When it comes to improving indoor air quality, air purifiers and ionizers are two popular options. But what's the difference between them? Air purifiers use HEPA filters to trap particulates, while ionizers emit electrically charged particles to remove pollutants from the air. In this article, we'll explore the differences between air purifiers and ionizers, their effectiveness, and which one is best for your home.Air purifiers use HEPA filters to trap particulates inside a filter, making it necessary to replace the filter regularly. Ionizers don't have filters because they emit electrically charged particles to remove pollutants from the air.
Air purifiers and ionizers use different technologies to clean the air. While air purifiers remove particles from circulation by trapping them, ionizers simply make them heavy enough to fall to the floor, meaning they still need to be cleaned and can be easily altered and reintroduced into the air.An ionizer is an air purifier that disinfects the air by emitting negative ions, while an air filter filters the air. In short, ionizers help eliminate particles that make us sick, such as viruses and bacteria, and air purifiers help eliminate particles that make us sneeze, such as dust and pollen. Ionic and HEPA air purifiers are designed to improve indoor air quality.
They are different in their effectiveness.Generally speaking, air purifiers and ionizers serve the same function: they clean the air and remove allergens and pollutants. For that reason, it is important to weigh the positive impact that an ionizer can have on the level of particulates in the air with any damage it could cause to health by producing ozone. In contrast, air ionizers take advantage of the chemical properties of ions to remove particles and microbes from the air. Ozone air purifiers are only sold as commercial air purifiers, since the state of California does not allow them to be sold to consumers.So what's the best way to improve indoor air quality? The easiest and most cost-effective way to improve air quality should be with an HVAC air filter rather than a standalone unit.
Whether you have breathing problems or just want to improve indoor air quality, you may want to consider buying an ionizer or an air purifier. Because they remove a much smaller range of particles, air ionizers may not be as effective in eliminating allergy and asthma triggers. We often see this in car air purifiers and it's not what you would expect from an air purification system.Air ionizers perform a similar task, except that they purify the air in the room by creating negative ions that attach to allergens, which have a positive charge and help impurities to settle on the floor. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that air purifiers with HEPA filters (high-efficiency air particulate matter) can hypothetically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria.
Many of these particles are known to be irritants that can aggravate allergies and asthma, but they can be removed from the air with an air purifier.So which one is better for your home? It depends on your needs. If you're looking for something that will remove allergens from your home quickly and effectively, then an HEPA filter-based system is probably your best bet. However, if you're looking for something that will reduce odors or disinfect your home without producing ozone or other harmful byproducts, then an ionizer may be a better choice.Ultimately, both types of systems can help improve indoor air quality if used correctly. It's important to do your research before making a purchase so you can find a system that meets your needs and fits within your budget.
