how to improve indoor air quality - small air purifier

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Your windows may be spotless and the floor may shine, but for millions of adults and children with allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases, the house is only as clean as the air.
Although it is hard to believe that indoor air may be five times dirtier than the air we breathe outside, exposing us to carcinogens including radon and formaldehyde, as well as daily lungs --
Pollen, mites, pet dandruff, and a variety of particulate matter from burning candles or cooking.
Judging from the rising trend in sales figures, Americans are increasingly turning to portable air purifiers, paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars to reduce indoor air pollutants and snot, sneezing, coughing, they can trigger asthma attacks.
However, whether the air purifier can improve its health remains to be discussed.
"There is no good science for air purifiers," said Norman Edelman. D.
Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association.
"When used properly, it has been shown that they can reduce allergic symptoms moderately.
However, data on reducing asthma attacks are not clear.
"The Environmental Protection Agency assessed the energy consumption of the air purifier for its Energy Star program, but carefully issued a disclaimer on its health benefits: "While some household air cleaning equipment may be useful in some cases, EPA has no broad recognition of their use.
According to the agency, the best way to avoid health problems caused by indoor air pollution is to control or eliminate the source of pollutants (
For example, by banning smoking at home)
Ventilate the home with clean outdoor air.
There are several types of air purifiers including ionization, UV and filter-based.
At CR, we test portable filters
The most common model-based model. (
We don't usually test models that only use static electricity.
Dust collector or ion generator technology, both produce ozone-
A gas that smells fresh but proves to be a stimulating substance in the lungs. )“Filter-
Dave Trezza, a CR test engineer, said: "The machine based on the air purifier is very simple, it uses a fan to pass the air through a filter that captures particles . " Dave Trezza is in charge of the air purifier lab. HEPA filter-
It is said that "up to 99 sets" were captured based on the purifier ".
Allergens and pollutants of 97% "are as small as about 0.
3 microns, about the size of fine dust and smoke particles.
To test them, we blow smoke and fine clay dust into a closed chamber and then measure the speed at which the purifier clears the air.
We tested the best models to effectively remove smoke and dust at high and low speeds.
This means they should also be able to capture larger amounts of pollen and mold.
But once pollen and mold spores fall on the floor, nothing will clear them except for a good vacuum. Filter-
Gas cannot be captured based on air purifiers, so they do not protect you from some of the most dangerous indoor air impurities, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, radon and volatile organic compounds.
Unless they have a carbon filter, they will not clear the smell of your home, so the smell will remain the same even if cigarette smoke has been filtered out of the air.
Portable air purifiers can't even reduce the frequency of allergic symptoms or asthma attacks.
But if you try to keep allergens and other contaminants out of your home, the air purifier can help you further reduce allergens and other contaminants.
Running one in the bedroom of a child with asthma is definitely not going to get hurt and may even have some benefits.
If you decide to buy an air purifier, please check our full air purifier ratings and suggestions and keep these things in mind when considering which one to buy: CADR.
This represents the "clean air delivery rate" and represents the filtered air volume delivered per unit.
Most air purifier packages will show three CADR numbers, one for dust, one for smoke and one for pollen.
"The higher the number, the faster the unit filters the air," Trezza said . ".
"Look for more than 250 CADR.
Anything below 100 is not very effective. ”Room size.
Manufacturers claim that their air purifiers can clean rooms of a certain size, usually in square feet or small, medium or large.
But in our tests, we found that many models were unable to clean the room of the size claimed on the box.
For best performance, please select one of the models we recommend for large rooms (
350 to 650 square feet)
, Even if you intend to use it in a smaller space.
"We recommend that you buy a large device to run at a lower, quieter speed," Trezza said . ". Energy Star.
Models with this familiar blue logo are 40% more efficient than models without a blue logo
Energy Star models
This is an important consideration for devices that people tend to run 24 hours a day. HEPA filters.
Many air purifiers have an efficient air filter that captures very fine particles.
Some devices also use pre-filters to capture particles in larger Air, which can save you money by extending the life of the HEPA filter. (
For important cost considerations, see "cost of clean air" below ". )
Help may be in your home if your home depends on coercion
Heating and cooling of air (
Like most newer families)
According to Trezza, an effective and efficient way to improve indoor air quality is to upgrade the filters of the system.
This is due to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
The system cycles the entire volume of air in your house, sucks it in through the air intake, filters it, and distributes it to each room through pipes.
But to turn your HVAC system into an air purifier, you may need to modify it a little bit.
Most HVAC systems have 1-inch-
Thick filters designed to protect mechanical work only;
Converting the system to a special filter that holds 2 to 5 inch thick will capture more impurities.
You will need to pay a fee unless you are convenient
The time cost of installing a new, larger filter housing between the return air channel and the air inlet.
Depending on your system and where you live, the cost will be different, but HomeAdvisor, the website that compiles the cost of house renovation and repair, sets the national average price at around $1,500.
In the laboratory, CR experts unanimously found that the thicker the filter, the better the effect of reducing impurities, and the lower the frequency of replacement.
"These thicker filters are better for you and your HVAC system," Trezza said . ".
Our recommended HVAC system filters are best at removing dust, pollen and smoke without hindering air flow.
"These filters will clean all the air in your home, but only when the system is running," Trezza said.
"HVAC systems with thicker filters do not require special attention.
"As long as the filter is replaced every three months or as recommended by the manufacturer," Trezza said . ".
"Be careful not to put it back, which may reduce the flow of air.
"The annual cost of replacing the filter we tested ranges from $20 to $130.
Editor's note: The article also appeared in the November 2017 issue of Consumer Reports.
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