The mold, mildew, allergens and other airborne dust particles in your home can make you and your family ill if inhaled in sufficient quantities. Polluted air can irritate respiratory systems, aggravating health disorders such as asthma, allergies and COPD. The use of a quality air cleaner can help you maintain a cleaner home by eliminating many of these irritants. But what should a customer look for when shopping for a new air purifier?
When you’re selecting a home air cleaner model, you may feel overwhelmed. With so many models available, which one is right for you? Here are a few important things to know when you making your decision.
First, you need to know the CADR for any air filtration machine you may purchase. The CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, and it rates the amount of air that can be filtered effectively by the unit in a certain amount of time. There should be a CADR rating for each of the following air pollutants: pollen, dust and smoke. The higher the number, the faster the filter can remove this type of pollutant from your room’s air.
Secondly, it’s important to look for a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. A HEPA filter traps dust and other particles as small as 0.3 micron within the unit. Make sure that your new air cleaner has a true HEPA filter with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating between 17 and 20.
Finally, check if the model of air purifier you’re considering is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation The new “Asthma and Allergy Friendly” certificate is not available on many units, but if you find it, you can be sure that the air filter effectively will reduce airborne allergens.
Some consumers are wary of ozone-producing units. Studies have found that ozone can be a lung irritant.
For expert advice on finding the perfect air cleaner for your home, please contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We’ve been serving the Dayton and Springfield areas since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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