When whole house air purifiers are attached to the central air conditioning unit, the air intake and main return openings are designed in order to result in efficient air purification.  Most of these purifiers require that a distance of the air intake and return openings are at least situated about six feet from each other so that the reintake of the clean air into the air purifier is prevented.  The airflow draws air into the air purifier and then released back into the main system so that it could be circulated throughout the entire house.  It is recommended that the HVAC system that runs in tandem with the air purifier should have a fan that is turned on to allow for better air circulation.  These air purifiers that serve entire homes are able to achieve air changes of about two to four times an hour.  Those requiring at least six air changes an hour should think about investing in separate air purifier units in each room.  Homes about 2000 to 4000 square feet big should benefit from having a whole house air purifier.

One other particular advantage that whole house air purifiers have is its relatively quiet functioning.  As there is no separate unit inside the rooms themselves, there is no noise to indicate that an air purifying equipment is running.  Most central air purifiers use a combination of filtration methods that clean out the small allergens and pollutants from the air and reduce particulate levels in the air.  These filtration methods would include a pre-filter, a HEPA filter and a post-filter.  HEPA filters remove particulates as small as .3 microns in size.  In some central air purifiers, however, having a fine HEPA filter could hamper the air movement in the HVAC system.  This is why those filters used in some of these air purifiers for whole houses are only fine enough to filter particulates up to 1 to 1.5 microns big.  HEPA filters remain to be more efficient in cleaning out the allergens and pollutants from the air.  Using other purification methods like ultraviolet germicidal irradiation increases the purification effectivity of central home air purifiers.

Weighing only 16 pounds, the Alen a350 air purifier sports a sleek and slim design that could fit even in small spaces.  This air purifier stands at seventeen and a half inches, is eighteen and a half inches wide, and has a depth of eight inches.  Its lightweight construction makes it possible to mount it on walls.  While it could efficiently service the air purifying needs of an eight hundred square foot room, the recommended room size for this air purifier model is an area about 281 square feet with a room height of eight feet.  This air purifier has an all-in-one filter that integrates a washable pre-filter and a post filter.  This filter construction makes it easy to replace the filter by simply removing the front panel and sliding the filter mechanism out.  Only a few seconds are needed in order to complete the task.  Replacement filters for this air purifier costs about $50 to $60.

The Alen a350 air purifier uses a true HEPA filter to clean out most air borne particles up to .3 microns in size.  The pre-filter effectively traps larger particles so that the HEPA filter is protected.  The result is a longer lasting HEPA filter.  There is also a post filter made of carbon-mesh to optimize the equipment’s air purifying performance.  There is also a built-in ionizer which function by the aid of technology of ionic breeze, that could be turned on or off as the user desires.  With these filtration mechanisms, this air purifier does not have to produce ozone in order to clean out airborne pollutants.  Among those that could be cleaned out from the air are common allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and molds.  This air purifier comes highly recommended for those who have severe allergies, asthma, and other respiratory diseases.

The a350 air purifier from Alen is very simple to operate.  It has an LCD digital display with performance indicators like control settings, filter life monitor, fan on or off, and ionizer on or off.  This air purifier runs on four speed settings ranging from a low of 40 cubic feet per minute air flow rate to a high of 225 cubic feet per minute air flow rate.  There is also a 12-hour timer that could be used to automatically shut the unit off after the desired operating time.  One particular advantage that this air purifier equipment gives its consumers is its lifetime warranty.  This, however, could only be valid if the air purifier filters are replaced every six months.

Features

1. Cleans the air of mold, pollen and pet dander in a room up to 800 sq ft.
2. Ideal for large bedrooms or living rooms;
3. Removes 98% of airborne particles;
4. Effective for environment pollutants including odors, wildfires, ash and mold spores;
5. Energy Star Certified;
6. All in one filter: washable pre-filter with an active layer of carbon and our signature HEPA filtration;
7. Low filter replacement costs;
8. Easy to maintain;
9. Meets ETL independent testing guidelines;
10. 4-speed settings & 12 hour timer;
11. Wall-mountable space saving design or can be placed on the floor;
12. Optional built-in ozone safe Ionizer to effectively minimize pollutants Ionizer can be manually turned on or off – produces no ozone;
13. Filter change indicator;
14. Digital display with simple and intuitive touch button controls.

