4 Questions to Consider When Buying an Air Purifier
Air purifiers have a multitude of uses, from removing foul odors to cleaning allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and gasses from the air. In recent months, air purifiers have been found to be effective at capturing the SARS-CoV-2 virus (1) particles from the air – this capability depends on the type of filter. With so many air purifiers on the market, the process of researching various brands can be daunting. There are a few key things to consider when making your selection to help you find the right product.
What size air purifier do you need?
Are you looking for a large facility solution, or are you purchasing just for one room? Are you open to buying multiple air purifiers for different rooms in your office, hotel, or doctor’s office, or do you need something portable you can move from room to room? The size of the space you’re trying to clean will impact the devices you consider.
Additionally, you should consider if the actual size of the physical air purifier matters to you. If you have a lot of foot traffic, you may want something you can put up on a table or out of the way. Similarly, some purifiers’ physical design may make them more likely to tip over, which can be dangerous if placed in a busy public space. Some devices work well when placed in the corner of a room, while others will function better in a more central location.
What are you trying to improve about the air?
There are several traditional types of filters within air purifiers that have pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking to improve about the air quality in your facility. Feel like you have a funny odor? Look for something that has a carbon filter. Worried about outgassing from your purifier? Stick with a mechanical purifier.
The most common types of traditional purifiers include:
- HEPA Filter: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters effectively filter up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 300 nanometers. These filters work well for dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particle pollutants. Be cautious of HEPA-like alternatives if you are shopping for this type of filter.
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ULPA Filter: More effective than HEPA filters, Ultra-Low Particulate Air (ULPA) filters are a type of mechanical filter that can capture up to 99.999% of particles down to 100 nanometers.
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Activated Carbon Filters: Activated carbon filtration can be effective at removing smoke, cooking odors, or harmful VOCs from the air in your space.
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Electrostatic and Ionizing Cleaners: This genre of air purifier emits negatively charged ions which attach to floating pollutants, causing them to fall to the ground, effectively removing them from the air.
- Ultraviolet Air Purification: As the name suggests, these filters use UV light to destroy some airborne viruses and bacteria. They are often combined with other filter types and may generate ozone as a byproduct. Prolonged exposure to ozone can be harmful, though some manufacturers claim they are ozone free.
In addition to an oversized activated Carbon Filter and a Pre filter to capture larger particulates and gasses, the G200 also includes a patented Core Filter that is unique to Celios and is not available in any other air purifier. Using only mechanical filtration the Celios G200 three filter system allows the device to produce cleanroom quality air in small rooms – whether that be an office space, hotel room, dorm room, or even restaurant. It can capture up to 99.99999% of particles and can filter materials down to 10 nanometers. That’s up to 3,000 times more effective than HEPA standards (and can capture particles up to 30 times smaller).
Do you have specific allergies or environmental factors affecting the air in your space?
If there are specific allergens or airborne particles you’re trying to eliminate, that could largely influence what products would be best. Similarly, if you live in an area where storms are common, or your region is prone to wildfires, that could also inform your shopping.
If you're looking to remove allergens from the air, specific purifiers are designed to remove these pollutants from the air. For chemical sensitivities, you may want to consider a model that prioritizes chemical filtration and does not off-gas any chemicals as it cleans. As outlined above, some combination of a carbon filter and mechanical filter will offer the best protection against both particles and gases – without producing harmful substances as a byproduct.
What features do you need?
Beyond the science of the purification, there may be certain special features or extras that you or your patrons are looking for. We already mentioned that the mobility of the device might be an important factor if you’re looking to move one device around your facility. With its two Smart Lithium Ion batteries, the Celios G200 can run up to 24 hours unplugged, so you can take it wherever you go.
Other features to consider include if the device has a remote, if it is wifi-enabled, or – if you’d like to go full smart-mode – if it is compatible with Alexa. Many devices also offer adjustable fan speeds or night mode for a more incognito experience.
(1) The Celios G200 Advanced Air Purifier meets the performance and labeling requirements provided in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s March 2020 Enforcement Policy for Sterilizers, Disinfectant Devices, and Air Purifiers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, published March, 2020 (the Celios G200 Advanced Air Purifier has not been cleared by the FDA). Specifically, the Celios G200 Advanced Air Purifier has demonstrated up to 99.99999% filtration efficiency of ultrafine airborne particulate matter and is capable of filtering particles down to 10 nanometers in size. The Celios G200 Advanced Air Purifier has also demonstrated up to 99.99999% virus filtration efficiency of ΦX174, a small bacteriophage virus with a maximum diameter of ~32 nanometers.
The G200 Advanced Air Purifier is not intended to prevent or protect from any form of illness or disease (or otherwise). To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not use this fan with any solid-state speed control device. Unplug or disconnect the appliance from the power supply before servicing. The appliance is only to be used with the power supply unit provided and it must only be supplied with voltage corresponding to the marking on the appliance. Do not operate any fan with a damaged cord or plug. Discard fan or return to an authorized service facility for examination and/or repair. Do not run cord under carpeting. Do not cover cord with throw rugs, runners or similar covers. Do not route cord under furniture or appliances. Arrange cord away from traffic areas and where it will not be tripped over. Do not allow children to operate the G200 Advanced Air Purifier or play near the G200 Advanced Air Purifier. Only plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet. Do not use outdoors. Do not immerse the G200 Advanced Air Purifier in liquid and do not handle the G200 Advanced Air Purifier with wet hands. Do not insert a finger or foreign object into the airflow openings. Do not use the G200 Advanced Air Purifier in toxic or explosive environments or where flammable or combustible gases are present.