Dennis Reed - Page 50 of 54

How Does An Air Ionizer Work?

Air Ionizers work through polarity. By inundating the air with positively and negatively charged ions, Plasma Air Ionizers trap air pollutants in an ionic bond that becomes to heavy to float and falls to the surface.

There are actually 3 types of air ionizers there can be purchased.

Negative ion generator

Bi Polar Plasma cluster
Photo catalytic Oxidation

Here’s the rundown:

How Does a Negative ion generator work?

The negative ion generator is a simple machine that negatively charges particles and emits them into the air.

The ideal is that when the negative ions emitted from the machine combine with the positive ions already in the air, they clump together and become too heavy to float so they fall to the surface.

This process is intended to leave your Ambient air free of particles, making it healthier to breathe.

But as you might guess, they have an obvious downside.

They leave a layer of dust on and around your ionizer.

Also the word “surface” here, means the surrounding walls, television screens and computer monitors.

Another downside is that they require an electric spark to manufacturer ions.

A kind of “lightning simulation” that can creates a low level of ozone.

Though not technically an ozone generator because it does not specifically use Ozone gas as a air cleaning agent,

The fact that it creates any ozone at all puts it in another class of air cleaner.

The first class of air purifier being a filtering machine that is basically a fan that pulls air through a filter to captures air pollutants. Your friendly domestic set it and leave it device.

The second class of air purifier, and the one that ionizers fall under, should be viewed more as an air cleaning treatment that are not intended to be left on 24/7.

Ozone generators come listed with strict rules of use.
They are not operated in an occupied room.
And the room is left to completely dissipate before it is used again.

Though negative ionizers do not create near the level of ozone been a strict ozone generator does,

They nevertheless do create some ozone and ozone can build up.

Bi Polar Plasma cluster

Plasma cluster or bi polar air ionizers, as they’re also called, work by flooding the airstream with both polarities of ions as opposed to the negative ion generator that only emits negative ions.

When the negative and positive ions are released they instantly combine, snapping together and in the process trapping anything in the way with it.

And like other types of ionizers, they do clump together particles good make you are surfaces extra dusty.

But the real excitement about bipolar ionization is the effect that it has on pathogens.

When negative and positive ions surround a pathogen, they rob its hydrogen which make the bacterium inactive.

Effectively destroying viruses.

Photocatalytic air purifier ionizers

PCO Ionizers create oxidizing ions through process of combining ultraviolet light with titanium oxide in a hydrated environment.

This process creates a variety of redundant oxidizers that return to water and oxygen when they have reacted on a airborne contaminant.

The motherload of ions created in the photocatalytic process are hydroxyl and hydroperoxide ions.

These ions are basically the gas form of hydrogen peroxide, the topical disinfectant you pour over a cut or abrasion.

Imagine pouring hydrogen peroxide solution on every airborne contaminant floating through the air including the pollutants exposed on surfaces like countertops and tables.

This is essentially how a photocatalytic ionizer works.

The same disinfectant qualities of hydrogen peroxide but for the air.

But they do have their drawbacks.

Just like any other ionizer, they leave the surfaces around the ion generator particularly dusty.

And because they use ultraviolet light to target the titanium oxide catalyst, they create ozone as a by-product.

Benefits of ionizers

1. Filterless technology

It’s no secret that when you purchase an air purifier you are also invested in purchasing replacement filters for the life of that air purifier.

That is one of the main things that make ionizers attractive. They do not require regular maintenance or replacement filters.

2. Virus and bacteria reduction

The most popular air purifiers are HEPA air filter machines that pull air into a HEPA filter that is able to capture particular to smallest .03 microns.

Though very efficient and capable of dealing with most household allergens,
They can only filter contaminants and have no effect on viruses.

Both PCO and bipolar ionizers can effectively make viruses inactive.

3. Whole house air purification.

Combined with the HVAC central heat and air , induct Ionizers can purify the air coming in and leaving the system via the duct work.

Although you can purchase HEPA filters that fit in your HVAC, they can be to dense to allow for the free flowing air your system needs to operate efficiently.

The extra strain that using dense filters in your central heat and air can lead to extra energy cost and more repairs across the life of the unit.

Energy cost

Compared to HEPA filtering air purifiers, ionizers cost mere pennies to run per day. A huge advantage when you’re talking about cleaning the air throughout an entire building.

Finally

Even though one of the primary reasons people search for ionizers is the absence of replacement filters.

Combining a Ionizer with a Hepa filtering purifier is a great way to get the best of both worlds.

The reason is because ionizers clump particles together which makes them larger. Particles that otherwise may be to small to effectively be caught in a filter can be trapped easily by adding mass to them.

Today’s air purifiers combine multiple technologies to sensor and remove every type of indoor air pollution.

If you are searching for an Ionizer fan, consider broadening your search to include smart air purifiers.

see:

What Does Ozone Smell Like?

What Does an Ionizer Do?

Ion Air Purifier Dangers

Air Purifier or Dehumidifier For Mold?

Though mold and fungus maybe very beneficial as a decomposing agents in our environment, we certainly do not need their decomposing properties in our homes.

Mold can rot the structure of your home along with your carpet and wood work.

And it can also be the source for all types of respiratory issues and allergies.

Two of the most popular devices to help combat mold in the home and dehumidifiers and air purifiers.

Though they have two different functions, they both are able to tackle mold in their own way.

So which one is better?

An air purifier or dehumidifier for mold?

A dehumidifier has an advantage over an air purifier for mold because it can eliminate the source of mold which is humidity. Mold must already be present for an air purifier to be useful.

In other words, by eliminating humidity with a dehumidifier you can stop mold from growing before there becomes a need for an air purifier.

The function of a dehumidifier is to reduce the moisture in the air.

The function of an air purifier is to filter contaminants out of the air.

Many airborne contaminants like mold spores and dust mites need a high level of humidity to flourish. Humidity is their nourishment.

A dehumidifier can take the humidity out of the air, thereby taking away the nourishment for mold to grow and dust mites to thrive.

If mold is already present, a dehumidifier can help it from spreading further but an air purifier will be needed to eliminate mold spores from the ambient air. (The air you breathe)

Also if mold already exists, it will have to be cleaned up. Cleaning it up can disturb it and kick up mold spores into the air, once again creating a need for an air cleaner.

