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What Is Best Type Of Air Purifier For Allergies?

If you’re looking for an air purifier for your home,

to help control the  symptoms relating to pollen and dust allergies,

than you probably already know how much of a task it can be.

With the number of vendors and different types of air purifiers,

plus the vast amount of information related to air purifiers it can seem insane.

But there is no substitute for being well informed before making a purchase.

So here goes and we’ll try to keep it simple.

What Is Best Type Of Air Purifier For Allergies?

Are air purifiers worth it?

The first type of air cleaner is the HEPA air purifier.

HEPA air purifiers are easily the most popular and they are so, simply because they work.

Most air cleaning appliances are at the very least combined with a HEPA filter.

And most rely on Hepa as the major part of their purifying capacity.

High-efficiency particulate air filters or HEPA has been around since the 40s.

As a technology it is used in many industries including vacuum cleaners and HVAC filtering, and others.

HEPA air cleaners will filter up to 97% of allergens, including, pollens, spores, and bacteria in your air space.

But HEPA Purifiers do come with a couple of downsides.

One is the only work well in a small area. Being that the air machines really amount to being a large fan that sucks air through a filter, the larger the space, the less likely you are able to get all the air repeating through the filter efficiently.

Secondly, they are noisy.
 So noisy that many companies spin the noise as a blanket of calming sound to help your baby sleep. Thirdly is the replacement parts. You will be buying replacement filters regularly, for the life of the air purifier.
Are air purifiers worth it?

Second to HEPA is the Carbon filter. Carbon filters are almost never sold independently as an air purifier but as a secondary filter in HEPA machines.

Where as  HEPA are capable of filtering particulates as small as .03 microns, they will do nothing for other types of pollutants such as chemicals from aerosols, gases,  and cleaners.

This type of indoor air pollution is known as vocs or volatile organic compounds.  Their size is around the range of .1 microns. Much too small for a HEPA filter.

Carbon filters are the standard for absorbing VOCs.

Which means that they are also very good at absorbing odors, since odors are in gas form.

Carbon filters are typically made out of charcoal and are more like a porous sponge than they are a filter.

The downside to these is:

1.  Small areas only
2. They have to be replaced regularly for the air cleaner to function efficiently. 

The next type of  allergy air cleaner is an ionic air purifier or air ionizer as it is also called.

There are 4 technologies in which air purifiers can use ions to clean the air. They are:

1. Negative ion generators
2. Photocatalytic oxidation
3. Plasma
4. Electrostatic Precipator

The first is the negative ion generator.

These air purifier generate and emit negative ions into the air stream.

The ideal is that negative ions attract positive ions, which in this case are the airborne allergens.

When the negative ions cluster with the positive ions, they become to heavy to float and fall from the ambient air. (the air you breathe)

The obvious downside is the amount of dust that is left on surfaces.

The “surfaces” in this case are usually the closest wall and the air purifier itself.

There is a phrase to describe this  phenomenon called “grey wall syndrome”.

Nothing like having your own phrase to describe your inadequacy.

Also negative ion generators do nothing to neutralize or capture the allergens,

so they are technically still in the room and can be easily stirred up back into the breathing space.

There are certain environments where negative ionizers work well such as a small air purifier on your work desk.

But these units are not made to work in large spaces,

and do emit a small amount of ozone which makes multiplying the amount of units it would take to clean an entire house or business unsafe.

Photocatalytic oxidation is the second type of method which ionization works well to reduce indoor air pollution.

Photocatalytic oxidation or PCO generates ions through a process of combining ultraviolet light with a catalyst coating made of primarily titanium oxide.

The effect is much like covering the air with a blanket of hydrogen peroxide ions and disinfecting the air in the same way that pouring hydrogen peroxide on a abrasion disinfects the wound.

This technology is known for being extremely effective for eliminating mold spores.

It covers a large area and is also way cheaper to use than a HEPA type air purifier because it is a filter less technology that does not require the regular exchange of filters.

Unlike negative ion generators, PCO machines not only create ions that make indoor air pollutants too heavy to float, they also oxidize and neutralize allergens, making them dormant.

The downside is they also create a small amount of ozone.

That is probably one of the reasons you find this technology being combined with carbon filters and plasma technologies.

The third type of ionization air cleaner is Cold Plasma.

Cold plasma works by creating both negative and positive ions and omitting them into the air.

Because of the polarity of the disrupted ions they immediately attract and become one ion combining with anything that gets in the way.

This amounts to the air becoming its own filter.

Sounds amazing simply because it is amazing. Cold plasma is the wave of the future.

The process of cold plasma does not create any ozone and it is effective at absorbing VOCs like formaldehyde.

The fourth type of ion air purifier is the Electro static precipitator.

This is an older technology I am mentioning because it still remains in the the air purification consciousness of the public.


These type of ionic air purifiers had plates in them that were negatively charged to collect the positive polluted ions that were pulled through the machine.

The plates had to be cleaned regularly for them to work.

The usual air purifier hype was that you could simply wipe them off as ai routine when turning your air purifier on and off.

But consumers quickly realize that wiping off meant, scraping.

They also had the typical problem of ozone building up inside the machine.

With Technologies like cold plasma now available,

Electrostatic precipitators, hopefully have become dinosaurs left in the Past.

GOOD RIDDANCE

The fifth type of air cleaner that is used to rid allergies from your air is the UV germicidal lamp.

Ultraviolet light will eradicate anything that it is targeted on.

But because it is impossible to target a UV lamp on the air itself, they are normally included as a secondary method to help keep your HEPA filter from becoming a germ farm.

Another popular method for using UV is to place the ultraviolet light above the coils and the drip pan in your heating and air handler.

This helps kill the bacteria and mold breeding in these dark areas before they ever has a chance to enter your house through the vents of your system.

Even though some UV lights do emit a low level of ozone,

It’s generally agreed the ozone dissipates quickly enough that placing uV or photocatalytic oxidation air purifiers in the hVAC system as an induct air purifier does not pose any risk of symptoms brought on from exposure to Ozone.

Ozone is not recommended as a domestic air cleaner because can be harmful to your lungs when breathed.

Ozone however is very good at destroying any type of air pollution in an industrial setting.

As a commercial air cleaner it is great for  remediation, clearing out second and third hand smoke from vehicles and houses.
As well as an excellent mold solution.

As long as it’s not used as a domestic air purifier in the vicinity of people.

You can think of ozone in much the way you think of bleach. If you douse bleach everywhere  in your bathroom, even though you will kill every germ in there, you will not be going in there for a while because you will not be able to breathe if you do.
Same with ozone.

And if you live in California, you are out of luck, because ozone generators are illegal to sell there.

Finally, and probably the best suggestion for a room allergy air purifier is a multi tech air purifier.

There are many different air purifiers on the market that can combine many different Technologies all in the same box.

The trick is to find the right combination of technologies that work well in concert together.

Not all Technologies work well together. So just buying an air purifier that has every technology may not be the right thing unless you know what each technology does well and use it for that reason.

Most reputable air cleaner companies will have a good explanation of why each technology is combined.

The best of these multi-tech air purifiers are using an on board air quality sensor to measure the air quality in your room.

and then implement the technology that it will take to clean it properly.

They even come with an app so that you can check your air quality and turn your air purifier on remotely anytime you want.

The best whole house air purifier solution is the induct air purifier.

One of the most frequent questions I hear is whether or not one air purifier will work for both the upstairs and downstairs.

The truth is that it is hard to get an air purifier to work outside of one room only.

If you are using stand alone air purifiers and want to clean the air in the whole house,

you will need air purifiers throughout the house.

Or you can carry one air purifier from room to room and let it run a few days in each. Not a suggestion that too many people want to hear.

