If you spend a lot of time indoors, you will notice that indoor air is not as clean as it ought to be. You may need a little help to purify your indoor air, especially if you have allergies.

You should use indoor air quality testing periodically to test the quality and health of indoor air. This will help you make decisions about how to clean the air, whether it be hiring an air quality specialist or getting a stronger air purifier.

The purpose of air purifiers is to rid indoor air of pollutants such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold; but also volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by carpets and household chemicals, such as disinfectants and paints. Air purifiers can be distinguished by their sphere of operation and also by the filtering technology they use.

Portable Filters

They are effective for purifying a single room. These are ideal when you don't have a heating and cooling system that covers the entire house. They are also light and easy to move around.

Whole House Air Purifiers

They can cover the entire house. They are connected to an existing whole house cooling and heating system.

Whole house air filters may also be attached to the furnace to replace the old filter. They are cheaper and easier to install than the whole house air purifier. They are however not as efficient as portable room purifiers.

HEPA Purifiers

HEPA purifiers eliminate a majority of the particles over 0.3 microns large. HEPA purifiers are best at trapping particles. Some HEPA purifiers have a carbon component that helps with extracting odors and gases from the air.

Your air conditioning service professional will assist you with installation as you may not be able to do it yourself. HEPA filters will last two-four years.

Negative Ion Purifiers

These work by eliminating particles from the air and attaching them onto surfaces in the room.

This means that they neither absorb nor eliminate solid pollutants. Particles attached to surfaces such as walls and windows can come loose and find their way back into the air.

Air Purifiers with Activated Carbon Purifiers

These use carbon technology. Purifiers with activated carbon are very effective at capturing gases and household chemicals as well as cigarette smoke and other odors.

However, they are not that effective when it comes to getting rid of particles. They will also only absorb chemicals that come into contact with the filter.

Ozone Purifiers

Ozone purifiers emit ozone into the atmosphere. This can be very dangerous to people with respiratory problems. You do well to steer clear of such air purifiers.

Some air purifiers are portable; others have to be professionally installed on your existing heating and cooling system. Some will trap particles while others are best at absorbing chemicals. Choose one according to your needs and budget.