What is an air purifier?
Reference! An air purifier is an indoor device that is a filter system that can absorb small particles floating in the air: dust, pollen and even unpleasant odors.
It consists of several filters, and the more there are, the higher the quality of cleaning.
Despite this, any purifier is a small device that takes up little space, does not require special care and performs a very important function in the apartment .
The simplest devices, miniature, of low power and without additional functions, belong to the budget category and cost from 1990 rubles.
The cost of a multifunctional air purifier, which is capable of purifying the air in a room of up to several tens of square meters, reaches 100 thousand rubles.
AIC Airincom XJ‑4100
The air purifier from AIC is equipped with a pre-filter mesh to remove coarse dust, fur and hair. There is also a plasma filter inside, which attracts smoke, fumes and dust particles with an electrostatic charge.
The formaldehyde filter copes with various gases and volatile organic compounds at the molecular level. This model also ionizes the air. The maximum area of the room for processing is 30 m².
Price: 10,299 rubles.
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In what cases is it needed?
Ideally, every apartment should have an air purifier.
Exhaust gases, tobacco smoke, dust in the air - all this leads to the fact that a person does not breathe clean air, but polluted air, which causes various diseases.
Note! In some cases, an air purifier is a necessity. It is recommended to have it in houses where they live:
- Small children;
- aged people;
- people with allergies and a tendency to allergic reactions;
- people with chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis).
Residents of large cities, those who live on the ground floor, near roadways, also need the device : it protects against small particles that adversely affect health.
BALLU
BALLU is a brand owned by the Russian company Rusklimat. This brand produces a series of powerful, high-performance breathers with wide functionality. Depending on the model, devices of this brand can be equipped with an air heating unit, an ionizer, a flavor, and a UV emitter. BALLU has a recirculation function, which allows you to save on air heating during the cold season. Productivity – up to 200 m3/hour, level of air purification from pollution – 99%.
Types of air purifiers
Air purifiers can be different: from the simplest and miniature to larger ones, equipped with additional options.
Humidifiers and air washers
An air purifier with a washing function works as follows: air enters the device through special blades, mixes with water and, purified, comes out.
All impurities precipitate. This scheme is used in purifiers with hydrofiltration or air washing.
Keep in mind! The device is safe, operates silently, cleans the air well, and maintains normal humidity in the apartment.
The additional ionization function makes the air cleaner and more humid, and ultraviolet and photocatalytic purification help get rid of viruses, mold spores and unpleasant odors .
The efficiency of air purification with such a device reaches 95%.
There is another similar type of air purifier - a humidifier, which works on the principle of moisture evaporation using one of three schemes:
- ultrasonic;
- steam;
- mechanical.
Most modern models of humidifiers are capable of not only cleaning and moisturizing, but also aromatizing the air: for this, aromatic oils are added to the liquid container.
Advantages of appliances with a washing function:
- maintaining a comfortable indoor microclimate;
- removal of small and large dust particles, allergens;
- elimination of foreign odors;
- silent operation;
- safety;
- no need to buy consumables;
- energy efficiency (ultrasonic devices);
- ease of operation.
In addition, such devices are not demanding on water hardness.
Stay up to date! The disadvantages of humidifiers include the following:
- mechanical devices are noisy;
- steam appliances produce hot steam, so you can get burned;
- Steam appliances consume more electricity.
However, steam devices can be used as inhalers, and this is a big plus.
The main disadvantage of devices that additionally humidify the air is the need to regularly replenish the container with water and wash the disks located inside the device every 3-4 days.
Air purifiers with dry filters
Powerful, efficient devices with a standard operating scheme: passing air masses through several high-quality filters.
Important! A dry purifier sucks in contaminated air with great force, working like a vacuum cleaner. For this, the British even called it a “vacuum cleaner.”
The advantages of such a device:
- high power and performance;
- there is an express cleaning mode (if you urgently need to clean the air);
- huge selection of manufacturers and models.
Minuses:
- high energy consumption;
- the need to constantly replace filters;
- noisy work.
Air purifiers with ionization function
The principle of operation of the devices can be compared to what happens during a thunderstorm: the air is electrified and saturated with ozone.
This property has been used as the basis for air purifiers with an ionization function: electrified plates or metal grids attract dust and various other small particles.
You should know! The main advantage of such devices is that they consume even the smallest contaminants: dust, soot, bacteria, allergens.
The advantages include:
- beneficial effects on the body, prevention of respiratory diseases, improved sleep;
- reducing the harmful effects of electrical appliances.
But there are also disadvantages :
- may interfere with the operation of some electrical appliances;
- in rooms with high humidity increases the amount of heavy air ions, which can lead to poor health.
Devices with an ionization function are the most controversial air purification devices.
Some experts still consider them not only useless, but also harmful. Therefore, reviews about them are very contradictory.
Humidifiers: operating principle and technical characteristics
This climate control technology is divided according to the principle of water evaporation into three types of devices:
- conventional (evaporation is carried out using the “cold” method, that is, by passing air through cartridges or meshes moistened with water);
- ultrasonic (evaporate water using an ultrasonic emitter, crushing it into small particles);
- steam (classical method of evaporating water by heating it).
