Combining Features To Make a Great HEPA Air Purifier

There are various reasons someone might seek a HEPA air purifier for their home or workplace. Something as simple as an offensive odor that you just cant seem to get rid of may have you looking for a permanent fix.  For some of us it may be a pollen allergy or a sensitivity to dust.  For others it might be a pet and the dander that comes along with them that is causing the problem.  There are those who are not necessarily trying to relieve a symptom, but may be taking a preventative measure against the toxins that are spread throughout our homes.  Yet another offender we seek defense against are the always feared viruses and bacteria.  The good news is that these days a HEPA air purifier can tackle all of these issues with remarkable efficiency.

Multiple Filtration Types

One strategy that engineers at top air purifier manufacturers are using is to combine several types of filters or air treatment technologies into one purifier.  In some cases the simply strategy of including a pre-filter helps by trapping larger particles before they reach the HEPA filter effectively prolonging the life of the filter.

Another common design is to use an activated carbon filter in conjunction with a HEPA air filter.  While the HEPA filter traps most of the particulates, the carbon filter helps to adsorb and neutralize the tiny gaseous toxins and odor causing compounds that the HEPA filter can’t get.

The sum is often greater than the parts

When it comes to tackling bacteria and viruses, there are a couple options. Some HEPA filters use chemicals that are laced into the filter matrix to kill trapped pathogens. A HEPA filter is capable of trapping just about all mold spores, most bacteria and some viruses.  The alternative is a HEPA air purifier that uses a UV light inside to alter the pathogen’s DNA rendering them unable to reproduce and thus harmless.

Ionizers are in common use today and serve to charge particles and make them easier to trap when passing through the filtration system. In addition, these particles cling together and become heavy enough to fall out of the air. While this is typically seen as a plus because the particles are no longer airborne and can’t be inhaled, it also means depending on how contaminated the air is, you should vacuum and dust flooring, furniture and walls more often. Popular models by Alen and Blueair use this technology which ultimately increases their filtration efficiencies. All models we feature that use an ionizer are reviewed here.

There are many models available today that combine several of these features to yield a thorough and effective product.  There are then of course all sorts of other features like timers, air quality sensors and remote controls which can add to the convenience and efficiency of a given unit. You will ultimately want to take all of these factors into consideration before making a decision.

I would advise you to figure out exactly what it is that you are seeking from your air purifier (which often begins with assessing your health problems) and begin doing a little research and reading some detailed reviews until you decide on the model that will best suit your needs. A great example of purifier that employs several filtration technologies is the Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier which features 7 different methods of improving the quality of your indoor air.