Much of this comes from the fact that modern homes are being built much “tighter” for energy conservation purposes and as a result fresh air does not find its way into these homes unless the windows are open for ventilation (something not too feasible during winter).

This results in stale air that is more prone to have pollutants from the very materials used to build our homes along with bacteria, viruses, pet dander, carpet fibers and molds. This is why more people get sick in the winter than they do in the summertime, we are cooped up inside with air that rarely gets refreshed.

To help reduce these indoor pollutants you can get an air purifier to clean and filter your air. These devices work by drawing in the dirty air and cleaning it either through the use of a filtering system or through the use of ionic technology and then emitting the cleaned air back into the room.

Most air cleaners have fans and several filters like a HEPA filter (which works well for those with allergies) and a charcoal filter that need to be replaced so if you opt for this type of purifier be sure and check the fan for acceptable noise levels and factor in the ongoing costs of maintaining it.

You might be in for a shock when you see how much these air cleaners truly cost over time when you see how often you must replace the filters and how much they cost. On higher end models the filters can be cleaned so you can save some money if you can afford to spend a little more upfront.

The newer type of air purifier on the market has no moving parts and uses ionic technology to cause the air to be drawn into the cleaner where contaminants cling to electrically charged metal plates.

These units often cost more initially than traditional filters but the ongoing costs is much lower than the traditional air cleaners as the metal collection plates just need to be rinsed off periodically. Also, since there is no fan in these purifiers they use less electricity which can save a fair amount of money over the years.

Some of these units also create ozone as part of the cleaning process to give the air that fresh clean smell. If you are thinking of buying this type of air cleaner be aware that some health experts feel that long term exposure to ozone is not safe for people with respiratory ailments and can irritate your eyes, nose and throat.

Besides picking the type of air purifier technology that’s right for you you also need to decide how much coverage you need. If you are looking to clean the air in your bedroom so you can sleep better you obviously don’t need a large whole house unit while some allergy sufferers might choose to have a large air cleaner installed in their home that runs off of their heating and cooling system.

No matter which type you choose be sure you do some research and look for an air cleaner that has been proven to be effective in lab tests and is well liked by consumers.

By spending a little time researching before you buy an air purifier you will be sure to get one that will help you breathe easier indoors, have less illnesses and get much needed relief if you suffer from seasonal allergies.

For more information about air purifiers visit us today at Air Purifier Basics