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But ultimately, we spend far more time in our homes than in public spaces.
So it makes sense to focus on having clean air quality there, too.
They may also appear as gases, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
So reducing them in the air we breathe makes sense.
Which is why thebest air purifiersare increasingly popular.
But how do air purifiers work, and are they truly effective?
Read on as we answer these questions, and explain how to find the right product for you.
How do air purifiers work?
The basic principle behind air purifiers is pretty straightforward.
These filters are designed to trap 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.
To give you a sense of scale, a human hair is typically 50-70 microns in diameter.
So we’re talking about very tiny particles here indeed.
Do air purifiers work?
The million dollar question is:doair purifiers actually work?
The answer is yes, in some circumstances.
Even in the best case scenario, though, air purifiers arenota cure-all for indoor air quality issues.
Firstly, they cannot remove all pollutants, particularly those that have settled on surfaces.
This is a measure of how quickly the purifier can clean the air in a given room size.
Look for a CADR that’s at least two-thirds of the room’s area in square feet.
For example, for a 300 square foot room, you’d want a CADR of at least 200.
Secondly, think about yourroom size.
As we mentioned earlier, HEPA filters are the gold standard for particle removal.
Look for ‘True HEPA’ filters, which meet the US Department of Energy’s standards.
If this is a concern, check thedecibel ratingbefore you buy.
Finally, consider whether you needadded features.