Do House Air Purifiers Really Work?

Research has shown that filtering air can help remove harmful particles from indoor spaces, particularly allergens, smoke and mold. However, air purifiers work best in combination with proper filtration and home cleaning techniques. Air purifiers are effective at reducing particles in the air. Some types can have health benefits for people with allergies, asthma, and other conditions.

However, there are many factors to consider when choosing the most effective air purifier. HEPA filters are the most researched to support them and can filter extremely small particles. In Auto (similar to medium; the air does not contain a particle counter to adjust to air conditions, but instead asks you to enter the approximate size of your room, after which the machine chooses a fan speed that Molekule deems appropriate), the air performed worse, reducing particles by 0.3 microns at only 18.0% (ambient) and 26.4% (clean). In Silent, it performed even worse, reducing 0.3 micron particles by 6.5% (ambient) and 7.2% (clean).

And in Dark plus Auto, with its primary PECO purification system turned off and its fan at the equivalent of a medium setting, it reduced them by 21.3% (ambient) and 18.0% (clean). Interestingly, those numbers closely reflect our results in automatic configuration with the PECO system activated, suggesting the possibility that the Molekule Air depends mainly on its physical prefilter, not its patented PECO mechanism, to remove particles. Air purifiers are designed to remove contaminants from the air. This includes allergens, dust, spores, pollen and more. Some purifiers also capture or reduce bacteria, viruses and odors.

However, not all units will be able to do so. If you answered yes to the above points, an air purifier is a good option. Some products sold as air purifiers intentionally generate ozone. These products are not safe to use when people are present because ozone can irritate the airways. Do not use ozone generators in occupied spaces. When used in concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological contaminants.

In addition, there are other things happening in your home that can affect effectiveness, such as ventilation (windows open or closed) and new particles that constantly emerge, so the air may not be as filtered as the claims lead you to believe. The Air Purifier 6 performed very well, as you would expect from a machine with a clean air supply rate (CADR) of 325 cubic feet per minute. The purpose of an air purifier is to filter and disinfect these indoor air pollutants, chemicals, and allergens and improve air quality. One possible reason the air performed worse than background reduction is that your fan agitated the air and prevented particles from settling. Research shows that this type of air purifier can remove chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and toluene from the air. Research shows that HEPA air purifiers can reduce indoor toxins produced by 3D printers, although it is most effective if the filter is integrated into the printer itself. The lifespan of an air cleaner will depend on the particular make, model and level of air pollutants. The idea is extremely attractive because the air does not stay only in one room but flows throughout the house. Air purifiers will remove dust and other particles from the air but they will not remove dust or dirt from surfaces. Many air purifiers work through a filtration system to remove particles from the air and recirculate clean air.

These ionized air molecules then bind to airborne particles and give them a charge encouraging them to bind and create larger particles that may be easier to filter or large enough to deposit in air. Research has shown that HEPA filters are very effective in removing fungi, mold and other allergens from indoor air. In fact our years of testing have shown that any properly sized purifier will distribute filtered air evenly in the farthest corner of a room. Scale Practical Evaluation of a Photocatalytic Air Purifier Equipped with a Titania-Zeolite Composite Bead Filter for VOC Removal and Viral Inactivation.