Portable Air Cleaners Provide Clean Allergy Free Air

Most people spend more time indoors than outdoors.  The quality of indoor air is therefore every bit as important as the quality of air outside.

Unlike the air quality in the general environment which has been improved over recent times because of wider community activity, controlling the quality of air in our homes is an individual responsibility – and relatively few people recognise the importance of doing so.

In fact air quality in our homes may be considerably worse than that outside.   The Environmental Protection Agency checks on household air quality and has found that in the average urban home there is roughly twice as much pollution inside than outside.

The reason for this is that we have become very good at sealing our homes from the outside, primarily to prevent heat loss.   Our well insulated homes prevent natural ventilation and any fumes that we produce stay in the home – and we produce quite a lot of ”pollution”.  Much of this we would not label as pollution, but nonetheless it is just that.   Innocent pollution from cooking stays with us along with more obvious toxins such as cigarette fumes and chemicals that are given off from cleaning materials.

Air fresheners often simply mask smells – and spraying another “pollutant” into the air is no solution and does nothing to improve air quality.

If we do not want to return to more frequent and more natural ventilation  - which may be no solution at all in many urban areas - then we must turn to other ways to control this pollution.   The use of portable air purifiers is the most effective way to control indoor air pollution.

With portable air cleaners able to remove up to 99% of the allergens that provoke an allergic response it is possible to make a very significant improvement for allergy sufferers such as those with bronchial problems and allergies such as hay fever.

Relief from hay fever comes from removing the air born pollen grains from grass, weeds, trees and flowers and the dust that comes from cutting grass.   These are comparatively large particles when compared to the much smaller particles that are captured very effectively by a good quality air cleaner, kept in good condition.

A good quality portable air cleaner will also capture are other air born particles, such as dust, dust mites, the minute particles shed from feathers, hair and skin of pets which cause an allergic reaction for many people.

For those whose allergic reaction is particularly distressing and who are highly sensitised, then it is only when in a room with clean air that they experience respite from their condition.

Whole House Air Purifier or Portable Air Cleaner

Whilst the cost of a “whole of house” air purifier is too high for most budgets.  Furthermore the way in which they work means that they cannot deliver the degree of effectiveness achievable by a portable air cleaner.   Whole House air cleaners recycle some of the air in the house, but often the return air ducts are few in number, perhaps only one, and situated near to the furnace or air conditioning unit, and not necessarily where the air pollution problem is most acute.   Hence the places with highest pollution problems may have little of its air cleaned.

In contrast a portable air purifier can be placed precisely where it is most needed and can be most effective.    It is also a much more affordable solution.

Using a Portable air Purifier

There are different types of portable air cleaner including HEPA systems, other washable filters, ozone ionizers and electronic air cleaners.  Each has a different system for cleaning the air and each has its strengths and weaknesses which I will elaborate upon in forthcoming articles.   There are however some things which you should follow regardless of the type of air cleaner you decide upon.

Firstly choose the correct air cleaner for the size of the room.   Clearly room sizes vary  tremendously and it is important that the air cleaner is not placed in a room that is bigger than that for which it will work effectively.

The ability to move an air cleaner from place to place as needed is an advantage, and if you intend to do this, and in order to provide future flexibility of usage you should buy an air cleaner that is appropriate for the largest room it might be will be used in.   As a minimum you should buy an air cleaner that is rated to cope very comfortably with the room where you intend to first use it.

The main advantage of portability is not necessarily to move it from room to room, but rather to be able to position it more precisely where it will be more effective and efficient.   However do not buy a unit with the intention to place it in a common area, such as a hallway, and then expect it to properly clean the air in nearby rooms.

The best position in the room for an air cleaner is where air circulates more freely and not, for example, behind large furniture or where air circulation will be restricted.  It should also be positioned close to the source of any pollutants and also in those areas of the house that are most lived in or occupied by those family members most effected by poor air quality.

For example if a family member is affected by pet dander, then the air cleaner might be placed close to the dog basket, or alternatively (or as well) in that family member’s bedroom.  This may mean the purchase of more than one air cleaner.

Keep windows and doors to rooms with purifiers closed as much as possible – other than when “airing” the room with windows wide open.

In addition to keeping the unit well maintained and in good condition, a big difference can be made to air quality by ensuring general house cleanliness, and by using a good quality HEPA vacuum cleaner at regular intervals.

Choosing a Portable Air Cleaner

Important considerations are its effectiveness at removing those pollutants of most concern to you, its noise levels in use – this can be a source of irritation and unless quiet might restrict its use or placement and compromise its effectiveness.   On-going running costs and maintenance costs will also be important as there can be a large difference between models, depending on the type and quality of the unit purchased.

Further articles will follow on Choosing the Right Portable Air Cleaner.