How to Tell if Air Purifier is Working

As the quality of air decreases due to different environmental factors, we might need the help of air purifiers at home. If you already have one at home or work, you might be skeptical when it comes to knowing if it works or how to tell if air purifier is working. To fully understand how it helps you and how to tell if an air purifier is working, this article will tell you a few indicators that show you how effective air purifiers are.

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Signs To Notice Before Buying Air Purifier

The primary function of an air purifier is to clean the air surrounding you. Aside from making you breathe cleaner air for a healthier body, it can also help you relieve your allergies. It also helps in ridding your home of unpleasant smells. Because of its many benefits, air purifiers are an investment.

1. Frequent Sneezing

Many pollutants such as dust, pollen, and pet dander can be found in your home. Most air purifiers have HEPA filters and high CADR ratings that remove these allergens from the air. When shopping around for air purifiers, make sure that you are looking at one with a lifetime warranty but affordable at the same time. It would also be helpful to check the kind of filter it has as well as the CADR ratings.

2. Disinfectants and Varnish Stench

Aside from the allergens, your house can also contain volatile organic compounds. Luckily, there are air purifiers in the market that can remove these substances from the air. VOCs are harmful substances found in varnishes, disinfectants, adhesives, and carpeting. You can also find VOCs in household items that contain benzene or formaldehyde. If this is your problem at home, make sure that the air purifier model you are buying is capable of filtering VOCs from the air. Your carpet can also be responsible for trapping particles and pollutants, so aside from owning an air purifier, make sure to clean your carpet regularly.

3. Stuffy and Stale Air

If the air in your home smells bad all the time, the air quality inside must be poor. While an energy recovery ventilator can ease your burden, an air purifier might be the best option. The air purifier can get rid of the foul smell inside your home. There are also models for your home if you find that smoke is the problem.

4. Dust Mites

Do you find that your window is accumulating more dust than usual? Maybe it is time for you to consider purchasing an air purifier, as it lessens the amount of dust you will have to clean. Doing so will prevent buildup. Although vacuum cleaners are the ideal choice, air purifiers can reduce the number of dust mites found in your home. With an air purifier, you will only have to clean the place once a week.

5. Someone in the Family is Sick

Breathing clean air is crucial for someone who is recovering from an illness. Fresher air can help them have better sleep quality. Having a good rest is essential when it comes to the fast recovery of a patient.

6. Snoring

Allergens will not only trigger specific allergies, but it can also congest your airways. Dander and pollen can build up on your airways, making it difficult for you to breathe. An indicator of this is when you start snoring loudly during sleep. With an air purifier, you might find it easier to fall asleep. You will also snore less and have better sleep quality.

7. Someone at Home is an Emphysema Patient

If you have a severe chest condition, you can consult your doctor if buying an air purifier can help your case. With such a situation, the air pollution must be kept at a minimum level, especially if you are prone to second-hand smoking.

Emphysema patients also have airways that are more sensitive than others. Difficulty breathing comes from the pollutants in the air, so the solution is to buy an air purifier that can help clean your air at home. Before purchasing one, make sure to check the product’s rating on the AHAM scale. The higher the rate is, the better it is when it comes to filtering pollen, dust, and smoke.

Common Types of Air Purifiers

Before knowing which air purifier works best, it is also crucial to take note of the different types of air purifiers and how they function.

1. Filters

Also known as air cleaners, some air purifiers work by letting it pass through special filters, removing allergens and particles in the process.  Filters are quite common because most cooling and heating systems already contain them. You can place filters inside the air vents of the rooms. They are usually made of materials like synthetic fibers, fiberglass, cotton, and foam. The thickness of the filter material will dictate the particle size that may pass through.

There are two standards when it comes to the removal of particles from the air. The most common one that you can find is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA), as endorsed by the Department of Energy. The stricter version of the standard is called the Ultra-Low Penetration Air (ULPA). When buying air filters, make sure to check its HEPA standard.

2. Lonizing Purifiers

On the other hand, some purifiers use charged molecules to remove particles in the air. Through corona discharge, neutral atoms in the atmosphere are given an extra electron. Once it is charged, the metal plates inside the purifier will attract the particles, clumping them together for easier extraction.

3. Ozone Generators

This air purifier works much like the previous one. Instead of adding electrons to the particles, it turns the oxygen into ozone. The resulting molecule can disinfect and deodorize the air. However, most experts do not recommend using this air purifier because of ozone’s instability and reactivity to other molecules.

4. Adsorbents

Another common component of most air purifiers in the adsorbent material. Adsorbent materials can trap the particles in its surface without absorbing it. This makes the removal of chemicals, odors, and fumes in the air easier. One of the most used adsorbent material is activated charcoal.

5. UV Light

Using ultraviolet radiation, the microorganisms in the air are rendered harmless and sterile. When you are shopping around for air purifiers, you may find that some of them have UV light features. It is helpful when it comes to the elimination of airborne viruses and bacteria.

How to Tell if Air Purifier is Working

An air purifier is not a complicated appliance to have at home. However, there might be times when you are doubting whether it is working or not after turning them on. Once you find yourself searching the internet on ways to “How Do I Know if My Air Purifier is Working,” here are a few tests you can try.

1. Checking for Circulation

One of the most natural methods to check its operation is to see the airflow. You should also remember that some air purifiers adjust the fan depending on the pollutants it can detect. If your air is already clean, the purifier may only produce little wind, making them energy-efficient.

If you feel a light breeze from the vents, then the air purifier is working correctly. The fan should also make minimal noise. Once you notice that it is loud, you can check it for obstructions and contaminant buildup.

Although the air purifier should not be loud, it should still be able to make gentle whirring noises. If either of the problems occurs, it might be time to call the manufacturer.

2. Monitoring the Filter Indicator

You can also check the performance of the air purifier by checking its filter service indicator in the app or on the device. Remember that the lights blink at specific intervals. It is not necessarily an indicator of your air purifier malfunctioning. Once the light comes on, check the filters first and tend to the issue.

3. Checking the Filter

Another way to monitor the performance of your air purifier by yourself is to see the filter regularly. You can easily see the pre-filter and the HEPA filter if it already needs replacement. If you find hair, debris, and dust on the screen, then you are sure that the device is working. However, it is crucial not to let it clog up.

You can clean the pre-filter by yourself, but you will need help from a professional when cleaning the HEPA filter. If you are not careful enough, the collected bacteria and fine dust can be released into the air. Make sure to check the filter regularly, as soiled filters can hinder your device’s capacity to purify the air. The usual time for replacement is around six months.

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4. Using an Indoor Air Quality Monitor

Although most air purifiers come with a built-in monitor, it may not be as accurate as you want. It will not help you measure whether or not your unit is effective in cleaning the air. To test the quality of air at home, you can try using an air quality monitor independent from the one found in your device. These little gadgets can help you get a reading of the air quality in an instant. Knowing the quality of the air at home can help you gauge if your air purifier is performing as it should.

An air purifier is an essential appliance at home because it improves the quality of the air you breathe. If you are not sure if your unit is working well, there are a few factors to consider. Your air purifier might not be one that is fit for your home. Nevertheless, it is crucial to know how to tell if an air purifier is working so that your money for the appliance is not gone to waste.

If you find that these tips are not enough, it might be better to contact the manufacturer of your air purifier for a replacement.