It's vital to know when to use an air purifier, as the air I breathe has a significant impact on my quality of life. The air in my homes can be even more important, as this is where I spend the most time.

An air purifier can help to remove allergens, odors, and other irritants from the environment. This article will discuss when it's appropriate to use an air purifier and how they work to improve your home's indoor air quality.

But where to start?

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers operate by filtering the air that passes through them, removing particles and chemicals that can irritate the eyes or lungs. Breathing clean, fresh air is important for good health¹.

Air purifiers are typically categorized by how they treat the air: either capturing pollutants inside a filter, chemically reacting with airborne contaminants for sterilization, absorbing gasses into water-based solutions which are then evaporated out of the unit, or passing it over filters made from substances such as carbon foam, zeolite³ and activated charcoal made from coconut shells.

The most common type in use today is an electrostatic precipitator (ESP)^⁴ because these devices have fewer moving parts than other types of purifiers do. This makes them more reliable for long periods.

ESPs use electric charges to cause particles in the air to clump together and then fall through a filter.

How Fast Can an Air Purifier Clean the Air in a Room?

It's impossible to tell how fast an air purifier will be able to clean the air in a room. The filtration rate depends on the number and size of particles in a given space, the room's air volume, and other factors.

The effectiveness of an air purifier also depends on the type of filter it uses.

For instance, a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)^⁵ filter captures particles in size range of 0.12 to 0.003 microns, which include allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mite debris, as well as microscopic organisms.

Microscopic organisms can cause infection or disease such as mold spores or bacteria found inside homes with water damage and animal infestations.

An ionizer is another common feature many people look for when buying an air purifier because it's often touted to freshen indoor spaces by releasing negatively charged ions into the environment.

These airborne molecules attach to positively charged particles like smoke, pollen, and dust.

It's important to consult with a professional before deciding on the perfect air purifier for your home's needs because not all devices are created equal.

For instance, while ionizers can have an odor-removing effect in some homes, they may make respiratory problems worse in others or cause electromagnetic interference when using electrical appliances such as televisions nearby.

When Should You Consider Using an Air Purifier?

There are many factors to consider before purchasing any home appliance. Still, it's important to think about the specific needs of your household because they vary from person to person.

In general, if someone has allergies or chronic illnesses worsened by poor indoor air quality, then a purifier could certainly benefit them.

This would include people with asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)^⁶, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

For the most part, these devices can be used at any time and in all seasons because they don't require a change of filters to function properly.

However, it may be beneficial to run an air purifier 24 hours per day if someone is highly sensitive to allergens during the high-pollen season.

It's also important for anyone who spends long periods in enclosed spaces such as cars, airplanes, and buses should consider purchasing one so that their breathing is never compromised.

Use an Air Purifier When

• You have a pet with allergies or asthma; you've been around someone who smokes; there is an odor from cooking, pets, or strong household cleaners.
• Outdoor sources like wildfire significantly pollute the air, soot from forest fires or volcanic eruptions, smoke from agricultural burning^⁷; there's an unusual amount of dust in the environment.
• You have severe allergies to pollen and other allergens.
• You're recovering from illness - especially lung diseases that make breathing difficult such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma.
• The air quality where you live causes discomfort for people with chronic sensitivities to pollutants or those who are sensitive to odors.

The need for air purifiers can also depend on your location. In some cities, outdoor air quality is more polluted than in other areas or seasons.

This is because they are near sources like coal-fired power plants, large manufacturing facilities, and congested urban areas where traffic fumes create a lot of pollution that moves around as an invisible gas.

Things to Keep In Mind When Using an Air Purifier

If the air purifier has an ionizer, it may emit ozone. The best way to know if this is happening and decide whether you should unplug your device is by asking a professional from the store where you purchased it or contacting customer service at the manufacturer's website.

Depending on what type of filter they have, you will need to replace filters as needed, which can be costly over time for those who do not own their home like renters.

If you have asthma, it's good to clean your air purifier with a vacuum cleaner or brush attachment before each usage.

Be sure to read the instructions for the proper use and maintenance of the device, such as how often filters should be changed due to allergies, pet hair in carpeting, pollution levels outside during high pollen season, etc.

Check if any safety certifications^⁸ indicate what type of particles this product is designed for, like smoke elimination from cigarettes or cooking odors.

This will help you choose which one would best meet your needs, without purchasing something too powerful or not enough power at all.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

If you want to breathe easily, then it's time to invest in an air purifier. Air pollution is a growing concern for many people who live and work near busy roads or factories where vehicles emit harmful fumes into the atmosphere.

The good news is that there are now affordable options on the market that can help clean up your indoor environment by removing dust particles from surfaces like furniture, floors, and walls, as well as pollutants from the air you breathe at home. 

I trust that you are now equipped with the knowledge to know when to use an air purifier in your home.

Learn more with our reviews on air purifiers!