Hepa filter and a carbon filter inside. You can see our full range of Air Purifiers for Smoke and Odour Removal here. We hope we’ve guided you through how to choose the right air purifier, please feel free to call for further advice on 01207 507444.