So as you can see, an air purifier and a dehumidifier work well hand-in-hand.

But…

Although a dehumidifier may have the advantage over an air purifier for mold during the hot muggy months,

It is not as useful in the cooler months and does not help to combat mold spores when the source of mold and fungi is not high climate humidity.

Winter comes with many mold abatement issues as well.

Melting ice combined with heated indoor air create an excellent breeding ground for mold.

Even though the indoor humidity may be very low, opportunities for mold to flourish can be abundant.

Air purifier vs. Dehumidifier for mold in the winter.

Most dehumidifiers need the temperature to be at least 60 degrees before they work properly.

That creates little use in the winter months for a dehumidifier.

An purifier on the other hand is useful for removing mold spores from the air all year long.

Eliminating the moisture out of the air to combat mold is only one weapon.

Other sources of mold can come in the form of cracked or leaky pipes and poorly sealed windows.

Another source for mold in the air is the HVAC central heat and air unit.

Because of the environment inside of the HVAC housing,

namely the condensation from the air conditioning coils combined with the lack of light,

Mold can form inside of the ductwork and become an indoor air pollution issue whenever the unit kicks on.

Because the source is easily identified as being the cooling coils and the drip pan.

UV lights can be mounted and targeted on the mold and mildew producing areas to keep mold from becoming an issue.

Indoor air purifiers can also replaced in the ductwork.

Induct Air purification technologies like photo catalytic oxidation are very effective at reducing mold.

By placing photocatalytic oxidation air purifiers inside of the ductwork of your central heat and air unit,

you can effectively turn your heat and air into a whole house air purifier that will not only reduce mold spores in the air, will also stop mold at the source before it becomes a problem.

In climates where humidity does not take a break in the fall or spring,

Whole house Dehumidifiers can be installed to work with the existing HVAC ductwork to reduce the humidity in the whole house.

Whole house dehumidifiers have a few distinct advantages over stand-alone dehumidifiers.

You don’t have to keep emptying the bucket. The condensate is piped to outside of the house.

The heat from the dehumidifier is kept in the Attic instead of being pumped into the room where you’re standing alone dehumidifier would be sitting.
They work for every room where there is ductwork ran.

Unfortunately it’s the basement that doesn’t have ductwork ran into it many times.

The typical basement is moist and the air quality is abysmal.

The basement is another area where a dehumidifier and an air purifier are needed to work hand-in-hand.

You can run an air purifier 24/7 in the basement to make the air breathable but until you do something to dry up the moisture, you’ll have a continual air quality problem in the basement.

That’s where the dehumidifier comes in. After ensuring that there is no broken or leaking pipes, running a dehumidifier in the basement to stop the source of mold spores and then running an air purifier to filter the existing mold spores,

You can make your basement and much more inhabitable spot in the house.

Conclusion

A dehumidifier can prevent mold before there is ever a need for an air purifier.

But when mold already exists, though a dehumidifier can slow its growth,

An air purifier is needed to reduce mold spore allergens from the air.

Also the presence of mold means that mold cleanup will be needed.

Disturbing mold can kick up mold spores in the air, again warranting the need of an air purifier.

But once the mold is removed and the air is filtered,

A dehumidifier will reduce the moisture in the air and help starve and stop any mold and fungi regrowth.

Dehumidifiers and air purifiers also come in whole house units that can be installed using the HVAC ductwork.

The added expense can be worth the benefits that come along with whole house dehumidification and air purification.

What Does An Ioniser Do?

Ionizers are one of those good, bad, and ugly subjects to discuss. For the amount of people that tout their benefits, there’s at least that many people lined up with issues against them.

What Does An Ionizer Do?

Ionizers charge the air, creating a balance of negative and positive ions.
In doing so they discharge static electricity and attach themselves to airborne particles that causes them to be too heavy to float so that they fall to the surface.

Ionizers are widely used in air cleaning because when ions combine with airborne particles, the particles clump together and provide the extra mass needed to be large enough to be captured in a HEPA filter. (High-efficiency particulate absorber)

Ionic air purifiers without filters are known to make the surrounding surfaces around the air purifier and the air purifier itself extra dusty.

Many of the surfaces that become extra dusty include the walls. Grey Wall syndrome is a phrase coined that describes the effects of polarized dust on walls.

Other surfaces that tend to accumulate dust when an ionizer is in use are television screens and computer monitors.

There are three different types of ionizers that are marketed today.

Negative Ion Generator
Photocatalytic Oxidation

Plasmacluster

What does a negative ion generator do?

A negative ion generator is just what it sounds like. A machine that generates negatively charged ions and emits into the airstream.

The reason the negative ion generators work is because the pollutants in the air are positively charged.

So once the negative ions are released they instantly combine with the positive ions because of polarity.

The newly-formed particles clump together to the point that they become too heavy to float and fall to the surface or get pulled into a particulate filter.

What is a photo catalytic oxidation ionizer do?

Photocatalytic oxidation or PCO for short is an ionizer that creates hydroperoxide ions through a process of combining ultraviolet light with a titanium oxide catalyst.

Photocatalytic oxidation ions not only provide weight to airborne pollutants like a negative ion generator, they disinfect the air similar to how hydrogen peroxide disinfects a cut or abrasion on your skin.

PCO ionizers are very good at reducing airborne bacteria and germs but must be used carefully to avoid ozone build up because of the use UV-C.

What do Plasma cluster ionizers do?

Plasmacluster ionizers emit both positive and negative ions. the release of both positive and negative ions create an instant polarity between the two that causes the ions to snap together and capture whatever pollution happens to be in the way at that moment.

by polarizing the air with equal amounts of positive and negative ions, the are essentially becomes its own air cleaner.

Both PCOS and plasma air purifiers are very efficient at reducing mold spores which makes them ideal for HVAC central heat and air units.

Air ioniSer dangers

The danger of using ionizers is the production of ozone that they create in the process. Ozone is dangerous to breathe and is a lung irritant.

The warnings often cited about ionizers is because of ozone generators being sold as domestic air cleaners.

