Types Of Air Purifier

Air purifiers are mechanical filtration systems that can remove unwanted particles – pollution from the surrounding air. It is similar to water purifier that we have in our houses. As like water purifier uses multiple layers to filter water.

We can distinguish Air purifiers in following terms :
1. Functionality
2. Shape
3. Size

Functionally there are basic 5 types of air filters :
1. HEPA Air Purifiers
2. Ionic Air Purifiers
3. Ultra Violet (UV) Air Purifiers
4. Activated Carbon Air Purifiers
5. Ozone Generated Air Purifiers

1. HEPA Air Purifiers

HEPA air purifiers uses a layer of mechanical filter know as HEPA filter. There are several types of HEPA filters like H12, H13, and TruHEPA etc. These filters are different in terms of efficiency and particle removal rate.

HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. HEPA is a pleated mechanical air filter. Regular HEPA removes 99.95% (European standard) or 99.97% (U.S., DOE, ASME standard) of airborne particles from the air. This includes mold, bacteria, dust, pollen, and other items down to 0.1 microns in size.

HEPA has been commercially available since the 1950s and HEPA filters are used in all sorts of applications, not just air purifiers. True HEPA is a term commonly used to verify that a product meets the HEPA standard, because not all do.

HEPA filtration is mechanical, meaning it uses the forced air we mentioned above to pull air through the very specifically designed, finely woven filter. The filter traps particles, taking them out of circulation. HEPA filters become packed with all of those captured particles, and must be changed on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on the size of the unit and the air quality in the space it’s in.

Pros of HEPA Purifiers

Effective purification against the small particulate matter dissolved in the air.
No harmful byproducts during the whole process of air purification
As the filters trap more pollutants, they become more effective in the filtration process
HEPA filter technology can be combined with other air purification technologies.

Cons of HEPA Purifiers

HEPA may not trap gaseous pollutants (VOCs)
The HEPA filters don’t last forever, they require replacement.
HEPA purifiers don’t eliminate the smell from the air.

2. Activated Carbon / Adsorbent Type Air Purifiers

These types of air purifiers are made up of activated carbon or charcoal for the process of air purification. These purifiers are also called absorbents which can trap chemicals and foul smells also. It can purify the air in your home and freshen up the whole atmosphere by eliminating the odors. All toxic airborne pollutants get absorbed into the activated carbon membrane inside theair purifier. The air purifiers of this category use absorbent membranes made up of molecules of activated carbon.

Absorbents attract toxicants and other pollutants from the air through physical and chemical processes. Here, physical adsorption happens with electrostatic forces like van der waals between the molecules and pollutants. While in chemical absorption, the formation of chemical bonds is made to get all toxicants attracted to the absorbent. The physical process is reversible while the chemical process is not.

As the polluted air passes through the air cleaner, the pollutants and other toxicants get absorbed into the porous end of the absorbent material. This releases the clean air out of the absorbent. Hence, air purification is concluded in absorbent air purifiers.

Pros of Activated Carbon Air Purifiers

No harmful byproducts in the air purification
Safe to use in the homes
Can remove pesky smell and VOCs.
The absorbent filters can be combined with the other technologies.

Cons of Activated Carbon Air Purifiers

It is not a stand-alone item or device
Can’t remove small particulate matter from the air
There is an additional cost of pre filters with these purifiers.

3. UV Air Purifiers

These filters or purifiers use the property of UV light to purify the air. The UV light destroys the RNA and DNA of the microbes present in the air. UV lamps are used for the emission of UV light.

How do UV Air Purifiers Work?

The UV air purifier starts its air purification by sucking up pollutant air inside the house. The UV lamp inside the air cleaner emits the UV light, which destroys the microbes in the air. Many airborne pollutants also get eliminated with it. The UV light breaks down the RNA and DNA build-up of viruses and bacteria. The inactive viruses also get killed with the UV light in the air purifier.

Pros of Activated Carbon Air Purifiers

The air purifiers target the airborne pollutants and kill them effectively
Good at anti-viral and anti-bacterial cells removal
Helpful in neutralizing the microbes in the air

Cons of Activated Carbon Air Purifiers

It forms the byproduct of ozone in the air purification process
Only safe wavelengths of UV light are used in these air purifiers

4. Ionizer type Air Purifiers

Ionizer type air purifiers are filterless air purifiers which have an ionic system. Here the ions are used to attract the oppositely charged pollutants to themselves to clean up the air. It can efficiently remove all airborne pollutants.

How do Ionizer Air Purifiers work?

These types of air purifiers do exist but are not recommended for home uses. The ionizers create charged ions which can be negative or positive. These ions then attach to the pollutant surface. After the attachment, the whole ion settles down on the surfaces of furniture, etc. They can be easily wiped down then. However, some ionizers use electrostatic precipitators which do not allow the ions to settle down outside. The cleaning plates are full of such ions which are later wiped down.

Pros of Ionizer Air Purifiers

They are filterless air purifiers

Cons of Ionizer Air Purifiers

Risk of ozone: It may makes Ozone as byproduct which is not good for health
The ions can settle in the surfaces of the home which is no good at all
They are less effective than the other air purifiers
The air purifiers create a mess while purifying the air

AirIQ Verdict

Please don’t buy an ionizer air purifier. They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects as Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations.

5. Ozone Generated Air Purifiers

These types of air purifiers do exist but are not recommended for home uses. Air purifiers with ozone technology remove most of the airborne pollutants from the air. But the health professionals and the government have not recommended its use.

How do Ozone Generated Air Purifiers work?

The ozone generators use the corona discharge or the UV light to remove the pollutants for air purification. Here, it breaks the oxygen molecules and recombines them into three ozone molecules called ozone. This is very harmful to your health. As ozone is highly reactive. This ozone removes the pollutants by altering the chemical composition of surrounding air pollutants.

Pros of Ozone Generated Air Purifiers

In industries, the ozone air purifiers can be useful in killing microbes and disinfect the air
Effective in destroying the biological contaminants

Cons of Ozone Generated Air Purifiers

It creates a large amount of ozone which is not good at all
It does not kill the small particulate matter in the air
The purifier fails to eliminate bad smell

AirIQ Verdict

Please don’t buy Ozone Generated Air Purifiers for home or spaces like clinics/ offices etc. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets. The ozone they produce can have harmful side effects as Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations

The right choice of filters and the right choice of air purifiers depends on the level of air pollution at your space, the area of space, rate of ventilation, air velocity, etc. Consult us at fraction of the cost to check if you need air purifier or not; and if so, which air purifier will stand according to your house specifications.