Monday, March 2, 2009

Going Shopping For Handy Advanced Air Purifiers

By Chris Channing

Air purifiers have long been around, aiding families keep contaminants out of the air. Advanced air purifiers go a step further and take more out of the air that may cause illness, allergies, or other negative effects. They aren't cheap, however, so knowing what to buy is important.

Air purifiers work based on filters. It isn't uncommon to see the average air purifier have three or more filters, all geared at trying to remove particles from the air that are unwanted. The first filter on an advanced air purifier is always the pre-filter, that is able to get larger particles out of the filtration process so as to not clog the more advanced filters with simple dust. This pre-filter saves money in the long run, as it enables advanced filters to run cleaner for long periods of time.

Typically, the next filter will be a HEPA or SuperHEPA filter. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. HEPA filters are able to clean over 99% of particles from the surrounding air, making them a key choice in air filtration. The SuperHEPA filter expands upon this efficiency, and further improves the filter's ability to remove harmful pollutants.

Organic Fiber Sterilization, or OFS, is another type of filter that usually precedes more delicate filters. The OFS filter is sometimes considered optional in filter design, but it is quite useful in removing bacteria, mold, or spores from the air. This alone may account for preventing disease or illness that one would otherwise catch from airborne contaminants. The filter is usually placed behind a pre-filter in order to save it from wear and tear.

It isn't hard to obtain such described filters- even today's modern vacuums have them! Filter add-ons are now being placed on vacuums in order to do a two-step cleaning process. The vacuum removes dirt from ground sources, while filters work to keep the air clean. These filters aren't as powerful as stand-alone systems, and also aren't working around the clock to remove contaminants. Regardless, it's good to find a vacuum with this option to do its part in providing a safe environment.

Some see an advanced air purifier as an investment that pays for itself. While that may be so, other costs need to be factored in to see if it is a worthy investment or not. The filters used in air purifiers can be costly- sometimes costing $50-$100 each year to replace. The electricity the systems take to power the fans and electronics will also amount to a moderate level over a year's time.

Final Thoughts

Advanced air purifiers lead to healthy lives for all family members- they are highly recommended by health professionals. This is especially the case for allergen sufferers, who need clean air free of allergens just for simple tasks such as breathing in peace. - 15343

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