The use of the Blueair 402 filter enables Blueair air purifiers to provide clean breathable air in most medium-sized indoor environments.  The patented HEPA silent filters are able to capture 99.97% of most airborne allergens and pollutants.  Up to .1 micron particles could effectively be trapped by Blueair’s HEPA silent filters.  This includes pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens.  For air filtration of air containing gas, smoke, and odors, there is a specially designed Blueair SmokeStop filter that could be used.  Both the HEPA silent filters and the SmokeStop filters are easy to use and are made of environmentally friendly materials.  This makes it all the more beneficial for those who have respiratory ailments.  The air filtered by the Blueair 402 air purifier is truly clean and free from any particles that could trigger allergic reaction or cause respiratory attacks.

The HEPA silent filter is made of polypropylene.  This is one of the least harmful chemicals around.  Compared to the usual triclosan-coated paper and glass filter fibers that most air purifier filters are made of, this material is safer and is non-toxic.  The HEPA silent filter could be recycled.  It does not release toxins into the air and produces only carbon dioxide and water when it decomposes.  These filters are also waterproof, making it more resistant to contamination from bacteria and viruses.  The SmokeStop filter, while made of the same material, also contains three pounds of activated coconut shell carbon that is impregnated with Potassium Iodide, Phosphoric Acid, and Potassium Hydroxide in equal amounts.

The Blueair 402 filter measures four inches by ten inches by twenty one inches.  It conveniently weighs three pounds.  Blueair air purifier units are equipped with filter change timers that indicate when the filters are in need of replacing.  The soiled air purifier filter could be replaced by sliding it out of the side compartment and then dropping in the replacement filter.  There are no special tools that are needed.  The side compartment could easily be opened by hand.   These air purifier filters could be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the United States.  Blueair replacement filters are not usually shipped together with the air purifier itself to prevent potential damage due to mishandling.

Technical details of the Blueair 402 :

Room Size –      365 Sq. Ft.
Construction –    All steel with baked-on powder coat finish.
CADR –     Smoke 240, Dust 240, Pollen 240
AirFlow :CFM –     75 – 240
Sound Level:dBA –     27 – 51
Air Purifiers Filters –     HEPA, activated carbon
Height –     22″
Width –     20″
Depth –     11″
Weight –     33 Pounds
Power – used on high     70 Watts

To improve air quality indoors, people have invented indoor air purifiers such as the Ionic Breeze Purifier.  Often a family will decide to use air purifiers because one or more members of their household have allergy or respiratory problem and something in the house is triggering their condition.  For example, a wife may be allergic to smoke, and her husband is a smoker.  Or, the family may have adopted a new puppy or kitten and one of the children has asthma.  We are not always ready to part with a chain-smoking spouse, and we certainly don’t want to give up our best friend.   Air purifiers are a great help in these situations.

The Ionic Breeze Purifier is one of the most commonly used brands of air purifier.  Most purifiers use a fan to draw air in and a filter to purify it.   Unfortunately this system causes a lot of noise and requires frequent filter replacement.  Air ionizers offer a convenient alternative: they are quieter and don’t need filters.  Instead they attract airborne dirt and allergens to a charged plate, just as magnet attracts iron.   Aside from being quiet and hassle-free, this purifier is energy-efficient, using only 10 watts of power.  In contrast, a HEPA filter air purifier consumes about 180-250 watts and needs to have its filter replaced often.

However an air purifier is not without possible problems. First, the collector plates must be cleaned often if they aren’t to lose their effectiveness.  Second, those impurities that are charged and attached to walls and appliances can return to the air if not wiped off immediately.  And third, because these devices have no fans, it is argued by some that they can’t purify air more than a few meters away from the unit.  So you may want to use several ionizers.

Another issue raised against the Ionic Breeze Air Purifier is that it leaves small amounts of ozone in the air.  Ozone is a type of gas capable of destroying harmful bacteria and odors.  If you’re going to run the air ionizer constantly, you should be aware of its ozone emission level since ozone can cause breathing problems.