If your home is set up to do so,

The best answer is to place an induct air purifier in your HVAC system and clean the air the vents in your home.

Most people do not realize that the central heat and air system in their house is also one of the main culprits when it comes to producing allergens and introducing them to the Airstream.

This is because of the environment within the air handler itself. We’re talking about a dark and damp room. Which are the perfect environment and ingredients for mold and mold spores to flourish.

So the air handler becomes not only a source of mold spores flowing through your air, it also redistributes air throughout the house which means that if there is any pollution in one area of the house it will now be evenly distributed throughout the house.

One in duct air purifier placed in the proper area of your HVAC is a great solution for  whole house allergy air purification.

They not only purify the air inside of your vent work so that your machine is distributing clean air, they clean the air coming in from the outside.

What Is an Ionizer Fan?

When you’re talking about a fan ionizer, you have to differentiate between a fan that has an ionizer feature and an ionizer that uses a fan. Also closely related to those is an air conditioner ionizer.

These are all very closely named products that make it very easy to get confused about what is what and what they do.

So let’s break it down a little bit.

What Is A Ionizer Fan?

A Ion fan or a fan ionizer is generally a tower fan that has a ionizer feature included.Its primary function is to blow and cool the air like any other fan but it comes with a small brush ionizer that can emit negative ions into the air while the fan is running. An ionizer with a fan is an air ionizer purifier that includes a fan as a means to help move ions further into a room. Its primary function is to clean the air in a room and it does nothing to cool the air.

Air Conditioner ionizer

An Air conditioning ionizer is an air purifier that goes inside of your HVAC air conditioner.

Its primary function is to clean the air inside of the ductwork and use the HVAC as a whole house air purifier.

How an ionizer works.

An air ionizer removes pollutants like bacteria, pollen, and odors from the air by adding a negative charge to molecules.

When emitted into the room, because of polarity, the negative molecules or ions attract the positive molecules (the pollutants in the air).

Then the newly-formed cluster of combined negative and positive ions become too heavy to float and fall to the surface.

This leaves the Ambient Air free of contaminants to breathe easier

but it also leaves the surfaces around the air purifier dusty.

Whether you have an ionizing fan that includes an ion feature or you have a air purifier ionizer, the premises the same. But the capacity to clean air between the two differs drastically.

Have you ever wondered what the ion setting on a fan is?

It is a button that activates a small ionizer or ionizing wire that is meant to clean the air as it’s blowing from the fan.

Does a fan with an ionizer work?

Yes but not very well. The reason is that negative ions have a very short life span  and need to be eased into the air rather than full-on blown.

A typical room fan is likely to cause the ions to dissipate much too rapidly before they have a chance to clean the air very well.

Compare that to a air purifier ionizer

A air purifier ionizer only has a couple of settings. Fan or no fan.

And the fan is very small and more like the fan on a computer than a fan that is meant to cool off a room.

Ionizers work best as simple negative ion generators that let the ions move at their own pace. Gradually making their way out into an area as a path is made.

When a fan is used on an air ionizer, it is there to help give the ions a little push to get a little more square footage out of a machine.

Cooling the air and cleaning the air are not the same thing and combining the two does not give the best results.

I honestly think that it is much better to use a fan to cool the air and a separate purifier machine to clean the air in a room.
fan ionizer

Are ionizing fans bad for you?

All ionizers create negative ions through either electric spark or UV which causes a small amount of ozone to be created in the process.

The ionizer on a tower fan creates a very low amount of ozone, and then the fan blows it away on the spot. Ozone dissipates very quickly and with the fan right on it, it doesn’t have much of a chance to be a hazard.

I have yet to see a tower fan with an ionizer, that list any warning in their instruction booklet, or give any actual quantity to the amount of ozone being created by the ion feature.

But

An air purifier ionizer with a fan has a much larger chance of creating enough ozone to cause discomfort or irritation to your breathing.

Since the primary function of an ionizer is to create negative ions, the likelihood of ozone buildup is much higher.

Most ionic air purifiers create much less ozone than what is allowed by the EPA.

But not all  ionic air purifier manufacturers follow the guidelines perfectly.

Ozone can build up and you should be aware of it.

Ionizers that are too strong should be treated more like an ozone machine that is meant to be operated when there is no one around. That includes pets.

Many ionic air purifiers have a “while you’re away” setting.

That is another way of saying that the setting is there to create a higher level of ozone and you need to be out of the house or office when it is in use.

Also set a timer to turn the machine off a hour or so before you’re going to be home to allow the ozone to completely dissipate before you get there.

Air Conditioning Ionizer

Have you ever wondered what an ionizer on a AC is?

An air conditioning ionizer or induct air purifier is made to be placed into the ductwork of your HVAC system.

The ideal is that the inside of your ductwork is full of bacteria and germs, as well as dust mites.

By placing ionizers in the ductwork, you clean the air before it ever has a chance to distribute the contaminated air into your Home or business.

This is the safest and most effective way to get a whole house air purification effect out of a ionic air purifier.


Are ionizers good for you?

An air ionizer used in the right way can be a great benefit to your health.

not only do they clear the air of harmful contaminants,

They create a atmosphere of freshness that can have an energized and relaxing affect on your mood.

Are ionizers bad for you?

Though ion machines have some great benefits when they are used correctly, they also have their ugly side when their not.

Ionizers are meant to be used for the exact square footage they were purchased. Placing an ionizer that was meant to cover 300 square feet in a closet will create way too much ozone for the area.

This is the reason to EPA discourages the use of ionizers as an air purifier.

And also one of the reasons why California has banned the sell of air cleaners that create ozone as a byproduct.

Ionizers that create too much ozone should just be labeled ozone machines or ozone generators and be happy about it.

Why would you try to sell me something that’s going to be potentially dangerous when you could tell me right out that I should only use it when I’m out of the house?

If you need an air purifier to sleep with, there are types of air purifiers that use no ozone and would be a better choice in that type of situation.Also you can keep a fan on you while you’re sleeping and not affect the capacity of the air cleaner at all.

Do HEPA Filters Remove VOC’s?

HEPA filters are the number one choice for air purification across most Industries.

Their capacity to capture particulates as small as .3 microns make them extremely efficient at removing pollutants and improving indoor air quality.

But what about pollutants that are smaller then .3 microns?

Do HEPA Filters Remove VOCs?

The answer is no. By definition, VOCs are gas type particles that are smaller than .3 microns. A carbon filter used in conjunction with a HEPA filter is the standard for removing vocs.

do hepa filters remove vocs?

Vocs are usually described as the chemical or gas air pollution that come from building Products such as adhesives, paints, acrylics, and so forth.

Crafting products, tobacco carcinogens, cleaning products also fall under this category.

Formaldehyde, generally agreed to be one of the toughest volatile organic compounds to remove, can in fact be absorbed by a carbon filter.

That point alone puts carbon filters ahead of the game and places them as the top technology for reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Benzene and naphthalene are also adsorbed easily with the use of carbon filters.

But the problem with HEPA and carbon filters being the primary Technologies in these arenas is that,

Air purifier consumers have to unwittingly sign up for the filter of the Month Club in order to keep their machines working properly.

That and the fact that you are limited to using them and a small area primarily.

This makes the use of HEPA and Carbon filters in large buildings with multiple rooms like hospitals and schools very expensive to say the least.

Regardless of their limitations they  remain the industry standard. And Industry standard can sometimes be a barrier that is hard to penetrate.

Especially when the experts have their own HEPA air purifiers that they are touting.

But despite the political Riff Raff, other air purifying technologies are edging their way up because of their capacity to take on large areas without the need of multiple replacement filters.

