Using an Air Purifier Effectively in Large Rooms

Air purifiers are necessary in homes where there are asthmatics or people with allergies. Did you know the air in homes can be 5 to 10 times as polluted as outdoor air? This is because the seals that makes homes energy efficient also traps allergens.

Whether in a large room or a small one, air purifiers handle different sized pollutants based on their specifications. Therefore, it is important to determine which allergens are your primary targets and to establish the best choices of air purifiers. Furthermore, you should understand the capacity of an air purifier to cleanse the air in large rooms or large homes. 

Indoor Air Pollution

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental health risks. The best ways to deal with the problem are to control the source of pollutants and to ventilate a home with clean outdoor air. However, it may not be possible to remove the sources or to ventilate the home because of outdoor weather conditions. In such situations, air purifiers can provide a cost effective solution.

Two types of indoor pollutants are particulate matter (dust, smoke, pollen, dander and particulate matter from combustion appliances like stoves) and gaseous pollutants (from combustion processes like gas stoves, vehicle exhaust and candles). Gaseous pollutants also come from household building materials such as paint, cleaning products and adhesives.

Some air purifiers are designed to be installed in the central air conditioning system to cleanse air in the whole house. For single rooms, however, portable air purifiers are available. 

Particulate Removal

Mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners exist to remove particulate matter from indoor air. Mechanical air filters work by capturing particles on filters, while electronic air cleaners utilize a process of ionization in which particles are charged and then captured by a series of plates that hold an opposite charge. Gas-phase air filters remove odors by capturing them in a sorbent-like activated carbon. Portable air cleaners generally contain a fan to circulate air and utilizes one of the above cleansing features. 

Single or Multiple Air Purifiers?

Is it best to use a single air purifier on the highest speed setting or two smaller units on lower settings? The answer depends on the shape and use of the room. In a large rectangle room of 2000 square feet, with people disbursed equally throughout, two smaller units would be optimal.

This is because of the dynamics of air purification. If a single unit were placed at one end of the room, it would have to pull air from 40 to 50 feet away. Further, the air in the immediate vicinity of the purifier will be better cleansed than the air far away and the noise level would be more distracting. While a single air purifier rated to clean this size room could be placed in the center of the room and clean it adequately, noise would still be a problem. Similarly, in a room of the same size with machines occupying one end and people on the other, it would make sense to use one smaller unit where the room is occupied.

Regardless of which system you choose, the addition of an air purifier to your home ensures a quality environment for your family.