Though ionizers are not considered an ozone generator, they do generate some ozone.

Most argue that it is not enough ozone to be harmful.

Most ionic air purifiers create less than .005 parts per million of ozone which is below the federal allowed limit.

But that doesn’t account for the square footage that the ionizer is intended to be used in, versus using the same ionizer too small of an area.

The ozone buildup would be too great.

Ozone as an industrial cleaner is never used in the vicinity of people and it is always left to completely dissipate before the area is used again.

So that creates a gray area for manufacturers who build ionic air cleaners.

The solution is to treat any ozone generator regardless if it is a commercial size unit specifically built to pump ozone gas,

Or if it is an ionizer on an air purifier the same in how it is used.

If you are using an ionizer or an air purifier with an ionizer, it should be viewed as an air cleaning treatment that is to be used when there is no one around and left to dissipate.

Even if the amount of ozone being created is not nearly amount of an ozone generator, ozone can still build up and be dangerous.

Ionizers remove static electricity

One thing that most people do not talk about when discussing what air ionizers do is their ability to remove static electricity.

Static electricity happens when there is an uneven balance of negative and positive ions in a room or small area.

Though static electricity is typically just a nuisance and a surprise when it gives you a low voltage shock, it can be very dangerous when it builds up high enough.

A large buildup of static electricity can cause gases to ignite and even cause a shock strong enough to stop your heart.

Static electricity is also known to have a bad effect on your electronics. Even causing devices like your phone keyboard to fail.

As a prevention and solution to reducing static electricity, ionizers are often used to create a balance of ions in the air to discharge static electricity and keep electrons from building up and jumping across from surface to surface.
An Ionizer Fan can protect you from static electricity issues and dangers.

Ionizers can lighten your mood.

In the now infamous WebMd article “Negative Ions create positive vibes“

Which states

“Negative ions are believed to produced by a chemical reactions that increase levels of moved chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy”

The article goes on to say that

“Columbia University studies of people with winter and chronic depression show that negative ion generators relieve depression as much as antidepressants”

Maybe ion generators are a hidden health secret they can solve all the world’s problems. Lol.

But the things we know that ionizers do like disinfecting the air and discharging static electricity are remarkable enough to add them to our daily lives.

Can I Put My Air Purifier On A Table?

You’ve done the research. You made the leap and you bought the air purifier.

But where to put it?

Air purifier location is important to get the best out of your investment.

Can I put my air purifier on a table?

Placing your air purifier on a table is a good idea because it will do more to clean the Ambient air (the air you breathe) than placing it on the floor or up high on a shelf.

But…

You shouldn’t place your air purifier on the dinner table or counter top near your food.

Air purifiers work by pulling pollutants out of the air and capturing them in a filter located inside of the air purifier.

Having the air purifier on the table next to your food means that you or pulling the contaminants from the air towards your food.

Remember many of the allergens that you are trying to eliminate in your home are mold related.

Even placing an air purifier on the countertop near a bowl of fruit or vegetables can be inviting mold spores to gather on your produce.

Thereby shortening the window that you’ll be able to eat that food.

It’s a bit of a balancing act.

You do want to put the air purifier in the room that you’re spending the time in the most but you don’t want the air purifier pulling the garbage out of the air towards yourself or your family.

For instance, many people spend much of their time relaxing in a easy chair or couch facing a TV.

Though your stylish new air purifier may look good on the corner table where your family is sitting, that will give you the opposite result then you’re intending.

Since air purifiers pull the microscopic garbage out of the air and into them selves,
having the air purifier to close to yourself in the family room is actually is anti productive because it will be pulling the polluted air toward your family instead of away from them.

Placing the air purifier on the other side of the room so that it pulls the air and the pollutants in the air away from the people in the room is a better placement.

But there is a caveat when you’re talking about the TV room.

air purifier near tv?

Placing an air purifier near the TV is not a good idea because televisions generate static electricity.

Meaning they already attract dust to themselves.

If you place an air purifier near your TV, you can be helping the dust travel easier toward the electrostatic field of your television.

The point is you could have an even extra dusty television.

If your air purifier has an ionizer then it’s going to be doubly worse.

Ionizers work by polarity to clump dust together in the air.

The ideal is, when the dust clumps together, it becomes too heavy to float and falls to the surface and out of the air that you are breathing.

But if you place the ionizer near the TV, then the surface that the polarized dust will collect to will not be the floor, but your television screen.

There are also some air purifiers that could interfere with your TV signal so you have to be aware of that too.

Another issue with placing the air purifier on the corner table is airflow.

Tucking in air purifier away is fine as long as it has plenty of airflow.

Things tend to get pushed up against the drapes or against the wall in the corner.

Making sure the air purifier is not up against anything that will inhibit the airflow will help you get the best result out of your air purifier.

Placing your air purifier in the bedroom is one of the more advantageous spots

because of the amount of time you spend in bed and the fact that when you were sleeping you were actually breathing deeper then when you are awake.

But air purifiers often get confused with humidifiers.

But the two appliances do two entirely different functions.

Air purifiers filter pollutants out of the air whereas humidifiers add moisture to the air.

It is not uncommon to place a humidifier next to your bed on an end table because the cool mist can help you breathe when you are having sinus and cold issues.

But the opposite is true when it comes to an air purifier.

You want to keep an air purifier at least six feet away from your face when you are sleeping and face it the direction to pull the air away from your head.

An air purifier will actually add more air pollution to the general area of the air purifier itself.

So having an air purifier on your nightstand will make the air around you more polluted as you’re sleeping.

And since you breathe deeper during sleep, having the air cleaning machine right next to you while you sleep can mean that you are actually taking giant deep breaths of air pollution.

Not the intended result.

The more logical way to run your air purifier in the bedroom or the living room is to turn it on high when you’re not there and keep it on low or off when you are.

That way you walk into a fresh room and you don’t have to worry about polluted air being drawn towards you when you are near an air purifier.

If your air purifier has an ionizer, then it is going to generate ozone at some level. Even if it’s a very small level.

The best way to use your ionizer is to turn it on when you’re not there and then turn it off for a little while before you decide to use the room.

Then keep it off while you’re in the room.

That way you can get the benefits of ionized air without risking being exposed to any ozone build up.