In duct air purification or HVAC (central heat and air) air purification is the obvious wave of the future and one that HEPA is having a hard time keeping up with.

When it comes to improving air quality throughout multiple rooms and reducing the spread of germs over a large area,

Placing plasma air purifiers in the ductwork not only removes pollution at the source inside the unit,

They also removes the pollution being recirculated through the unit and redistributed back into the air you breathe.

This is a win-win situation and one that HEPA or carbon cannot tackle.

Some will say that you just need to use HEPA filters in your HVAC system and that you only need choose the proper Merv rating for allergens.

The problem is that air Handlers are made for the Air to flow freely

and using a very dense filter like HEPA combined with carbon will place an enormous

amount of strain on the unit setting yourself up for mechanical breakdowns.

That fact and the fact that HEPA filters are much more expensive then the typical air filter,

Shine a large lamp on the inefficiency of HEPA in large multiple room situations.

Using carbon filters to reduce Gas by products in the HVAC suffers from the same scenario.

They restrict airflow through the system and introduce the need for a second filter because HEPA filters cannot absorb gases.

The four Technologies taking on this problem with success are:

  • Ultraviolet sterilization
  • Photocatalytic oxidation
  • Cold plasma
  • HVAC dehumidifiers

HVAC Indoor Air Quality

One of the main problems with controlling air quality in large areas with multiple rooms like schools is that the HVAC that is in place to control the climate in the building is also one of the main contributors of bad air quality itself.

How so?

a.  The environment inside the HVAC housing is not only dark, it is moist. The ideal breeding ground for mold.

This means that without a way of controlling it, each and every time your air handler kicks on,

it is actually distributing mold spores throughout your business or living space.

b.  Outdoor air is distributed through the unit

and depending on the area and  environment you’re in, your inside air can be affected by fuel emissions, industrial smog, etc.

c. Air inside the building is also introduced into the system and becomes part of the recirculating cycle.

That means if one room is dedicated to printing,
the vocs contained in the ink as well as the ozone being sparked when the printers are running
are put back into the Airstream and distributed throughout the whole building for everyone to enjoy.

1. Ultraviolet sterilization works by placing UV lights above the condensers and the drip pans in the plenum of the HVAC.
The ideal is that ultraviolet light kills anything that it is targeted on.
Many industries use UV as a way of sterilizing fish tanks, surgical equipment, and many others.

When I think of UV lamps, they remind me of the barber shop that my father took me to as a kid. I would see that jar that had that blue light in it to sterilize the combs and scissors while I would sit there and get my hair buzzed.

This is the same concept as using UV in your HVAC system.
Placing UV lamps in the areas the drip pan where mold is forming will help kill the mold spores before they ever have a chance to enter into your ambient air. (the air you were breathing).

2. A step up from UV lamps is photocatalytic oxidation.

Photocatalytic oxidation or PCO also uses ultraviolet light but it does so in a different manner.

Instead of focusing on what you were trying to sterilize, the focus on a titanium catalyst.

Ultraviolet light combined with a titanium catalyst creates a reaction of hydroperoxide ions.

Hydroperoxide is the gas form of hydrogen peroxide,

Hydrogen peroxide is the stuff that you pour on a wound to clean it before you put the triple antibiotic on it.

So in a manner of speaking, this technology is like pouring hydrogen peroxide on every infectant in your air  handlers vent work.

These air purifiers are a considerable improvement on UV alone.

Photocatalytic oxidation is also very effective at removing mold spores.

Benefits include filterless air purification and the capacity to cover large areas. Because PCO uses ultraviolet light it does require the annual replacement of the module.

There is a downside though. And though it is not a huge one considering these are purifiers are meant to be placed inside of the ductwork, PCO air purifiers create small amount of ozone in the process.

Ozone is really not an issue here because it dissipates very quickly and will never have a chance to enter into the breathing space.

But unfortunately the mention of the word ozone is enough to deter a large amount of the population from using this technology.

A Pity.

3.  Atmospheric Cold plasma is it technology that works on the molecular level.

It is another form of Ionic air purifier that has an advantage over UV and PCO because

a. it doesn’t introduce ozone or formaldehyde into the airstream.

b. It is extremely effective at reducing microscopic air pollutants like bacteria and mold spores.

pollen

Cold Plasma works by dividing ions into negative and positive. When the split ions spring back together because of polarity they capture any pollutants in the air in the process.

This technology is used to sterilize food and water as well as a dental tool to prevent decay in the teeth just to name a couple.

Because of its ability to reduce any type of VOC including formaldehyde, it is one of the best unheard of air purification methods available.

It is also a very inexpensive type of air purifier to run. It takes very little electricity and requires zero replacement filters.

4.  HVAC dehumidifiers or whole house dehumidifiers or not a full solution for reducing indoor air pollution being circulated through the HVAC

but they can help considerably with controlling air pollution and reducing wear and tear on your air moving system.

a. By reducing the moisture in your system,

you are eliminating one of the primary ingredients production of mold.

Dust mites also need a lot of humidity you to flourish.

b. Humidity causes your system to run over time to cool off a room.

By removing the humidity in the system and in your building,

you are giving your HVAC system a much easier time to work properly and reducing the need for repairs to the system.

Summary

HEPA and carbon filters maybe the industry standard for reducing air pollution

but they are not the only solution and they’re definitely not the less expensive solution especially in large buildings with multiple rooms.

In duct air purification the uses Technologies like cold plasma and photocatalytic oxidation

are as effective and even better in many cases

and are much less expensive to run and keep up with replacement cost and wear and tear on your HVAC system.

Can HEPA and carbon be used in conjunction with other in duct Technologies ?

Of course.

Why shouldn’t you have a carbon filter in your printing room?

also this: ionizer in air purifier

What is a Cold Plasma Air Purifier?

Finding a Layman’s definition of a cold plasma air purifier is not the simplest thing to do.

Maybe the most basic way of defining it is:

A technique of cleaning air that separates ions into negative and positive to get a reaction of them snapping back together because of polarity.

The result is newly-formed clusters of ions that includes any airborne pollution that is in the vicinity when the cold plasma air cleaning technique is applied.

By emitting a equal amount negative and positive ions 

A Cold Plasma Air Purifier causes an atmospheric disruption in the air

that causes the air to be its own filter.

What cold plasma and cold plasma products do or nothing less than astounding.

  • Imagine a scalpel that cleans the wound thoroughly as it is being used by the surgeon. This is what this technology can do.
  • Imagine a way of keeping fruits and vegetables from getting bacteria and rotting. That’s another example.
  • Imagine a technology that can eliminate bacteria in your mouth and keep your teeth from decaying. Another example.
  • And imagine that technology that could completely eliminate any pollution in your indoor air.

This is also possible with cold plasma.

How could then there be such a technology already being marketed and I’m just now hearing about it?

This reminds me of the introduction of 3D printing.

Home Improvement stores loaded up on 3D printing machines in anticipation of the rush by the public to own one.

After all who is not going to want one of these?

It turns out that there wasn’t too many people looking for it.

And even now I doubt most people are even sure of what a 3D printer is or  does.

You have to wonder what they did with all those machines after the public didn’t buy it.

But that doesn’t change the fact that 3D printing is beyond amazing.

But maybe it is so amazing that people just can’t people just can’t comprehend it yet.

On a large scale.

So I guess we’re just going to have to wait a little longer for public awareness to catch up before we get to print our own clothes off of Amazon,  lol. But you get the point.

Even in the age of Technology,  Cold plasma Technologies may just be suffering from the same type of “to  good to be true” syndrome.

