Air purification systems can be a great addition to any home.

Whether you're concerned about allergies, pet dander, pollution, or want cleaner air in your living space, an air purifier is an ideal solution.

But where to start?

This article will discuss the three main types of air purifiers and go over what they do and how much they cost.

Types of Air Purifier

There are several types of air purifiers:

Ionic Air Purifier: Ionic air purifiers use an electrical charge to create ions. These ions attach themselves to airborne particles and pull them off of the walls, furniture, etc., where they have landed so that they are then removed by a vacuum process or sucked away by fans in the filter system itself.

This means that the air you're breathing is cleaner as well as suitable for people with allergies who suffer from reactions like sneezing, itchy eyes/nose, or throat irritation when exposed to dust mites or pet hair.

Ozone Generator: An ozone generator¹ releases an invisible gas into the air and breaks it down to form unstable oxygen molecules, which in turn oxidize odors, allergens, and other pollutants inside your home.

This type of purifier can be costly because it requires a special piece of equipment called a "generator" or "ozonizer."

The good news is that they work quickly, so they only need to run for around 20 minutes at a time before shutting off automatically.

Charcoal Filter: The simplest type of air purifier has only a charcoal filter inside it which can be very effective at removing odors and very small particles.

Suitable for people with allergies who suffer from reactions like sneezing, itchy eyes/nose, or throat irritation when exposed to dust mites, or pet hair, or for people who want to remove odors from a space.

UV Air Purifier: UV air purifiers use a beam of high-energy light to kill viruses and bacteria floating in the air before they can settle on surfaces. It's most effective at combating airborne things not so much those which have settled on furniture or walls.

In general, ionic purifiers tend to be more expensive than their counterparts and do an overall better job because they can remove smaller particles from the surrounding environment and allergens like pet hair and dander.

However, if you only need your purifier to combat issues like odors or dust mites, a charcoal filter will be sufficient and much cheaper.

What Type of Home Air Purifiers Suits You?

If you have allergies and are concerned about dust or dander, an ionic purifier is the best choice. For those with allergies who suffer from reactions when exposed to pet hair, a charcoal filter² may be enough.

If your main concern is removing odors smoke or other smells that linger in the air after cooking, for example a UV purifier would work just fine. It's important to remember that air purifiers can't remove everything.

Pollution from cars or factories will not be removed by an ionic filter, for example, although they do help with indoor pollutants like cooking smoke and paint fumes.

It should also be noted that UV lights can cause skin cancer if you're in their range of illumination without wearing a protective shield (they emit UVA rays which is what causes the majority of incidents), so it's important only to use these types of air purifiers near the floor and not in a living space.

If you're looking for an affordable option, charcoal filters work great and can be found at various prices depending on what size is needed for your space.

Selecting the Right Home Purification System for You

The homeowner must consider the size of their home and whether or not they want a unit that is effective at removing odors, allergens, bacteria/viruses, or all three.

If you're worried about any of these things, it may be worth investing in an air purifier with multiple filters to cover as many bases as possible. Most brands will have at least one type of filter to address this need.

The right air purification system for your home can make all the difference in how clean and fresh you constantly feel and it's important to have a good indicator as well.

For example, like an accurate reading on indoor pollutants or carbon dioxide³ levels that may be given off by different types of filters, to ensure that the air you're breathing is as healthy and clean as possible.

How Much Does an Air Purifier Cost?

The cost of a purifier will depend on the type and model you're looking at. On average, ionic models can start at $100 or so for smaller ones while UV-based versions typically range from $500 to more than $1500 depending on size and features.

Charcoal filters tend to be the cheapest option but are not as effective against allergens⁴ like pet hair or particles.

It's important to note that most purifiers come with an additional cost for replacement filters, which can be anywhere from a few dollars up to the hundreds depending on the size and type of filter used, so you'll want to keep this in mind when looking at the price tag.

How Often Will You Have to Replace Your Air Filtering System? 

The lifespan of filters varies considerably by what they are designed to remove and how effective those particular models happen to be at doing so.

Some consumers may need a new filter every two months, another might only need one every six months.

Some models, like ionic filters, remove particles from the air and can last a year or more while UV-based purifiers require new bulbs every six months to maintain their effectiveness.

You'll need to determine how often you plan on using your filter before deciding if it's worth investing in one with a longer life span for replacement costs that are potentially higher than other types of filters available by the same brand.

That's why it's recommended to research the cost of filters before investing in a purifier. Take some time to find out how often you'll need new ones so that you can budget accordingly.

Can You Wash Your Air Purifier?

Some purifiers are easier to maintain than others. Ionizers, for example, make it easy because they only require dusting and a quick wipe down of the filter every so often.

This however, may not work as well with high levels of dirt or particles in your home's air quality that will clog up the ionizer over time.

UV-based filters need replacement bulbs when their light fades, which can be less expensive and means more frequent purchases at around $30/bulb on average.

Charcoal models must be replaced after about five years, while HEPA⁵ filters should last between three and six months before needing to be changed out (depending on how much you use them).

If you want to save some money on replacement filters, look for a unit with an ionizer or charcoal filter and see if you can skip getting the HEPA model though this will depend on your individual needs.

Remember that it's always best to have at least one dedicated air purifier in any room, as not all models are designed to cover multiple square feet of space.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

If you're considering purchasing an air purification system, it can be helpful to know what kind of filter is best for your needs.

For example, if you have pets that shed lots of hair or allergies run in the family, a HEPA filter would work better than a carbon one because they remove more particles from the air and odors and gases.

There are many other factors to consider when selecting an air purification system, so it's important to do your research and figure out what you need to address in your home.

To learn more, we recommend checking out our reviews on air purifiers.