Conclusion

Putting an air purifier on the table is a great way to ensure that you are keeping it at a height to clean the ambient air (air you breathe) in the room.

But be sure the table isn’t the dinner table or a table that is going to be pulling the polluted air directly towards the humans in the house.

What Does Ozone Smell Like In An Air Purifier?

What Does Ozone Smell Like?

Ozone or also known by it’s scientific name, Trioxygen (molecular oxygen that contains a highly reactive third atom) has a sharp, unmistakeably disinfectant smell
that is reminiscent of bleach or chlorine. It is often marketed as a “Fresh after a Thunderstorm Smell” because of its production from lightning, but ozone in a confined space is much more pungent.

There has been a lot of controversy in the past about air purifiers creating ozone and whether or not ozone is dangerous.

Air purifiers come in different types with different technologies.

Some only filter air where as some would be considered a treatment for air.

Filtering air purifiers create zero ozone, either as a air cleaning mechanism or as a by product.

But other air purifiers use electricity to create ions ions that make the pollution in the air too heavy to float. These are typically called ionic or ionizers.

This type of air purifier does create ozone as a byproduct.

If you have an air purifier and you do not know if it creates ozone or not, there are a couple of indicators that you can easily look for yourself.

1.What Does Ozone Smell Like In An Air Purifier?

The smell of ozone from an air purifier has an antiseptic or bleach smell.

Even though it is generally advertised an “after a thunderstorm fresh smell“,
Strong ozone from an air purifier can be very pungent.

After all, ozone dissipation happens a lot easier outdoors in nature than it does in your living room.

Regardless of how strong the smell of ozone coming from the air purifier is, it will be noticeable. It is very unlikely that you will miss it.

On the flip side

If you smell your air purifier and there is no smell other than the general smell of plastic and adhesives, then your air purifier is more than likely not an ionizer.

2. Blue Light

The second way you can find out whether your air purifier creates ozone or not is there is generally a blue ultraviolet light shining from it somewhere.
Some UV lights do not create enough ozone for the smell to be noticeable.

Should you use your air purifier if you find out it creates ozone?

Ozone is a very effective air cleaning technology. Used properly, an ozone generator can completely eliminate stubborn odors like century-old third hand cigarette and pipe tobacco smoke.
Bacteria and viruses cannot survive in the face of ozone.

But, in the same way that ozone will completely oxidize every bit of air pollution in its way, it can also oxidize your lung tissue.

That makes it very dangerous to breathe. Especially if you have a pre-existing health condition like asthma.

So you are saying no. Do not use it, right?

No I am not saying that.

But you should absolutely not use ozone improperly.

You wouldn’t set your house on fire to warm your hands. And you wouldn’t step into a bathtub holding a hair dryer.

But yet, you use fire and electricity every single day in almost everything you do.

Ozone Generator Best Practices

Professionals who use ozone generators know that there are two rules if they must abide by in order to get the best result from ozone and stay safe from it too.

they never operate an ozone generator in an occupied room. This includes people, animals, and plant life.

they always allow for the ozone to completely dissipate before using the area again.

So why would an air purifier that creates ozone be different than a outright ozone generator?

Of course it’s the volume of ozone that is generated.

But does that mean because it’s a low volume of ozone let it can be breathed?

Use the same analogy with fire and electricity.

Will a little fire still burn you? Yes
Will a little electricity still shock you? Yes again.

So it is not the fact that ozone is being generated that is the problem.

It is the way that ozone is used and approached that is the problem.

Air purifiers that create ozone as a by-product are still ozone generators.

Since an ozone generator should not be used in an occupied room, it only stands to reason that an air purifier that creates ozone should be used in a like manner.

After all isn’t the complaint by the EPA referring to companies who knowingly sold ozone generators as domestic air cleaners without warning consumers about the dangers of ozone, even suggesting that there is no harm that can be had from them?

There is a simple rule that you can apply to home air purification:

If it is strictly a filtering air purifier then it can be set and left on with no problems or dangers.
But if it is an electronic ionizer, it should be left alone to do its thing and then aired out to make sure that no harmful levels ozone remain before using the room again.

You wouldn’t take a chance with electricity or fire, so why take the chance with ozone when there is an easy work around.

If you’re wondering whether you should try an ionizer we’ll just stick to the HEPA filter air purifier,

Let me just say that there is not much that a HEPA filtering air purifier cannot take care of, air pollution wise.

They are very efficient at removing common household allergens like dust mites, pollen, dander, and even spores.

Where the HEPA filter leaves off, there is usually an activated carbon filter to capture the rest , including gases and odors.

And you never have to worry about being exposed to Ozone.

An easy choice.

But on the other hand, ionizers like PCO and plasma can do something that HEPA filters cannot.

They can actually destroy bacteria and viruses. Not just capture them in a filter.
PCO air purifiers not only disinfect the air, they disinfect the surfaces around the air purifier too.

Also ionizers are filterless air purifiers which can save you a bundle in replacement filters.

Thankfully, air purifier manufacturers know all this. That is why most of the latest air purifiers on the market employ both filtering and ionic technologies.

Smart air purifiers are the wave of the future.

Even though Ozone in an air purifier is usually spun as an ” after a thunderstorm fresh smell” , Strong ozone from a air purifier can be very pungent.
After all , ozone dissipation happens a lot easier outdoors in nature than it does in your living room.

Air Purifier vs. Ozone Generator

What’s the difference between an air purifier and an ozone generator?

Do air purifiers create ozone?

How can you tell the difference between one that does and one that doesn’t?

Pretty important questions when you’re going in to purchase an air purifier.

Air purifier vs. Ozone generator

The most popular air purifier is a filtering device that works by pulling air through a series of filters that capture particulates out of the air stream.

An ozone generator is a machine that deliberately creates large amounts of ozone to treat a room. It does not filter air but disinfects it through the oxidizing function of 03. Ozone.

“Air purifier” is actually more of a generic term that encompasses all types of air purifiers and air purification technologies.

Some air purifiers use technologies that create ozone as a by-product which makes deciphering between a air purifier and an ozone generator that much more confusing.

It’s this gray area that causes so much confusion.