And in an industry like air purification where there has already been a widespread blanket of fear,

because of  companies that decided to sell ozone as a domestic air purifier technology and got shut down by the EPA as being dangerous.

And the fact that cold plasma is another form of ionic, and ionic air purifiers also have been hindered from a  reputation of creating a low level of ozone.

(believe me, I’m not anti ozone. Ozone is an excellent way of destroying large amounts of mold and other carcinogens in remedial situations,  but it should not be used in the vicinity of people, much less as an air purifier in your living room)


Also,

Cold plasma air purification just might sound too weird.

The image that the word plasma gives you, sounds more like a volcano spewing lava more than it does describing the process of neutralizing pollution.

All and all I would say that electronic air purifiers are still suffering from a bad reputation and even something is amazing as cold plasma has shade on it.

But if you’re ready to take the leap, cold plasma air purification is come of age.

From the consumer’s point of view, cold plasma as a air purifying technology is a way of eliminating 99% of all indoor allergens and VOCs without producing any ozone or formaldehyde.

And in an industry that is based on back end replacement part sales, primarily filters , Cold Plasma requires very little.

It is widely known that indoor air is far more polluted than outdoor are in most situations.

And it can even be that much worse when there are groups of people that are routinely inhabiting these spaces.

Buildings like schools, hospitals, office buildings require large HVAC (central heat and air) systems to control the climate.

And that is one of The main problems dealing with indoor air pollution.

The air handlers that are controlling the climate are also the Source behind and the vehicle to transport all types of indoor air pollutants.

It is true hVAC systems are equipped with filters. And the filters will create a small reduction in air pollution.

But the type of filter that would actually be able to reduce indoor air pollutants to a manageable level is a HEPA filter.

And HEPA filters are much to dense to allow the air flow that a central air unit needs to run properly.

Also they would require multiple, multiple replacements to work properly and add extra strain to the unit causing far more mechanical breakdown and need for repairs.

So cost efficiency is out the window.

The solution is to put a cold plasma air purifiers into the ductwork of the HVAC system.

The cost of running these air purifiers is very little and they will add zero extra strain to the unit itself.

The process of cold plasma air purification will eliminate any mold and mold Spore production coming from the condensers and drip pans within the unit and effectively capture any outdoor pollutants being circulated throughout the vent work.

One can only imagine the effect of using cold plasma air purifiers in a smoky bar.

Patrons may think they’re in the wrong place.

The Old Guard of placing UV lights above the condensers and drip pans has been relegated to the Past.

Even the PCO units that we’re all the rage are slowly becoming passe.

Or is it a coincidence that many photo catalytic oxidation air purifier manufacturers are now including cold plasma in their units.

How is it that some companies are advertising photocatalytic oxidation air purifiers that do not create ozone?

Being that the UV used in the process had to be at a certain range to avoid the production of formaldehyde in the PCO process.

Can you actually use a ozone free UV lamp without the production of formaldehyde?

Is it now because they also include cold plasma ionization in the units that eliminates formaldehyde?

Many of the same companies are also touting their new extra weighted carbon filters, also known for their capacity to absorb formaldehyde.

Who’s to say?

PCO is an amazing way to control mold and mold spores. So if these companies have found a way to combine PCO and cold plasma to eliminate the side issues of ozone and formaldehyde, kudos to them.

For my money, why not just skip the PCO aisle and go straight for the cold plasma air purifier.

also: ionizer in air purifier

Advantages of Air Purifiers Without Filters

Most people realize as soon as they start shopping around for an air purifier that they are unwittingly going to have to sign up for the filter of the month club.

Or at least be willing to exchange the filters in their new air purifier pretty regular. 

 So it’s no surprise that given the expense of the air purifier and the expense of the replacement filters that the prospect of buying an air purifier that does not need replacement filters sounds good. 

What are the Advantages and disadvantages of filter less air purifiers?

Advantages:

  • No Filter Replacements
  • Destroy Germs and Viruses
  • Work Well as a Whole House Solution

Disadvantages:

  • Can Leave Surfaces Dusty
  • Higher Upfront Expense
  • Most create low ozone is a byproduct
people-father-man-baby

So What are the Advantages of Owning a Filterless Air Purifier?

1. The obvious answer is less expense down the road.  No Ongoing purchasing and replacing filters. 
2. Filterless air purifiers can destroy viruses and germs, something a filter cannot do.
3. Filterless air purifiers can cover a much larger square footage in most cases
4. They are much better at reducing odors and unpleasant smells.
5. Filterless air purifiers can be placed in the HVAC heating ventilation and air conditioning system without placing strain on the system.
6.  They can also be used as a whole house air purifier or whole building solution. 

What are the disadvantages of filterless air purifiers?

1.  The number one disadvantage of filterless air purifiers is that most of them create ozone is a byproduct.
  Ozone can build up in small areas and can be potentially dangerous to breathe.

2. They can leave the surfaces dusty. Since ionization is the primary technology for most filterless air cleaners, you can expect the surface of the walls around the air purifier to be extra dusty.
Ionization creates a situation where dust becomes too heavy to float and falls to the surface.

3.  Small square footage. Stand alone Filterless ionizers create a small amount of ozone as a by-product.
They are meant to be placed and used for the specific square footage they are bought for.

The problem with that is you cannot regulate how people use the cleaners once they have them home.
Placing too large of a ionic air purifier into a small area can create much too much ozone.

4.  Upfront expense. Even though there may be less expense in the form of replacing filters, most filterless air purifiers are more expensive up front.

5.  Maintenance. Even though you are not replacing filters, there is usually some type of PCO UV module that has to be replaced.
And getting back to expense, the modules typically run higher than filters so you are still going to get to pay somehow someway.

 Isn’t that the way it always is. 

Also maintenance doesn’t just mean maintaining the air purifier, it can also mean more house cleaning in the form of dusting when you are using an ionizer.

Smart Air Purifiers

Going filterless is not the only way you can save money with an air purifier.

The best home air purifier utilize both filter and filterless technologies.

There are many air purifiers that combine different technologies better able to reduce and destroy indoor air pollution up to 99 .9%. it sounds incredible but nonetheless true.

Just like anything else you can buy the entry level model or you can get the Cadillac.

The Cadillac of air purifiers not only filters the air in the room, it treats it only  when it is necessary.

And it does it all by sensors that measure the air quality and introduce as much or less air purification that is needed for the situation.

These air purifiers even come with their own app so that you can measure and control your air purifier with your phone.

The apps can even give you an update on your air quality and alert you when something has caused indoor air pollution to spike.

These smart air purifiers usually come with 3, 4, and 5 stages of technology to eliminate specific types of indoor air pollutants.

For instance, a plasma ionizer may be employed too neutralize and cluster together any bacteria that is in the air,  then the HEPA filter would filter out the clustered ions or dust.

 The Best of Both Worlds. 

Another way multiple technologies can be used in an air purifier is to have a ultraviolet light targeting the filter to kill the germs that are trapped there.

Filterless In Duct Air Purifiers

 One advantage of filterless air purifiers over HEPA air purifiers is they can become a whole house HVAC system for a whole lot less expense and wear and tear on your central heat and air system. 

A big plus of having a filterless air purifier inside the ductwork verus a stand-alone filterless air purifier is that any ozone that is produced as a by-product will have dispersed and dissipated before it enters into the main airstream of the home or business.

This means that only clean, free of bacteria and virus air can move throughout your house without any worries of adding any irritants to your air.

There is virtually no wear and tear on the system and the amount of energy to run it amounts to about the same as powering a light bulb.

The disadvantage of filterless in duct air purifiers is that it usually takes a technician to install and to replace any module when it is time.

