Air purifiers generally help in alleviating your allergy symptoms by filtering the air within your premises. These devices are great at removing allergies and asthma triggers, such as pollen, mould spores and dust mites. Regardless of how efficient they are in filtering air contaminants, this still depends on certain factors.
The type of air filter matters as well because some (e.g. UV purifiers) are optimised to kill bacteria and moulds, whilst others perform by filtering larger allergen particles, like dust and pollen.
We all want a good purifier, yes, yet how do we know what we’re buying is the right one? As you read along, you’ll know more details about air purifiers.
The Basics of Air Filters
Some air purifiers are made with an ultraviolet (UV) light to wipe out bacteria and viruses, but these types do not completely purify the air in your home. The best thing an air cleaner can do is eliminate small particles that enter through the filter.
A good air purifier with HEPA filter does more than just cleaning the air around you. Air purifiers using HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are designed to filter 99.97% of particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns. This covers all allergens present in the air—pet dander, mould, pollen, dust mites and even small particles from smoke.
You’ll often see HEPA filter air purifiers being used mostly in vacuum cleaners and freestanding air cleaners. However, be keen when you happen to see a label that reads ‘HEPA-like’—it’s not entirely a HEPA filtered air purifier.
The Best Air Purifiers for People With Allergies
When selecting a good air purifier with HEPA filter for allergies, you may want to take into account multiple factors.
- Allergen Removal
It’s important to check your air purifier and see which type of airborne particles it can filter out, and if these set off your allergies. The most ideal air purifier with HEPA filter can combat allergens, such as dust, pollen, pet dander and dust. It can also clean out unpleasant odours and smoke from chemicals, cooking and pets.
- Size of Your Room
Air purifiers are not one-size-fits-all machines; they come in different sizes. Intuitively, you need to define the size of your space to the size of the air purifier you need for that space. You can choose heavy-duty types stationed for long in one room with more people present every now and then or a portable one that you can bring to any room where it is needed.
- Filters
Many air purifiers with HEPA filters come with multi-layered filtration structures, but consider getting the one with a HEPA filter. A true HEPA filter is made of materials like fibreglass, cotton or foam and can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles (including allergens).
On the other hand, filters that are carbon-based are good at filtering larger particles, as well as odours, but are not as efficient when it comes to mould, dander and dust.
- High-Tech Features
Modern technology has paved the way for integrating smart controls in devices, including air purifiers. Such advancement gives you full control in keeping track of air quality around you.
If springtime triggers off your seasonal allergy due to airborne irritants, pick an air purifier with features that can monitor air quality trends, timer to turn it off and identify particulate types it filters.
Air Purifier Vs Humidifier: Which is Better for Allergies?
Both have their own advantages, yet a good HEPA filter air purifier is the optimal solution when talking about allergies. Humidifiers can help your body adjust during allergy season and mitigate symptoms. Meanwhile, air purifiers can get rid of allergens actively from the air around you.
More so, air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters have the upper hand when it comes to eliminating contaminants that can jeopardise your health. As mentioned earlier, these filters can catch not just pollen but also pet dander, mould spores and other particles. Whether allergy season is over, your air purifier can effectively do its job in cleaning the air you breathe.