Air purifiers that do not create ozone.

The most popular air purifiers that do not create ozone are Hepa filter air purifiers.

These units at their most basic work like a fan pulling air through a series of filters which captures the pollution from of the air.

The reason these work so well is because HEPA filters can capture particulates as small as .03 microns which would include typical household allergens like pollen and pet dander.

The other filters included in the package are a pre-filter which are for capturing larger debris like hair and trash and the second other type of filter is made from activated carbon which works more like a sponge that absorbs pollutants like gases and odors.

They create absolutely zero ozone.
and they top the list of safe air purifiers.

A second type of air cleaner creates zero ozone is an “Air Washer”.

This kind of air purifier uses water to wash the air. The ideal is water is drawn into the machine where it is scrubbed, then released out the other side clean.

The advantage these have over HEPA air cleaners is that they do not require any type of filter replacement ever.

Air washers create residual humidity and also come as air purifier- humidifier hybrids.

Their main disadvantage is that they do add humidity to the air which is not something you necessarily need all year long. Especially in the hot muggy summer months.

Air purifiers that do create ozone as a byproduct.

Ionizers are air cleaners that even though they do not use ozone specifically to clean the air, they do create residual ozone as a by-product.

A lot of people would stop you right there and ask why would you even bother using them then since ozone is unsafe to breathe?

One reason ionizers are popular is that they are completely filterless so it cuts out the need for replacement filters.

But more importantly than that, they can do something that other purifiers just can’t.

They actually disinfect and destroy the bacteria in the air where as a filter can only capture it.

When it comes to pollutants like viruses and bacteria, ionizers, and even more specifically PCO ionizers and plasma clustering ionizers have a markable advantage over Hepa.

But there are other downsides do ionizers besides residual ozone, namely that they leave the surfaces in the room extra dusty.

That’s because they work by polarizing the air, which causes the negative and positive particles in the air to combine.

After they combine and clump together, they become too heavy to float and fall to the surface.

“Surface” can also mean the wall around the air purifier.

Are ionizers safe?

Ionizer Air Purifier Side Effects

Most ionizers do not create enough ozone to be dangerous but “most” is not good enough.

One of the problems according to the EPA is that even though an ionizer that creates a specific amount of ozone may be safe in one sized area, the same ionizer may create much too much ozone in a smaller area.

The problem is that even though the amount of ozone being created is much lower than an actual ozone generator, they are still technically ozone generators because they do generate ozone.

What’s the solution?

The easiest solution is to change the way an ionizer is used compared to a filtering purifier.

Let me put it this way.

When a professional operates an ozone generator, he or she has to abide by a couple of strict rules.

1. The ozone machine cannot be operated in an occupied room. Regardless if it’s a person, a pet, or even plants

2. the second rule is that the room has to have plenty of time to air out before it is used again.

Should ionizers be used the same way that ozone generators are used?

It’s not a bad idea.

If you change your approach to ionizers from being a domestic alternative to Hepa air purifiers,

to a machine that is intentionally meant to treat the air and not be operated around people,

The problem would be solved.

You could enjoy the benefits of ionic ozone creating air purifiers without ever experiencing any negative side effects from breathing ozone.

But there are some instances when an air purifier is not going to be able to rid an area of strong odors or high concentrations of mold and bacteria.

This is when the big guns have to be called in.

Ozone generator.

Ozone generators can virtually eliminate any airborne contaminant and attack and remove the source of strong lingering odors.

Ozonators are usually operated by professionals to completely remove the smell of third-hand smoke from a house or vehicle. What does ozone smell like?

Since tobacco smoke has a sticky residue , he can be very hard to get rid of.

And ozone generator can create large amounts of highly reactive oxidants that follow the path of cigarette smoke and destroy it and the residue keeping it glued inside of the room.

But unlike an air purifier, it is not ever operating in the company of people or animals. Many professionals remove plants from the area before using the generator also.

Letting the room air completely out is also very important after using an ozone generator.
30 minutes is the minimum but you want to wait before reusing a room treated with ozone.
But it doesn’t hurt to err on the safe side and give it more like a couple of hours.

Are Air Purifiers Safe For Cats?

I have two cats. Both girls. One is named Lucky and one is named Merida.

They are both rescue cats brought home by my lovely wife who is a bleeding-heart mercenary who’s also populated our home with two dogs and two rats.

At any given moment, When I am at home, I have a cat sitting in my lap or draped across my chest when I’m laying down.

I also have two air purifiers. One air purifier is a HEPA filter type and my other air purifier is a photocatalytic oxidation air purifier.

Cats tend to be into everything, so safety is a concern not only for the cats but also for the humans that have to live with the cats.

Are air purifiers safe for cats?

HEPA Air purifiers are absolutely safe for cats. They work by pulling air through a series of filters that capture the pollutants out of the air. That simple. Nothing that could harm a cat.

Almost nothing. If your cat has a habit of sitting on top of the air purifier or sleeping right next to it then there is the possibility that the cat is inhaling a lot of garbage that is being pulled toward him or her by the air purifier.

In other words, by sitting where the air purifier is, he or she could be a direct target.

Also if the air purifier has not been maintained and the filter is extra dirty, sleeping right next to the air purifier would mean being exposed to the germs on the filter.

Honestly my cats don’t seem too interested in the air purifier and I haven’t noticed them sleeping next to it.

Another concern might be the electrical cord. But no more so than any other appliance. Cats don’t seem too interested in extension cords either.

My other air purifier is a PCO air purifier. That stands for photo catalytic oxidation.

That air purifier is more like an air treatment than it is a fan.

The PCO air purifier has a lot more potential to be dangerous to animals for a couple of reasons.

One it has a glowing blue UV light illuminating out of the top of it.

Staring at it is about like staring at the sun. It will eventually burn your eyes.

I don’t put it past the cats to stare at the bulb.

And two, it creates ozone is a by-product. You can smell it every time the ozone interacts with any pollution in the air.

It’s not a rash amount of ozone but ozone and still ozone and it can build up in a confined area.

Ozone is a known lung irritant go cats may have nine lives I’m not sure that means they have 9 sets of lungs.

Regardless of whether or not the machine creates a lot of ozone or not, it is technically still a ozone generator since ozone is being generated.