Though more than ever if you are willing to do the work yourself, you can find some induct air purifiers that  install as easily as cutting a hole in the ductwork and screwing it in.

Plus these days there’s a instructional video available on YouTube for just about any type of installation.

 Why is this so much better than putting HEPA filters in your HVAC? 

Your HVAC needs air to be able to flow freely through the system in order to work efficiently.

HEPA filters are much too dense to allow air to flow freely in your system.

This can cause extra strain on your system which will mean more repairs down the line,

They also cost quite a bit more than a regular air conditioning filter.

And the energy to run your air unit will increase because of the restrictions to your air flow causing your electric bill to be higher.

Summary

Are air purifiers worth it?

Most consumers shopping for air purifiers, want to at least explore the possibility of going filterless when they find out how often and how expensive their filter replacement will run.

The advantages of going filteress include less expense in replacement filters and the capacity to eradicate germs not just capture them.

While the disadvantages a filterless air purifiers are primarily related to the buildup of ozone as a by-product.

We also mentioned that going filterless is not the only way to save money, there are many smart air purifiers available that use multiple technologies but do so only when is needed so that the life of 

your filters and air purifier is lengthened.

Also for those who need a whole house air purifier, an induct purifier utilizes the HVAC system to provide a ozone free and filterless way cleaning 

the air in the whole house.

What Does Ion Mean On A Fan? The Surprising Truth About Ionizing Fans

A fan is a pretty simple device. It blows air and it osculates.

It has very few working parts aside  from what speed to run it on,

and a lever to keep the air moving in one direction or going from side to side across a wider area.

But once in a while you’ll find something you’re not used to looking at on the fan.

And that’s something in this article is an ionizer setting.

What Does Ion Mean On A FanWhat does ionizer mean on a fan?

Ion stands for ionizer or negative ion generator. An ionizer on a fan is there to help clean the air as it is cooling the air.

Ionizers emit negative ions into the air stream as a means of purifying the air of contaminants such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores, etc.

How does an air ionizer work?

Polarity. When negative ions are emitted into the air, they automatically,  through polarity, attract the positive ions in the air.

When the negative and positive ions snap together to become one,  they trap whatever pollution that is present in the air together with them into a cluster of ion’s and airborne pollutants.

This newly-formed particle is too heavy to float so as a result, it falls to the surface and out of the ambient air that you breathe. 123 knockout.

 

Lasko Ion Fan

Lasko 2505 Portable Electric 36”Oscillating Tower Fan with Fresh Air Ionizer- Click Here For Price


The Lasko Ionizer Fan

is the most popular fan with an ion setting. Nice fans. You can check them out here.


Negative ions also have the reputation of creating a freshness in the air. There are even claims that having an overabundance of negative ions in a room can create a feeling of well being.

The atmosphere that an overabundance of negative ions create can be compared to the after a thunderstorm feeling where everything is light and calm.

But..

Negative ion generators are notorious for leaving the area around the ionizer dusty.

There is a term for it. “Grey wall syndrome”.

Grey Wall Syndrome

Its names Grey Wall because the walls tend to get the brunt of it. What it is , is an area on the around the ionizer that is collecting dust. Its a little like the dirty area around a air conditioner or heating vent

Also anything that is already magnetized with static like a TV screen will attract the newly-formed dust particles more heavily.

And also the ionizer itself also can get super dusty. Which adds to the point that not only will you need to dust more often to keep the dust down, the ionizer will be less effective if it’s not kept clean so that the ions can freely leave the machine without being obstructed.

Are ionizing fans bad for you?

Are ionizing fans bad for you?

Ionizing fans are not dangerous because they do not create enough ozone to be so. And any ozone they create, dissipates quickly because it is blown away by the fan.

Ionic purifiers or ionizers are also notorious for creating ozone as a by-product.

You may have heard someone say or even said it yourself, that the air purifier has a weird smell. That weird smell is probably the smell of ozone..


“If you haven’t seen it yet“, the

Clarifion Portable Plug-in Travel Air Ionizer

is a pretty sweet gadget that is getting a ton of great reviews. You can see it here.

What does ozone smell like?

Ozone is said to have a fresh, after a thunderstorm scent. But some have described it as a pungent, antiseptic smell, similar to bleach.

Ozone oxidizes practically anything it comes in contact with including lung tissue. That is why it is dangerous to breathe substantial amounts of ozone.

Ionizers have been called out by the EPA because even though most create a very low level of ozone, even a small amount of ozone that is not regulated by making sure the level of ozone is compatible with the room size can be dangerous.
And since you cannot regulate how a consumer uses an ozone device once they have it in their possession, it poses a risk.

Ionizing fans have a very small needlepoint ionizer that creates little to no ozone. The machine is in no way considered an ozone generator and the product specifications do not indicate any level of ozone being created.

Ozone at a large level will dissipate on its own in about 30 minutes. And that’s without a fan.

With a fan built in, like on an ionizing fan, ozone does not have any chance of sticking around at any level that can be considered dangerous.

Verdict: Ionizing fans are safe to use.

Air Tamer Ionizer

 AirTamer A310

is another cool way to get the effects of an ionizer without the threat of high ozone, AirTamer is the leading personal wearable air purifier on the market using cutting-edge technology to emit negative ions and push pollutants away from your breathing zone. See Reviews Here.

FAQ

Do fan ionizers really work?

Unfortunately fan ionizers are limited both as a fan and as an ionizer.

They are limited as an ionizer because:

A. Ions have a very short shelf life. They dissipate very quickly.

Ionic air purifiers usually do not come with a fan or if they do it’s a very small fan comparable to the fan on a computer.

Generating negative ions and then blowing them across the room with a regular sized fan is not a technique that works for spreading delicate ions through an area.

Most of the ions will dissipate very fast when the fan hits them and do very little good to rid the air of contaminants.

Negative ion generators work best at cleaning the air directly around the air machine. Most do not recommend trying to clean an area more than a hundred or a 150 square feet. And that’s the absolute optimal.

That is one reason why personal wearable ionizers are popular because they ionize the air directly around your face and mouth. They are very small and meant only as a means of purifying the air directly in front of your face so that you are breathing in clean air. Check out the AirTamer if you want see a good one.

B.  Ionizing fans do not work great as a fan either because the lower speed settings are slower than typical standing fans to try to accommodate the short life of ions.

But even as at lower speeds, as stated before, ions dissipate much too quickly for a tower fan to work well as an ionizer,

And the lower speeds make the fan less effective at cooling air.

My opinion is that some technologies do not work particularly well together and two of those technologies that maybe should not be paired are ionizers and standing fans.

In both cases it would be much better to pick a machine based on its strengths.

There are some amazing air purifiers that clean up to 99% of airborne dust, pollen, dander, dust mites, odors and even viruses.

Likewise there are some really awesome fans available; they can create layers of airflow one upon another and effectively move across a large area without too much noise.

An ION fan is a novel ideal but you can get a much better result from a single air purifier and a single fan. Like I said, some technologies just don’t make good combination devices, 

Summary

There are different settings on a fan that you may not recognize off
hand. The ion button may be one of them.

The ion button on a fan is there to engage a negative ionizer feature.

Ionizers are devices that clean the air by emitting negative ions. And through polarity creating dust particles that are too heavy to float.

Unfortunately the nature of ions as being very delicate make the use of an ionizing fan less-than-ideal for not only cleaning the air but for cooling the air either.

Though there is no danger posed by using the ionizer on a fan, there is also only a minimal amount of benefit that you can get from using an ionizer on a standing fan.

Air ionizers and tower fans are not two devices; they can be paired together to make a better machine.

My advice is to pick an air purifier based on its performance for cleaning air and pick a fan based on its performance for moving air and never the twain shall meet.

