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Which is
better, an air cleaner or a air purifier? The quick
answer is a air cleaner has a filter which air is drawn
though and the air purifier uses other technology and
processes like ozone, ionization, catalytic oxidation and UV
to purify the air.
Lets look at a
HEPA air cleaner first. Most use a 3 to 5 stage filtration
system. Air from the area is drawn into the air cleaner with
a motor where it goes through a pre-filter to remove the big
stuff, then a carbon, carbon mix or carbon cloth to
remove odors and VOCs and finally a HEPA rated filter.
Some of the more advanced HEPA air cleaners also incorporate
a UV system in the air cleaner.
Air purifiers
on the other hand use ozone and ionization to clean the air.
They do not filter the air. Ozone purifies the air by
oxidation, that is when ozone meets a pollutant in the air
it attaches itself to the pollutant and changes it into
harmless compound. Eventually, it will oxidize or neutralize
(destroy) it. You can tell if a purifier is using ozone
because it has a certain odor to it. Some people think it
smells fresh like it does after a lighting strike while
others are reminded of the copy machine.
Ionization is
a process where voltage is applied to a series of built-in
needles, newer models use radio frequency, creating
electrons which are discharged into the air. When these
electrons attach air molecules, ions are formed. These ions
are dispelled into the room where they attach to dust,
pollen, cigarette smoke and pet dander to form larger
particles, which then fall from the breathing zone. However,
these particles are now on the floor, furniture, walls and
any other surface they can stick to. Good news is your not
breathing the particles, bad thing is they will become
airborne again once you stir them up.
Which One
Is Right For You - Cleaner or Purifier. A lot depends on
what your trying to do. If you just want cleaner air, nobody
has allergies or asthma and your not worried about smoke,
then any HEPA air cleaner or air purifier will work.
If you suffer
from allergies or asthma then a HEPA air cleaner is your
best bet. A quality HEPA air cleaner will remove pollens,
mold, dust mite, dust and other allergens from the air. They
do not produce any ozone which is especially bad for people
with any type of respiratory problems.
If chemicals,
volatile organic compounds (VOC), gas or bacteria are your
concern then several manufactures make air cleaners
specifically designed for these problems. both Airpura and
Allerair make specialized machines.
The only time
I would suggest an ozone/ionization air purifier is where
you are concerned with cigarette or cigar smoke and/or other
odors. Ionization drops smoke from the air like a rock and
ozone can get rid of the smell. In some cases both types of
systems are beneficial.
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