Each of the listed types of humidifiers has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Filter types
The quality of air purification depends not only on the number of filters, but also on their type.
Electrostatic filters
For your information! Such a filter is capable of absorbing even the smallest dust particles (from 0.01 microns).
By design, it is a set of metal plates with metal threads stretched between them.
This leads to the formation of a potential difference and a strong electric field.
The polluted air between the plates is ionized, after which it is attracted to the plates and settles on them.
Ionizers
Ionizers produce anions - negatively charged particles.
They attract harmful substances, bacteria and allergens , which some scientists believe are positively charged, resulting in small clusters of particles.
Remember! At the same time, small contaminants become heavier: they can no longer float in the air, so they settle on surfaces, from where they are removed during wet cleaning.
They cannot enter the lungs during breathing.
HEPA filter
One of the most effective and powerful filters, which is an accordion-folded fibrous material with gaps between the fibers .
The HEPA filter removes even microparticles from the air, including plant pollen .
Translated from English, High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) means “highly effective particle retention.”
Such filters are used in vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, and ventilation systems, and today they are considered the most effective .
Photocatalyst
The photocatalyst carries out complex multi-stage air purification, due to which even dust mites, bacterial and fungal spores are removed from the air masses .
This filter is necessary for people who have allergies.
Reference! The filter design includes a catalyst and an ultraviolet lamp, and there may also be additional structures:
- ion generator;
- plates for creating an electrostatic field;
- carbon filter.
Through the process of photocatalysis, toxic substances are decomposed into water, oxygen and carbon dioxide.
That is why
there is practically no sediment left on the filter, which means it needs to be changed infrequently.
Carbon filter
The carbon filter is a highly efficient fine cleaning device .
It is capable of eliminating the smallest particles of dust, harmful impurities, including gases.
Carbon filters are filled with finely dispersed activated charcoal powder.
It creates high resistance to air flow, so the larger the granules, the better the cleaning.
Keep in mind! Typically, a carbon filter is not present separately in devices.
The air must first pass through a photocatalyst or HEPA filter , since a carbon filter cannot remove eco-pollutants on its own.
In addition, devices with this type of filtration should not be installed in rooms with high humidity, since by absorbing moisture, the device quickly becomes unusable.
Subject to operating conditions, the filter must be changed 2 times a year.
Steam humidifier: the electric kettle principle
It is a device with a water tank equipped with a heater. It has a simple design without replaceable filters and cartridges, and ensures that the heating is automatically turned off when there is no water in the container. This humidifier is suitable for those who need high speed humidification and those who are not ready to spend time caring for the device.
You can use any water for it, without thinking about its special preparation. Other advantages of a steam-type device include the fact that the humidification is actually done with distilled water - mineral salts do not enter the air, remaining on the humidifier filters.
It also has disadvantages - high power consumption and noise during operation. It is not recommended to buy such a humidifier if you have small children at home. The steam outlet temperature is 110°C - there is a risk of getting burned.
What parameters should I pay attention to?
Choosing an air purifier may seem easier at first glance than it actually is.
You should pay attention not only to the filter type, but also to some other parameters.
Room area
In the description of each device there is such a parameter as the volume of air purified.
The device is designed for a certain area, so you should not underestimate or overestimate it.
- If the air purifier is to operate in only one room , you should choose a product that closely matches the area of the room and the characteristics of the device. Such devices are cheaper, more compact and have limited capabilities.
- If the device will be placed in one or another room, you need to focus on the area of the larger of them.
- For very small spaces (for example, a bathroom), a miniature car cleaner is also suitable.
It is worth noting! An air purifier for the entire apartment is a larger and more powerful device.
It can clean up to 50 square meters, and the largest and most expensive ones can clean an even larger area.
Types of pollution
First you need to answer the question for what purpose the device is being purchased.
If “ for prevention ”, so that the room is less dusty and more comfortable to live in, you can take a simpler and cheaper air purifier.
If we are talking about an apartment where people with allergies or asthma live and even the smallest particles (allergens) need to be eliminated, you need to opt for more powerful, effective and expensive purifiers that are equipped with a HEPA or carbon filter.
The capabilities of each device are indicated on the packaging or in the technical data sheet.
Frequency of operation
Stay up to date! The frequency of changing components and cleaning the device depends on the frequency of operation.
So, if the device will work daily without interruption, it is better to choose a replaceable filter , which will need to be changed as it gets dirty (the frequency of replacement is indicated in the operating instructions).
also suitable for daily use.
A device with replaceable filters must have an air ionization function.
If the device is taken for use as needed, for example, once a month, you can take a device with a non-replaceable filter.
It will need to be vacuumed or rinsed under running water after each use.
You should also pay attention to energy consumption: if the device will work constantly, you need to take a low-power air purifier.
Noisy operation
Know! You can take a noisy device if it will be used rarely or only during the daytime when no one is at home.