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Lasko Wind Curve� Bluetooth Tower Fan

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20 Ways to Lower the Humidity in Your House

Are you wondering how to lower the humidity in your house? You are not alone, as a lot of people feel a sense of discomfort and unhappiness when they deal with super high humidity levels. And that’s why it makes a lot of sense to find new, creative ways to lower home humidity as quickly as possible. With that in mind, here you have a few tips that will help in this situation.

1.Use a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is one of the simplest tools you can use to keep the humidity levels as low as possible. It’s highly recommended to invest in a good dehumidifier since it allows you to ensure proper airflow circulation, all while eliminating any humidity from the air. Ideally you want to keep the unit away from furniture or any walls, unless it has air vent on the top.

2. Clean the downspouts and gutters

You want to do this because they will carry water away from your home. It’s a good idea because if you don’t do this, you will end up with high humidity levels in your home. Plus, it’s a good idea to restrict watering plants to bare necessities, just to be safe. The more restrictions you have in this situation, the better it will be as you do want to avoid complications.

3. Keep fresh-cut firewood outside

Why is this important? The most important aspect to consider is that freshly cut firewood has large amounts of water in it when you store it indoors. You want to leave the firewood outside so all that water will evaporate. If you don’t do that, then you will increase the humidity levels inside. Even if it doesn’t feel like a lot, in a situation like this, every little thing counts, so you might as well want to take that into consideration just to be safe.

4. Bring all your plants outside

Don’t keep plants indoors. They end up increasing the humidity levels and that’s the type of thing that you want to avoid. Ideally you want to keep them outside and you will be just fine. You could also keep them in a single room, however that room will have lots of humidity, so you really need to figure out what works for you here.

5. Keep the AC drip pans and drain lines clean

If you keep them clean and unobstructed, it will be a lot easier to avoid any humidity issues. The AC will remove all the humidity from your room. However, if the AC is not working properly, then you will have issues with this approach. You need patience to do this right, but it will be worth it.

6. Vent your clothes dryers outside

The reason you want to do that is that you end up generating a lot of humidity if you do this inside. There’s no real benefit coming with performing this activity inside anyway, so you have to figure out what works for you and how you can adapt to the entire process.

7.Add double-glazing to your windows

When you do that, you will have less humidity and that on its own can be a very important aspect to consider. Double-glazing really brings in front great results, and the best part is that you can avoid severe condensation without spending a whole lot of money. It’s the best of both worlds and you should totally check it out.

8.Aerate your attic and basement

Normally these are two of the places in your home where you will have a lot of moisture. If you start bringing in fresh air in there, you will start removing more and more moisture naturally. It’s one of the best approaches you can have and it does work really well if you do it right. We recommend you to test it out and perform this task often to avoid moisture and dampness in your home.

9. Use a fan in your kitchen

If you cook often, you will generate humidity in your kitchen. It makes a lot of sense to use a fan or anything that will bring in fresh air and push the humidity away too. This is an important aspect to think about, and it will offer you a very good experience every time. In a situation like this, you need to start easily, and this approach does make a lot of sense.

10. Open the fireplace damper

The fireplace damper allows you to push moisture away from your room. It’s a good way to lower the humidity naturally, and we believe that you should always consider it as one of the first things you can do when you deal with lots of humidity inside your home.

11. Open up the windows

This is simple, but it helps you push humidity away, all while bringing in dry air from outside. You have to figure out what approach works for you, and it all comes down to delivering the best results and having the right approach here.

12. Cover your food while cooking

Another interesting thing to do when you are cooking is to try and cover the food. This will keep the humidity under control. Alternatively, you could use a slow cooker, which brings pretty much the same experience and great results you would expect. It’s always a good idea to find alternative solutions, and it can be very well worth the effort all the time without any worries.
Lower your Humidity

13. Take cold, short showers

Hot showers will generate steam and that will obviously increase the humidity levels in your home. Not only that, but if those hot showers are long, then you are further increasing the humidity levels. You need to pay a lot of attention to this, because the more you take hot showers, the more humidity you are generating within the entire home.

14.Replace the carpet if it’s a model that retains moisture

Some types of carpets like the fluffy or very thick ones tend to retain a lot of moisture. They will also end up capturing dust mites and bacteria. It makes a lot of sense to replace your carpets with simpler ones. Make sure that you go with carpets that are not going to retain any moisture. And if you do that properly, it will be more than ok.

15.Add wrap or tubular insulation

Insulating tubing works great for the cold water pipes. It will help decrease sweating, and the best part is that you will have less humidity in your home. Even if it seems like a simple thing to do, it will make quite the difference.

16. Repair the door and window frames

When you have issues with the window and door frames, the first thing you want to do is to repair them. These frames can bring in moisture into your home, and that’s the last thing you want to have. Even some simple repairs can make quite the difference, and all you need is to give these a try, it will be well worth it in the end.

17.Insulate the crawl spaces

The best method you can use for insulating crawl spaces is through using a plastic vapor barrier. This is not that hard to do actually, and it will bring in front some pretty impressive results. The idea is to know how to perform proper insulation, and if you do it right, it will be a very good experience.

18. Waterproof the concrete basement walls

Waterproofing these walls will be a major way to deal with excess humidity. Most of the time concrete walls will bring in humidity to your home. That’s why waterproofing them is so important, and you should treat this as a priority to avoid any possible problems.

19. Treat the foundation with Hydroclay

Hydroclay is known for waterproofing tunnels. It’s a water-absorbing clay, and it will seal the basement where you have water infiltrations. Waterproofing your foundation with this will make quite the difference, and it will help you keep your home safe. Plus, you get to deal with humidity the right way, and that on its own can deliver quite the difference.

20. Vinyl wallcovering

Using vinyl wallcovering can be a very good idea. The trick here is that this type of wallcovering will help trap the moisture and basically keep it out. If you ignore this, it will lead to mold growth. So that’s certainly something to keep in mind.

Conclusion

It’s very important to find great, creative ways to keep the humidity levels as low as possible within the entire home. If you have low humidity levels within your home, you will breathe better, your skin will feel better, and you will have a great sense of well being. It’s important to take all of this into consideration, and the results can be very good every time. If you still have high humidity levels within your home, it’s a very good idea to hire a professional and solve this issue!

Best Ways of Removing Pet Hair From Air

I love my animals. Two dogs and two cats.

One of the dog stays outside 90% of the time and has a designated bed when she comes in the house.

But the other dog pretty much has free reign to the house.

Likewise, one of my cats stays in the house all the time and one of my cats lives in the garage.

We have a unique situation in that my wife is allergic to dogs and cant touch them without immediately washing her hands.

And I’m allergic to the cat in the garage.

Granted there are Hypoallergenic  house cats that don’t shed a whole lot including the
1. Siamese
2. Bengals
3. Bombay
4. Russian Blue

And believe me if I were better at looking for a cat as a pet, I would definitely have chose one of those.

But that is not how the cat in the garage came to live with us.

And that is definitely not the kind of cat we have in the garage.

The cat in the garage is named Merida and  Merida sheds more than any animal I’ve ever seen.

You cannot pet that cat without getting hair all over your hands and  your clothes.

Needless to say, I’m in a constant sneezing and running nose dilemma whenever I’m in Merida’s domain.

And since I do tend to work in the garage quite often I’ve had to figure out a few things so that me and Merida can coexist.

Here’s a few things I can tell you first-hand:

Some of the Best Ways to Remove Pet Hair from Air
1. Grooming
2. Restricted Living Space
3. Cleaning
4. Air Purifiers

1.  Grooming

This is the number one way I have found to keep the hair from getting all over the place. I bought a pet hair brush that removes a crazy amount of hair off of the cat at one time.

