An air purifier is a device that removes harmful and other contaminants from the air. An air purifier will enable the circulation of fresh air and will also enable the removal of stale and impure air in indoor settings. They can be beneficial to people who suffer from asthma, people who have allergies and they can reduce second hand tobacco smoke indoors.

Activated carbon is used to remove odors from the air and HEPA filters are used to remove particles from the air.

An Austin Air Allergy Machine

The basic controls on a powerful home air purifer, the Austin Air Allergy Machine

How does an air purifier work?

An air purifier, in most cases, filters the air through the use of a fan. The fan draws the air in through an intake and moves the air through its filtering system, then blows out purified air. Even in cases where a fan is not used to operate the air purifier, the basic process is the same.

Intake, filter and remove junk from the air, outtake.

The most basic of air purifiers, such as the Austin Air allergy machine, are just a fan that pulls air through the filter materials, without much frills.

How is an air purifier used?

Air purifiers are built to run continuously and some of the more high powered units can filter an incredibly large amount of air in a short period of time. People will use an air purifier for many reasons, including:

  • Keeping air free from odors during cooking or other odor-creating activities
  • Removing allergens from the air, including pet dander, pollen, etc.
  • Removing second hand smoke from the air

An air purifier may not need to be run continuously in some cases, different people will have different needs for air purification.

Home air purifiers & portable air purifiers can be pretty handy

You may not need to buy an air purification system that is powerful and capable of purifying your entire house in one sweep.

Many people find that a single air purifier that is rated for a decent size room can be ported around a house and moved from room to room easily. This allows you to put air filtration where you need it.

Even though air purifiers can help reduce airborn problems in a home, they should not be approached as a do-it-all solution for quality air.

Where do the air pollutants come from?

All over the place. There are many source of air pollutants that can exist inside your home. They come from:

  • Combustion sources (fireplaces, ovens, cigarettes)
  • Building materials (paints, glues)
  • Pesticides
  • Animals
  • Vehicle exhaust

Indoor air quality is a valid concern and there are many filtration options to help provide clean air. You will be able to find the right air purification system for your needs with a little bit of time and research.