If there are small children in the apartment who need a lot of sleep, or the work schedules of household members do not coincide, it is important to choose either a device that operates silently or has a “night mode” function.
The quietest are photocalytic air purifiers and ionizers, as well as devices without a fan.
Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier Pro
The performance of this floor cleaner is 500 m³/h, it is equipped with a laser particulate detector and an OLED display with a three-color indicator light. The maximum room area for efficient operation of the model is 60 m².
The device circulates air around the room, capturing dust, PM2.5 particles, formaldehyde and other harmful substances. For cleaning, Mi Air Purifier Pro has a primary filtration mesh, an effective HEPA filter and triple carbon. The laser sensor detects contaminants as small as 0.3 micrometers in real time.
You can use the MiHome mobile application to control the purifier. It will help you monitor changes in air characteristics, set a schedule for the device’s operation, and adjust the mode to the area of the room.
Price: 17,962 rubles.
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Additional functions
The cooler and more modern the air purifier, the more additional functions it has.
It can be:
- regulator of the intensity of operation of the device;
- possibility of remote control using a remote control;
- display for displaying information about operating modes;
- automatic mode (the device turns on at a specified time and activates the selected parameters and modes);
- control from a smartphone;
- detectors that determine the level of pollution and select the optimal operating mode;
- aromatization or inhalation function;
- timer.
Ultrasonic humidifier: creates mist without heating
The choice of fans of modern technology is a humidifier with an ultrasonic evaporator. It uses a “cold” method, so the device is completely safe to use. It sprays water into microparticles using high-frequency sound vibrations, turning it into fog.
Such a device is beneficial due to its low power consumption (within 30–40 W per hour), lack of noise during operation, and automatic regulation of humidity in the room thanks to the built-in hygrometer. Such devices, as a rule, have a number of additional functions - aromatization, light source, ozonation, etc.
Ultrasonic humidifiers also have disadvantages - they are capricious in terms of the water used (as a rule, distilled water is required), as well as the need to periodically clean or change the cartridges. If you pour ordinary tap water into it, then as it evaporates, a white coating – mineral salts – appears on the hard surfaces of the room over time.
Price categories
Budget air purifiers , which have average power and are suitable for cleaning a small area, do not have additional functions.
But, in general, they do their job well; they can cost from one and a half to 5-6 thousand rubles.
Devices in the mid-price category are suitable for frequent use , have decent characteristics and are chosen most often.
It is devices for 8-15 thousand rubles that are usually found in apartments.
Premium class products are suitable for heavily polluted premises , including industrial buildings, private houses, and large apartments.
Need to know! Their cost varies from 15 to 100 thousand rubles and is determined by power, efficiency and the number of available functions and modes.
If the device will be used with average frequency in an ordinary apartment, it is better to focus on options in the middle price category.
OXY
The manufacturer of this brand of breathers is a Russian company. The OXY breather line includes three models – OXY, OXY2 and OXY3. These devices are distinguished by their compact size (246*326*125 mm), the ability to operate in “natural” ventilation mode and cost-effectiveness. Other advantages of OXY breathers include the ability to smoothly adjust the air supply speed, as well as the modularity of the equipment - having installed OXY, you can change it at any time to a more functional model, simply paying the difference in the cost of the devices.
TOP manufacturing companies
The highest quality devices are produced by both those companies that are widely known all over the world (for example, Tefal, Philips, Polaris), and those that many have not heard of (Ballu, Atmos, Timberk).
The Daikin brand specializes in premium air purifiers created using innovative technologies.
As a rule, devices have a stylish design, a large number of additional functions, and the possibility of remote control, but they are expensive.
The most popular models:
- Daikin MC70LVM;
- Daikin Ururu MCK75JVM K.
The manufacturer Bork has patented a unique Green 360° filter system.
Note! This system consists of an enzyme filter with antibacterial impregnation and a carbon filter with a catalytic element.
Best models:
- BORK A802 RAIN;
- BORK A804;
- BORK A704;
- BORK A503;
- BORK A803.
One of the best well-known manufacturers is Philips . Most often, devices use a HEPA filter, which cleans the air very well.
The Philips AC3256/10 model is in demand with a mode for monitoring the concentration of allergens in the air, a touch control system and light indication of the degree of air pollution.
Panasonic's F-VXK70R air purifier with humidification is one of the best among both its brothers and competitors.
It is equipped with several filters, Green Tea Catechin filter layer with antiviral effect and nanoparticles that attract allergens, viruses and small dust particles.
TION
The series of breathers of this brand includes such models as TION Lite, TION O2, TION 3S. Even in the basic configuration, this device includes everything necessary for effective ventilation and air purification. It is characterized by low noise during operation (only 18 dB at first speed). It can be equipped with filters - from simple dust to a full set of filter elements (charcoal filter, prefilter, G4 and HEPA H11). Productivity – up to 140 m3/hour, can work in passive mode (without electricity), controlled via Wi-Fi (model TION 3S).