I open the garage door, step outside with the cat and go to town brushing her  The cat loves it and she leaves a whole lot less hair around the garage when I do this regularly.

  The dogs are a different story though.

Although the outside dog is a lab mix and doesn’t get too many baths,

  The little dog in the house has to have regular haircuts and regular baths or he just becomes right out nappy.

That’s when the sneezing and itchy eye craziness gets out of control for my wife.

It is amazing how much better it is for her when the dog is groomed and bathed.

And It’s a lot better for him also, because everybody wants to pet and hold him a lot more when he’s clean.

2. Restrict the living area of your pets

  Keeping the dander down and out of the air is a lot easier when the animal has their own confined space.

There is no way we could live with  Merida if she stayed in the house all the time.
That being said, we do let her come in the house and visit everyone,

but she primarily stays in the garage and its primarily because of the amount of cat hair that she leaves everywhere.  (she does have some issues with using the litter box regularly but that’s a different article, you can read more about that here)

Keeping the allergens at Bay by keeping the cat outside is one plan that works for us and especially me.

3.  Cleaning

Baby wipes for pet hair

This one works particularly well for my wife. Giving the dog a mini bath with baby wipes helps quite a lot towards keeping her from getting allergy crazy when the dog is around or she when pets the dog.

I’ve seen some wipes for cats on Amazon but I have not tried them.
Seems like a pretty good idea but I can imagine it’s kind of hard bathing the cat with them when the hair is falling off everywhere.

Hand Sanitizer for cat dander

We also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer around. It’s an easy go to when you don’t have access to a sink right away after you been touching the animals.

Vacuum for pet hair

Pet hair tends to accumulate and get all over the furniture and the Carpet and the hardwood Floors.

Everyone who has a cat has probably experienced vacuuming the floor and couch only to discover an insane amount of cat hair in the vacuum dump canister after they are done.

I got a Hoover Rewind from Walmart for vacuuming. Like I said before it’s crazy how much cat hair that thing picks up.

Keeping the floors and the furniture vacuumed is one of the best ways to keep the pet hair out of the air.

Keeping the house clean will keep pet allergies down quite a lot.

But one thing to remember about sweeping and vacuuming is that you are kicking the dust and dander back into the air when you do so.

 

4.  Air Purifier for Cat Hair

 

That leads to the next solution to keeping pet hair out of the air.

An air purifier placed in the right spots we’ll keep the ambient air ,the air you breathe free from airborne allergens including dog and cat dander.

  Using a air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter will capture particles as small as .3 microns.

What is the Micron size of pet dander?

The Micron size of pet dander is typically about 5 up to 10 microns.

Which is well in the range of the capacity of the HEPA filter.

Pet dander is actually the bacteria that makes it to the air via your pets shedded fur.

It’s the part of the fur that people are allergic to.

Though a HEPA air purifier can filter out particles as small as bacteria,

  they are not meant for larger debris like animal fur.

The solution is to make sure that any air purifier you buy has a pre-filter to capture all the big junk before it gets into the HEPA filter.

A pre-filter is typically made out of plastic and is easily washable.

A lot of people still have the ideal that air purifiers are gimmicky or dangerous.

Today’s air purifiers are very sophisticated and capable of eliminating about every type of indoor air pollution there is.

Is it okay to leave an air purifier on all the time?

Yes and no.

Of course you can leave your air purifier on all the time but there is a few things you may want to take into consideration.

1.  HEPA air purifiers can only cover a small amount of space. It is more practical to keep it on only when you are in that particular space.

  For instance, an air purifier will help you sleep by keeping the air that you breathe clean while you are sleeping,

But if you’re not there to breathe the clean air, you’re only using energy and shortening the life of the air purifier and the replacement filter.

A better solution to running your air purifier all the time is buying an air purifier with built-in air quality sensoring.

As I stated before, many air purifier brands have become quite sophisticated.

Many Brands come equipped with indoor air quality sensors to monitor your air.

The sensors communicate with the air purifier so that it only runs as much or less as needed.

  These are air purifiers are typically outfitted with the latest app so that you can control your air purifier and find out what the air quality is of your home right from your phone.

2. Some air cleaners use ionizers that can create low amounts of ozone. Ozone can build up over time. That is one of the particular reasons that the EPA discourages the use of ozone as a domestic air cleaner.

Is Ozone Dangerous for Pets?

Ozone is not meant to breathe in any kind of large quantity. That goes for human lungs and animal lungs.

Ozone should only be used as an air purifier for remediation use and when there is no one around till the ozone clears out.

My animals are a big part of my life as I’m sure yours are,. but sometimes getting along with them requires a little more help in the air quality Department.

Keeping your animals groomed and your house clean,

as well as running a good HEPA air purifier will help go a long way in keeping your air free of hair and your allergies from going haywire.

Peace.

Do Air Purifiers Make the Room Cold?

It can be confusing sifting through all the products and appliances that deal with airflow.

There are a lot of misconceptions and questions that people have , for instance,

Does an Air Purifier make the room cold?

The answer is:

No an air purifier does not make the room cold. It is a device to clean the air and not cool it down.

Most air purifiers do have a fan, but the fan is not in place to blow air out, rather pull air into a filter.

The point is , with so many different types of devices and machines that have similar names and all deal with the air somehow,
knowing what each one is and what it does can take some research.

  Hopefully this article will add some clarity and help clear up a few of the misconceptions that people can have when they need a specific appliance for their air.

Air Purifier

A air purifier is a device
that purifies or cleans the air through different means,
primarily filtering.

Air purifiers are also called:
1. Air Cleaners
2. Air Sterilizers
3. Air Scrubbers
4. Air Ionizers
5. Air Filters
6. Ozonators
7. Odor Removing Machines
8. Negative Ion Generators

Like we stated in the beginning of this article, air purifiers or not the same as Air conditioners. They primarily clean the air where as an air conditioner cools the temperature of the air.

Dyson has an air purifier that is an exception to the rule. It cools the air and filters the air in the same unit. You can check it out here.

All air purifiers are not made the same and they do not all use the same technology to clean air.

Before purchasing an air purifier, you should do a little research to find out which air cleaning technology is right for you. You can find a good resource here.

Air conditioner

Air conditioners are devices
or machines that condition
the air in the room to be cold or cooler.

Different types of air conditioners include:
1. Window air conditioners
2. Central air conditioners
3. Ductless air conditioners
4. Portable air conditioners
5. Heat pumps.

One question we get regularly in regards to these units is:

Can a Air Conditioner Make you Sick or Give you a Sore Throat?

The answer is yes,

The air conditioner housing , being dark and humid can provide an excellent environment to grow mold and bacteria.

A poorly maintained and uncleaned air conditioner can introduce mold and airborne allergens into the air each time it turns on.

This explains why your allergies can flare up and you feel sick when the air conditioner is on.

This can be noticeable especially at the beginning of the season after having not use the unit for a while.

As you can see,

That is just another reason why it can be confusing determining whether you need a air purifier or an air conditioner.

  If Air conditioning can be a contributing factor in the air quality of the home or office,

then it only makes sense that an air purifier for air purification should go hand-in-hand with air conditioner.

Luckily they’ve got you covered. You can take a look at those kinds of products here.

Can an air conditioner be used as a air purifier?

Can an Air Conditioner Filter Pollen?

Yes your central air conditioner can filter out pollen provided that you are using the right filter for it.

But it is important to remember that a filter that is capable of filtering out pollen and bacteria is going to be very dense and is going to cause your air conditioner to work extra hard.

That will add to your energy cost and take away from the life of the air conditioner.

