Top 8 Air Cleaner Myths You Are Not Supposed To Know About

Myth #1. Permanent air filters are effective

Truth

Permanent filters will never be as effective as replaceable ones. The filters get clogged with dust, bacteria, other particles and become less effective overtime. Washable pre-filters are a good air that prolongs the life of HEPA filters, but they will never do the job as good as a quality filter that is regularly replaced.

Remedy

Find an air purifier with affordable replacement supplies. Always, when choosing an air cleaner, find out the price and replacement frequency of its filters, UV lamps, power consumption.

Myth #2. Ozone is safe for our health, it even helps relieve asthma attacks

Truth

Ozone is also an air pollutant that needs to be removed from the air you breathe. Although it is effective in fighting a number of pollutants, including odors, chemicals, bacteria etc., ozone generators tend to emit harmful substances into the air. This is why it is advisable to air the room every time after using an ozone generator.

Although ozone is used in asthma treatment, but it is done in clinics, under strict medical surveillance. High concentration of ozone in the air can, vice versa, cause severe asthma attacks, throat irritation, watery eyes, coughing and other problems.

Remedy

Use ozone generator in cases when it’s needed to remove odors and chemical pollutants fast. Make sure to air the room after switching it off. If you are buying an air purifier with ozone technology, make sure the ozone generator is an optional feature.

Myth #3. Fan-less air cleaners are effective

Truth

Advertised as quiet air cleaning alternatives, air cleaners without a fan simply don’t move the air inside of your room. If the air does not move, it, obviously, does not get clean.

Remedy

To find a quiet air purifier model, ask to test an air purifier before buying it, if you are buying offline. You can also check its noise level, usually indicated in decibels (18db=whisper, 80db=heavy street traffic). Also, look for brushless fans, they are usually more quiet.

Myth #4. Expensive air purifiers are the best

Truth

It is possible to find really good devices to suit any budget. Expensive air cleaners are advisable only for those who have health problems associated with air pollution. But even a small portable HEPA air purifier for $40 will make a noticeable difference in the air you breathe.

Remedy

If you find out exactly what type of air pollution is present in your house, and what air purifying technology is most effective against it, you won’t need to spend extra money for features you don’t need and that don’t solve YOUR problem. Go get your free air purifier report to get the answer about which air purifier is the best for YOUR situation, YOUR pollution type, YOUR health issues and YOUR budget.

Myth #5. You should choose an air purifier according to the square footage of your room.

Truth

Most manufacturers give their square footage recommendations for an empty room. Furniture in your room prevents the free air flow, thus increasing the requirements for your air purifier. Besides, most square footage recommendations are based on 6-7 foot ceilings, higher ceilings mean additional requirements.

Remedy

If you have any of these aspects that increase the square footage requirements, remember that you need a device with higher square footage capacity than the actual size of your room: high ceilings, open spaces (rooms without doors), strong air flow in the room, heavily furnished space.

Myth #6. Air purifiers are for those who have asthma, allergy or similar diseases.

Truth

For people with these illnesses air purifiers are an absolute necessity. But every one of us can benefit from them. With the horrible indoor air quality in most modern buildings (see indoor air pollution), it is important not to leave the entire heavy-duty filtering job to your lungs, which can’t be replaced as easily as a filter.

Myth #7. An air cleaner is an easy decision to all indoor air quality issues.

Truth

An air purifier, no doubt, is a key point in maintaining a healthy indoor environment, but if your indoor air is constantly filled with new contaminants, they won’t be able to do proper job in purifying the air you breathe.

Remedy

Try to remove or modify your major pollution sources, deal with mold and pests, clean the house regularly, avoid introducing new contaminants (read more in How to protect yourself from indoor air pollutants).

Myth #8. “HEPA-like”, “99% HEPA”, “HEPA-type” technology is the same as a true HEPA filter.

Truth

A real HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can remove at least 99.93% of airborne particles 0.3 micron in diameter. But be careful if you see any of these variations in the technology name, it means the device hasn’t been accredited for its effectiveness and doesn’t correspond to true HEPA standards.

Remedy

Carefully read the device specifications and features, trust only quality brands that have proven themselves on air purifier market.