And to me that puts it in a different category than the HEPA cleaner.

Two different types of air purifiers

One that you can set it up and leave it on.
And one that you run when there’s no one home.

PCO is a run it when there’s no one home type.

And that includes the animals. They go outside or in the garage when I use that air purifier.

It sounds like more of a hassle then the HEPA filter,

But you have to remember, PCO air purifiers do something that HEPA purifiers can’t.
They actually disinfect the air as well as the surface is in the room.
Also they don’t use a filter and that’s a big plus.

But if I had to decide on one or the other, I would go with the HEPA filter air purifier over the photocatalytic oxidation air purifier for animals.

Not only for the cat’s sake but for my sake too.
Though the PCO air purifier is better at getting rid of pet dander it doesn’t do much of anything for pet hair.

The reason is, it is essentially an ionic air purifier the charges the air and clumps the particles together.
When the particles get heavy enough they fall to the surface.

When you’re talking about cats, cat hair is one of the worst things about having felines.

To help control cat hair, you have to have a filter to catch it. Ions can’t cut it.

Also by reducing the amount of cat hair, you are reducing the pet dander
Because dander is actually bacteria on the hair the gets there by the cat licking itself.

Conclusion

Air purifiers are safe for cats as long as you are using a HEPA filter type. HEPA filters basically capture pollutants being pulled into them by a fan. Nothing harmful for cats.

Other air purifiers like photocatalytic oxidation work more as an air treatment. It’s because they use ionic technologies that create ozone as a by-product.

They are very efficient because they are not just capturing pollution, they are disinfecting the air as well as the services around the machine.

But because they create ozone as a by-product, operating them in the same room as animals or humans can result in breathing issues.

Ozone is better left to only using it in an unoccupied room and letting it air completely out.

As far as a air purifier for Cats goes, the HEPA air purifier is the better choice.

The reason is, cat hair.

PCO ionic air purifiers don’t do much of nothing for hair.

Filtering air purifiers can reduce cat hair thereby reducing the pet dander that is on the hair.

Ionizers vs. Ozone

Most if not all controversy around using an air ionizer is based around the ideal that ionizers create ozone as a by-product and that ozone is horribly unsafe.

There are many proponents of using ionizers and ozonators. There are also many people including government sources that say that the benefits of using these machines do not outweigh the harm they can cause.

Ionizer vs. Ozone

What is an air ionizer?

An air ionizer generates negatively charged ions and then releases them into the airstream. They attach themselves to particulates through polarity which become too heavy to float and fall to the ground or surface.

What is an ozone generator?

A ozone generator deliberately produces Ozone gas. Also called activated oxygen, or the third molecule of oxygen, when does third molecule comes in contact with a contaminant, it changes its structure or oxidizes it.
Is then returns back to oxygen.

The issue is that ozone is dangerous to breathe. It is so highly reactive that it will decompose your lung tissue when it is inhaled at link or in large enough quantities.

Left at that, most of us would just say, what the heck? I thought the air purifiers were supposed to clean the air not make it dangerous to breathe. Why would I want to mess with that?

True.

But if we apply the same type of logic to other potent energies like electricity or gas, we would be living in the dark with no heat.

We wouldn’t have electricity running to our homes because we could potentially be shocked and killed by it.

We wouldn’t have heat because of the danger of gas exploding.

The thing is that Ozone is the best disinfectant for destroying bacteria known to man. Ozone Smell.

But like any potent energy, it must be harnessed and used safely.

And

Negative ions are very beneficial to the atmosphere and are instrumental in naturally clearing the ambient air that we breathe outside everyday.

One government study shows that ion generators that create both positive and negative ions cluster around airborne particles that’s still the particles hydrogen atom, which creates a hole in the particles outer protein membrane rendering it inactive.

Are you saying that ionizers can actually render airborne bacteria harmless?

Yes.

Ionizer air purifier good or bad?

Most definitely good. Ionizers have the capacity to remove ultra fine airborne particulates that HEPA filters that are designed to capture .03 microns cannot do.

Also an Ionizer working along with a HEPA filters help clump fine particulates together so that they become large enough for the filter to capture.

Many other studies exist that expound on the effect that negative ions have on persons suffering from depression.
In the now famous article by WebMD, Columbia University found that negative ions relieve depression as much as antidepressants.

Very interesting.

ARE IONIZERS DANGEROUS?

Most ionizers do not create enough ozone to be considered and ozone generator. But nevertheless, they do in fact create ozone as a by-product. So an ionizer in a wrong space could be considered dangerous.

The fundamental issue is that ozone should not be used in the vicinity of people or pets or plants

But there are many ionizers that come with an ozone dial to be able to turn the ozone up.

Many times the dial is called a “while you’re away” setting.

That simply means that the ozone level is going to be too high to breathe on that setting and you should not run it while you’re in the house.

And that is where the fine line is.

Most people think of an air purifier as a device that you can set up in the back of the room behind some plants then turn it on and leave it on.

In the case of an air purifier that uses filters as its only cleaning source, although not the best way to get the most out of the air cleaner, it is still perfectly fine to do so.

But with ionizers, turning them on and leaving them on can cause ozone to build up to an uncomfortable or even dangerous level.

So to prevent exposure to Ozone,
Why not use the same precautions with an ionizer that is used with a Ozone gas generator.

Simply use the ionizer when there is no people or pets around.

The point is, why should you throw away the amazing benefits of using an ionizer when adjusting how you use the ionizer could prevent ever being exposed to ozone and still allow you to enjoy the benefits?

An even better solution.

Invest in a smart air purifier.

There are many air purifiers on the market these days that incorporate air quality sensors to monitor your indoor air quality and communicate when to turn the air purifier on and off based on
the actual pollution in your air.

These are purifiers incorporate ionic and filter based technologies working together.
They also never generate dangerous levels of ozone.

And just like anything else in our modern world, you can receive alerts as well as schedule your air cleaning via your smartphone.

Another better solution to the stand alone air ionizer.

Induct air purifiers

In duct air purifiers are installed into the ductwork of your HVAC central heat and air system.

These air purifiers use plasma and PCO ionizers to clean the air inside of your
HVAC plenum and ductwork.