An air ionizer may be good for you if you want more indoor air control but have no serious breathing problems.  Make a comparison of the various types of air purifiers to find the one that suits your needs.

Airborne Particles – These trigger allergic reactions in allergy sufferers, and can irritate normal people’s lungs as well.  Common airborne pollutants are: dust, mold spores, pet fur, plant spores, smoke, pollen, fungi and other tiny particles.

Gases and Smells – Even if you aren’t allergic to pollen or your cat’s fur, you may be sensitive to certain smells.  It could be cigarette smoke, pesticide or the smell of cooking oil.

Volatile Organic Compounds – These are chemical compounds that are a part of various household agents such as paints, adhesives, varnish, disinfectants and even new leather and carpets.   If you’ve ever felt dizzy from being around furniture polish or a newly painted house, this is why.

Micro-organisms – In this category are fungi, bacteria, viruses and other microbes smaller than the eye can see.

An air ionizer such as the Ionic Breeze Air Purifier works by charging particles in the air.  These charged ions combine with the pollutants and allergens in the air and create a (usually) negative charge.  These are, in turn, attracted to a collecting plate that has a positive charge.  If not the plate, the negatively charged particulates will stick to appliances that are positively charged.  The advantage of an ionic air purifier is that it’s quiet and requires no filter replacement.  It can also catch very small particles.  However it has to be cleaned often.  It doesn’t remove bad smells or kill germs but only takes them down from the air.   Users must beware that the Ionic Breeze Air Purifier emits traces of ozone and must follow instructions carefully.

Another common air purifier is the HEPA filter.  It is great for capturing tiny particles like animal dander, pollen and mold spores.  It is ineffective against gases, smells and chemicals.

If your main concern is bad odors, you can use an ozone generator.  Ozone is extremely powerful against bacteria, but may irritate the lungs.

Carbon air filters are quite effective against chemicals, smoke, gases and odors.  But they are useless against allergens like pollen and micro-organisms, so they are often used in conjunction with HEPA filters.

For sensitive environments, one may use UV or ultraviolet light – based purifiers.   The UV rays can kill mold, bacteria and viruses; but without a filter the germs may pass through too quickly.  Also, UV light attracts and kills insects beneficial to man.

Air cleaning experts have designed ways and means to battle this problem. They have invented air cleaning devices intended to remove and control impurities in the air. Air purifiers can be classified into three types which are ionic, HEPA, and ultraviolet. Let us focus on the most common and easily marketable kind of air purifier which is the ionic air cleaner. Not like the other types of air purifiers, ionic air cleaners bond microscopic ionic particles together with the air pollutants in your home. What are these ionic particles? These are the negative ions or molecules that no longer have electrons. That is why ionic air cleaners are also otherwise known as ionizers because they are made with negative ion generators which are responsible in sending out the electrons. Once in the air, it joins together with the positive particles and causes it to become heavy. Due to its own weight, these particles fall and thus remove the air indoors.

What so good about ionic air cleaners? These types of air cleansing purifiers don’t necessarily need regular changing of the filter compared to other filters that require regular replacement since dust particles clog up after continuous use. This makes the machine less hazardous to one’s health. When considering the cost, think also of the price you have to pay if ever a family member gets hospitalized because of the impurities in the air that endanger everyone’s health. Thus, deciding to purchase this product is a great investment already. Not only does it pamper the health and clean the air inside your homes, it would also eventually save you money.

However, there are always imperfections to everything. Ironic air purifier or cleaner has a collection plate where air particles are accumulated. This plate has to be cleaned regularly for the machine to function effectively because if there is poor maintenance, it won’t clean all the allergens from various sources and it can be a hassle. Also, in one of the studies conducted by Consumer Reports, they found out that this device contributes to the detrimental presence of ozone in the air. It releases small amounts of ozone as a result of the ionization method which, when added to existing ozone, can possibly create unhealthy absorption of air.

Nevertheless, the invention of a technology as this is indeed a good contribution in our busy lives, but it still advisable to do our share in keeping the air healthy without being too dependent on machines. Let’s not wait for pollution to build up inside our dwelling places.