Air conditioning filters are primarily put in place to protect the air conditioner itself , although they do help keep air pollutants from circling through the building to a point.

Humidifier

The humidifier is another airflow machine that can be confusing to understand what it does and whether or not you need it.

A humidifier adds humidity to a room by converting water into a mist that blows from the machine.
There are 5 basic types of humidifiers including:
1. Cool Mist
2. Ultrasonic
3. Warm Mist
4. Evaporative
5. Vaporizers

Does a humidifier Cool the air?

A cool mist humidifier has a cool Vapor that comes from it so technically you could get a little bit of cool air on You by sitting next to it,

But that’s not really the point, that is just a side benefit and it only works with a cool mist humidifier.

The purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture to your room to counter the effects of dry climate like dried out nasal cavities and chapped lips,etc.

Humidifier uses:

Dry air can come with a lot of negative symptoms.

Humidifiers can help alleviate many of the problems and symptoms related to living in a dry climate.

Conditions like:

Bloody noses
Dry skin
Congestion
Chapped lips

To name a few.

Humidifiers can also be a great way to get a better more peaceful night’s rest.

They can also help reduce snoring and sleep apnea.

A Humidifier running in the bedroom at night will also add a little white noise.

White Noise has shown to help some people sleep deeper and for longer periods of time.

Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is a device that extracts humidity from a room.

Many people have the opposite problem from dry air.
They live in climates that are extra humid for most of the year.

This is another appliance that causes a lot of confusion when you’re talkin about air conditioning.

Will a dehumidifier help cool a house?

Yes and no. A dehumidifier does not produce cool air but it does reduce humidity and humidity will cause the house to feel muggy and warm.

It will also take the strain off of the air conditioner so that it feels like your air conditioner is working much better.

  An air conditioner can work twice as hard in and environment where there is a lot of humidity.

If you ever have been down south in the summer you know what I mean. You can turn your air conditioner on full blast and not feel like it is on.

Other Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier:
1. Mold reduction
2. Home stabilizing
3. Dust mite reduction
4. Reduces indoor air pollution
5. Lower your energy cost.

Humidity helps provide the ideal breeding ground for mold. Mold can bring about a whole host of household problems.

1.  Mold can rot your wood. When the beams in your home get wet they can become weaker over time.
2. Dust mites live and thrive in humid conditions. Dust mites can invade your bedding and your furniture making your home “allergic”.
3. Mold spores along with a thriving dust mite community can cause the air in your home to be very poor.

Does a dehumidifier clean the air?

No it will not technically clean the air but it can help keep the home dry so that many of the air pollutants that thrive and grow in humidity will never become a problem in the first place.

How can a dehumidifier save you money?

1.  By reducing the amount of maintenance and repairs caused by mold.

2. Air conditioners have to run twice as hard when there is high humidity.

A dehumidifier will help the air conditioner run easier. That will prolong the life of your air conditioner and lower your electric bill.

Summary

This article has hopefully helped introduce to you the differences between a air purifier, air conditioner, humidifier, and a dehumidifier.

And cleared up some of the misconceptions about which of these appliances cool the air.

5 Breathing Techniques that Reduce Anxiety and Help you Calm Down

We’re always being told how powerful and effective breathing techniques can be. Breathing is wonderful for controlling anxiety and the effects it has on your body. The problem is that most breathing techniques for anxiety are riddled with jargon or seem to require a deep knowledge of yoga. With that in mind, here are 5 breathing techniques that reduce anxiety and help you calm down. All of these techniques are simple and easy and can be done whenever you feel the need.

  1. Deep Breathing

While deep breathing is mostly used to reduce stress, it can also help with reducing anxiety. The idea behind deep breathing is the same as with any kind of breathing exercise. Focusing on the inhalation and exhalation, and taking control of the process, takes your mind off of the thoughts that are causing your anxiety. It also helps to relieve one of the major symptoms of anxiety – being short of breath.

How to Practice Deep Breathing

  1. Find a comfortable position
  2. Breathe in deeply through your nose and count to five
  3. Hold your breath for another count of five
  4. Exhale through your mouth for another count of five
  5. Repeat the process a few times
  1. Abdominal Breathing

The idea behind abdominal breathing is that you should pay attention to your muscle movements. It sounds simple enough, so let’s put it into practice.

How to Practice Abdominal Breathing

  1. Lie down flat. Keep your knees propped or stretch out your legs, whichever is more comfortable for you.
  2. Put your left hand on your chest and place your right hand on your stomach. You can also go the other way around if you prefer. Once again, choose the option that is most comfortable for you.
  3. 3. Breathe in through your nose at a slow and steady rate.
  4. Ensure that your diaphragm inflates. You should be able to feel the hand on your stomach move outwards while the hand on your chest remains still as you breathe.
  5. Exhale. Purse your lips together and push the air out of your body by tightening your stomach muscles. This should also cause the hand on your stomach to move inwards.
  6. Try to keep the hand on your chest as still as possible throughout the whole exercise
  7. Repeat the exercise several times a day, aiming for ten minutes of abdominal breathing twice a day.
  1. The 4-7-8 Exercise

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise, created by Dr Andrew Weil of Harvard, was inspired by Indian spiritual traditions. It can help you to relax in just about any situation. Dr Weil goes so far as to suggest that the technique can help you to fall asleep within a minute. It’s a sort of natural tranquilizer for your nervous system. It reduces tension and makes it easier to relax. It’s also really simple to practice and perform and can be done by anyone at any time.

How to Practice the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

  1. Close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of four
  2. Hold your breath for a count of seven
  3. Exhale through your mouth for a count of eight
  4. Repeat the process a few times

What makes this technique so effective is that it lets more oxygen enter your lungs. All of the extra oxygen relaxes the nervous system and induces a state of calm across your whole body. Your nervous system can get overstimulated when you are stressed, which makes anxiety worse. Give the 4-7-8 technique a try the next time you get stressed out.

4. Alternate Nostril Breathing

If you have problems controlling your anxiety, then alternate nostril breathing can hep you to focus better and feel more in control. It helps to eliminate unwanted and worrying thoughts. Giving yourself some extra headspace can get rid of the concerns and negative thoughts that are causing your anxiety, giving you a much needed moment of peace.

How to Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing

  1. Sit down in a comfortable position. This can be on a couch, on your bed, or anywhere else you feel more comfortable
  2. Place your right thumb over your right nostril
  3. Inhale slowly through the left nostril. Inhale as deeply as you ca.
  4. Hold your breath and cover your left nostril with your right finger to open up the right nostril
  5. Exhale through the right nostril
  6. Repeat the exercise a few times to clear out your head

Don’t forget; breathe in through the right nostril and breathe out through the left one!

  1. Equal Breathing

If your stress gets out of control you might have problems breathing properly. As unpleasant as breathing difficulties are, they also help you regain control and calm.

You can take back control of your breathing to feel better. It’s amazing how much relief you can get from taking control over the bodily reactions associated with stress. As the name would imply, equal breathing is about breathing a balanced amount of air.

How to Practice Equal Breathing

  1. Breathe in with your nose for a count of five
  2. Breathe out through your nose for a count of five
  3. Repeat the process until your stress washes away

The equal breathing technique has been proven effective for those who have trouble with stress and panic attacks.

Summary

Anxiety is becoming more and more of an issue, and it can become a nightmare if you don’t take care of it early.

While knowing how to properly manage anxiety can be a long-term process, taking control as soon as it kicks off can help you stay in control. This helps motivate you to keep pushing and prevent anxiety attacks.

It can be difficult to get rid of anxiety, especially if you have a busy schedule, but putting aside just 10 minutes a day for breathing exercises will keep you happy and healthy.