They essentially turn your central heat and air system into a whole house air purifier.

This works remarkably well because the HVAC is not only the source of warm and cool air that comes into your home, it is also one of the main sources of indoor air pollution including mold spores and dust mites.

Since these units are hidden away inside the ductwork and attic, the small amount of ozone generated dissipates before entering the airstream.

Summary

The difference between an ionizer and ozone is that the main function of an air ionizer is to generate negative ions and discharge them into a room.

Where as an ozone generator deliberately generates Ozone gas that is used to oxidize and disinfect every molecule in its way.

The similarities begin because ionizers with fans generate a small amount of ozone as a byproduct.

Though it is generally recognized that the amount of ozone then an ionizer creates is not enough to make the device considered an ozone machine,

Even placing an ionizer in a smaller area than it is intended can create a harmful amount of ozone.

But the benefits of ions and ozone cannot be ignored and should not be thrown away because just like any other potent energy, there are ways to use ozone safely.

An ozone generator should never be used around people, pets, or plants.

This is the first safety regulation you will find with any ozone generation.

And just because someone labeled air ionizers as home air purifiers does not mean that the ozone generated by these should be respected any less.

You can still get the great benefits of ions without being in the same room with the ionizer.

These devices should be timed to run when you are not home or when the area is not going to be occupied for a while.

A Simple solution.

A better solution.

A smart air purifier uses air quality sensors to control when an air purifier is running and when it is not according to the amount of pollution in the air.
These air purifiers will not allow ozone to be generated in a dangerous level ever.

Are Air Purifiers Safe?

Let’s face it if you’re asking a question like whether or not air purifiers are safe? then there has to be a reason why you’re asking it. A reason you have to believe that they are not.

Because why would that even be a question?

Wouldn’t you just presume that an air purifier cleans the air and that cleaner air is better to breathe than polluted air?

The thing is..

We’ve all seen hundreds of ads on TV that recommend medications that in the end can result in drastic side effects.

Air purifiers have the same kind of reputation.

A fear that even though the outcome should be air that is easier to breathe,
there could be dangerous side effects that make the opposite true.

So why wouldn’t you be skeptical?

You should be.

I believe the main reason that people could have the ideal that air purifiers are dangerous is that they believe or have been told that air purifiers create dangerous ozone.

So let me share with you what I believed to be the truth about air purifier safety.

Are air purifiers safe?

The most popular air purifiers on the market use HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Air) and Carbon to Filter Airborne Contaminants like pollen, Dust Mites, and Odors, and are absolutely safe. No question.
Safety concerns for air cleaners only arise when ozone is introduced through an ionizer. Ozone is a lung irritant and can trigger asthma attacks. If you stay with HEPA and Carbon filters, you will be safe from any type of danger associated with air purifiers.

If you are in the market for an air purifier that leaves no question of its safety, and performs very well, then you should narrow your search for air purifiers that use HEPA filters and carbon filters and create no ozone.

HEPA filters are the standard for hospitals and can capture air pollutants as small as .03 microns.

Carbon filters work like a sponge that adsorbs gases along with the odors that the gases emit.

These air purifiers work very well to remove particulates like pollen and dander,
and help control dust mites.

That’s good enough.

Enough said. The question is satisfactorily answered.

But..

The other biggest segment air purifiers on the market are ionic air purifiers or ionizers.

And here is where it starts to get hazy. Pun intended.

The Dark Side.

Ionizers are basically machines that polarize the air so that the particles in the air become charged and attach to each other.

The result is that become too heavy to float and they fall out show the ambient air (air that you breathe).

The problem is that they generate a small amount of ozone in the process of polarizing the air.

Stop..

Shouldn’t that just be the end of the conversation?

HEPA good. Ionizers bad?

Why would you possibly want to use a machine that creates any type of ozone as a by-product?

Good question

Isn’t it just a little bit weird that so many air purifier manufacturers use technologies that knowingly generate ozone, even if it is just a small amount?

Is everyone just out for a buck even when it means harming people?

No I don’t believe that.

The reason is ionizers can do something if the other air purifiers can’t.

Ionizers can destroy bacteria and render viruses inactive.

That is something that a HEPA air purifier cannot do.

There are some ionizers, ones that use photocatalytic oxidation to create ions,

That not only disinfect the air, they disinfect the countertops, tables, and other surfaces in the room as well.

Truly amazing.

So am I suggesting that because ions have an effect on germs that effectively destroys them,

that you should just put up with the ozone created and accept any lung tissue damage as your parting gift?

Not at all.

I am not saying that ozone is not dangerous to breathe in any way.

Are ionizers safe?

Ionizers are safe as long as you stick the rules of safety like making sure you are using it in the designed space it is made for. The real problem that ionizers have is that there have been companies that have sold ozone generators as in home air cleaners. The Environmental Protection Agency targets companies that sold ozone generators as air cleaners right in their title.

In other words it’s not that ozone is used, but how it is used.

Ozone generators are used in many industries because of their capacity to destroy almost every contaminant whether it be in air or water.

But there are some strict rules when using ozone.

1.They should never be used in an occupied room. Whether it be people pets or even plants.

2. The room should be allowed to sufficiently air out before people return.

There are many ionizers that do not create enough ozone to be noticeable or an issue.
But there are ionizers that do create more ozone that can be smelled.

To use an ionizer safely, you should give it the same respect as you give an ozone generator.

Make sure the room is unoccupied before running it and then wait a while for the air in the room to dissipate a while before using it again.

A good analogy is using bleach to clean the bathroom. You know that it’s going to disinfect everything in the room but when you’re done you’re going to have to let it air out before using it comfortably again.

Air purifiers with multiple technologies.

There are many air purifiers that use HEPA and carbon filters as well as ionizers built into the machines.

These technologies work together well.

One way and ionizer can help a HEPA filter is that it can clump particles together and make them big enough to be captured into the HEPA filter.

Another way is charging the filter itself so that it becomes a magnetic field to attract the positive ions (air pollutants)
into the filter.

Conclusion

Air purifiers are very safe to use when they are properly maintained and used correctly.

Most air purifiers are technically just a fan that pulls airborne contaminants through a series of filters.

These air purifiers do not use any electricity other than to power the fan.

The only danger in using one of these air purifiers is electrical shock. But it is the same warning that you have on any other electrical appliance that has to be plugged into an outlet.

But the other most popular type of air purifier is an ionizer.

It note on uses electricity coming from the wall, it uses electricity to polarize the particles in the air.

During the process a small amount of ozone is created.

Ozone is a lung irritant that can exasperate breathing problems and bring on an asthma attack.

Most people would say that you should not use any type of air purifier that creates a ozone by product for that exact reason.

But if you stop right there, you would be missing out on some amazing abilities that ionizers possess.

Ionizers, and more specifically PCO ionizers have the ability to disinfect your air and surfaces, actually rendering germs and viruses inactive.

That is something that a HEPA filter air purifier cannot do.

How to use an ionizer safely

Ozone is used in many industries safely including air purification and water.

The only difference is that professionals who use ozone do so under a couple of strict guidelines.

They do not operate them in an area occupied by people, animals, or plants.

And they let the area completely air out before using it again.

Even though ionizers do not manufacture the level of ozone that a ozone generator does,

does not mean that you should not respect the ozone even at a lower level.

Running your ionizer in an unoccupied room and allowing any ozone to dissipate before using the room again is a perfectly safe way of getting the benefits of an ionizer without any threat of dangerous exposure to Ozone.

Do Air Purifiers Make The Room Stuffy?

What is stuffy air? What does it mean when somebody says the room is stuffy?

Stuffy air means – there is stuff in the air.

What kind of stuff? Yucky stuff.
Stuff like dust mites, bacteria.
Stuff like pet dander and pollen.
Stuff like volatile organic compounds from adhesive and paints, cleaners and aerosols.

Yikes

Can an air purifier make you stuffy?

Yes there are a couple of ways or air purifier can make you feel stuffy.

Placement – the air purifier is positioned in a way that it is filtering towards you, making the air directly around you extra junky.

Maintenance- filters are getting too dirty remove air particles and are becoming a source for air pollution.

There are some appliances but you may want right next to you , like say a fan.

But in the case of air purifier, keeping it right next to your easy chair or bedside can mean that you were pulling all the garbage in the air toward yourself.

Positioning the air purifier to where it’s pulling the air contaminants away from you and your family can help you get the intended result from the unit.

Can an air purifiers make you dizzy?

Maintaining the filter on an air purifier is crucial to the air purifier being able to do its job. If the filters are too dirty,
Not only is the purifier not able to filter the particles in the air that can make you feel stuffy,
The filters themselves can become a source of indoor air pollution.

And that returns you to the point that if you are sitting next to a air purifier that has a nasty germy filter in it, then that is going to affect the air directly around the air purifier and you too.

Dizziness can be a symptom of an allergic reaction to the junk sitting in a badly positioned, poorly maintained air purifier.

The point of an air purifier is to remove the stuff from the air that makes you feel stuffy. To create a space where you can breathe clean air.

Humidity air purifier?

A stuffy feeling is better contributed to the humidity in the air.

Not only does Humidity make the air thick and harder to breathe,

It’s tiny droplets also become containers that help move air pollutants like mold spores further into a room.

Air purifiers do nothing to add or take away moisture in an area.

When the humidity is high, a dehumidifier is a better device because it will not only reduce the amount of humidity in the air,

It will also, by reducing the moisture in the air, reduce the source of nourishment for common indoor allergens like dust mites and mold spores.

In other words, by reducing the humidity, you reduce the pollution in the air at the same time.

Dust mite stuffy nose

Symptoms like pressure in the face and nasal congestion that can be considered a stuffy feeling, can also be contributed to a dust mite allergy.

Dust mites. Dehumidifier or air purifier?

Both. Dehumidifiers work better for the reduction of dust mites in the high humidity months, but since high humidity is seasonal and dust mites or not, air purifiers are more useful all year long.

Dust mites flourish when the humidity is high. Dust mite populations soar when there is extra moisture in the air to feed on.

But do you know what do dust mites also flourish in?

You guessed it. Dust.

Often a room that is closed up without windows like a damp basement is referred to as being stuffy.

What does a damp basement have in common with these issues we have been discussing?

That’s right. They are humid and dusty.

What else in the home is there that can contribute to the amount of dust mites and mold spores to the air content?

The HVAC. (Central heat and air conditioning)

Air conditioning stuffy nose

Air conditioning ducts are a Haven for dust mites.
not only because of the amount of dust and dirt inside of the ductwork,
It is also because of the high level of moisture inside of the machine because the condensation created by the cooling coils.

Central heat and air units or a major contributor to indoor air pollution because of these factors.

If your ductwork and drip pans are not maintained, then the same machine that is used to heat and cool the home can become a whole house source of indoor air pollutants.

Conclusion

Do air purifiers make you feel stuffy?

Though there are reasons why a air purifier can be causing you to feel stuffy.

Specifically that they are placed wrong or that they are not being well maintained as far as keeping the filters replaced and cleaned,

The reason a room feels stuffy should not be contributed to the air purifier as much as it should be blamed on the amount of stuff in your air.

Humidity and dust are the two main factors when a room feels stuffy.

Not only does humidity make the air dense and harder to breathe, it becomes a source of nutrition for dust mites and mold and mildew to grow that causes the mold spore population to grow as well.

Dust mites along with pollen and mold spores are among the most common household allergens that can create a feeling of having a stuffy or blocked face.

During the high humidity months of the year, running a dehumidifier will help reduce the dust mite and molds for population as well as make the air easier to breathe.

But since high humidity is only a problem for a few months of the year, a dehumidifier is generally only a device that comes out of the closet for a few months.

On the other hand, a air purifier will help reduce indoor allergens like dust mites and spores all year long.

Dehumidifier and air purifier combo

There are plenty of dehumidifier and air purifier combination appliances available.
But since the dehumidifier is a rather bulky box looking appliance that puts out a ton of heat and is only useful for a few months of the year, having my air purifier connected to it when I don’t need it is not the best Idea. My opinion.

But there are worse ideals and it is certainly useful to have a dehumidifier handy with your air purifier when you need it and vice versa.