Air Purifier Buying Guide – Everything You Need To Know

Choosing the right air purifier can be a difficult task. There are many different models on the market, and each one has its own set of features and benefits. Prices range from under £100 to £500 and more. Yet, a high price tag does not necessarily mean better quality or efficiency. So, how do you know which air purifier is right for you?

What is an air purifier, and what are its benefits

An air purifier is a device that cleans the air in your home, office, workspace or commercial premises. It can remove dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, mould spores and other allergens from the air.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, more and more people are buying air purifiers to help protect themselves from the virus. Air purifiers can remove viruses and bacteria from the air and help reduce the risk of infection.

Air purifiers come in different sizes and with different features. Some air purifiers are designed for specific rooms, while others can be used throughout your home or larger spaces. Air purifiers can also help reduce allergies or asthma symptoms and eliminate unpleasant odours.

Air purifiers, the WHO & COVID 19

The World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines on ventilation and the spread of COVID-19 in late 2021. It is recommended that indoor spaces are well ventilated and that air filters/purifiers can be used to improve air quality. Whilst they “do not replace other ventilation methods (…), they can help to reduce the concentration of the COVID-19 virus in the air, thus reducing the possibility of transmission. A MERV14/ISO ePM1 70-80% air filter can improve air quality when used in indoor settings” (WHO.int).

How to choose the right air purifier for your needs

When choosing an air purifier, you should consider the size of the room, the type of filter and filtration technology, ionisation, portability, energy efficiency, noise levels and the price.

Size

The size of the room is an important consideration when choosing an air purifier.

• Floor air purifiers are usually the biggest and most powerful type of purifier. They can cleanse an entire floor of hazardous pollutants and frequently come with a remote control option, allowing you to change the fan speed and direction. The RUHENS WHA 400 UVC is a large-scale, high-capacity unit that covers 140m2 and comes with 8 filters. It’s perfect for large event spaces, offices, and commercial premises.
• Room or portable air purifiers can be used in the home but are designed to be placed in venues such as hotel receptions, indoor pools or changing areas. Although they’re smaller than floor units, they may effectively remove airborne particles. The RUHENS WHA 200 and  RUHENS WHA 500 are small, portable, space-saving air purifiers that measure around 30cm in height and can effectively clean rooms between 35m2 and 45m2.
• Allergy or tower air purifiers: The most popular type of air purifier, allergy air purifiers, are intended for allergy-prone living areas. Often referred to as tower air purifiers, they benefit from a small, space-saving footprint that can filter the air in medium-sized spaces like practice rooms, bars or restaurants and reception areas of up to 70m2. Its dust sensor detecting up to PM 2.5 (ultrafine particles) allows RUHENS WHA 320 UVC to filter airborne viruses and remove allergens.

Pollutants

Knowing the type of pollutant you want to remove from the air will help you decide which air purifier to buy or rent. COVID-19, for example, is a virus spread through minuscule droplets. To try and remove it from the air, you’ll need an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which can remove particles as small as 0.1 microns.

• Dust:  Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments. They’re a common cause of asthma and allergy symptoms and can be found in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and soft toys.
• Pollen:  Trees, grasses and weeds release tiny pollen grains into the air to fertilise other plants of the same species. Pollen is a common trigger for hay fever and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes.
• Tobacco smoke:  Smoke particles can come from cigarettes, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and candles. Smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can worsen asthma symptoms.
• Mould spores:   Mould spores are tiny, lightweight cells that float in the air. Mould growth can cause asthma and allergy symptoms and worsen existing respiratory conditions.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs):  VOCs are emitted from various household products, such as cleaning supplies, paint, varnish and adhesives. VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can also trigger asthma attacks.
• Viruses:  Viruses are tiny, infectious particles that can cause respiratory illnesses such as the flu.
• Fungi:   Fungi are a type of microorganism that can cause infections in humans.
• Bacteria:  Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can cause infections in humans.
• Odours:  Odours are airborne molecules that can cause unpleasant smells.

Did you know that our RUHENS air purifiers can trap and remove 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and allergens?

Type of filter and CADR rating

The type of filter is also an important consideration. Some air purifiers use HEPA filters, while others use activated carbon filters. HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97% of particles from the air and are great for removing dust, pollen, pet hair and other allergens from the air. Activated carbon filters are designed to remove odours from the air and are great for removing smoke, cooking odours and pet odours from the air.

Our RUHENS HEPA purifiers are medically-graded, and CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) certified, with a capacity of 780 m3/hr, so you can trust that our products’ performance levels are second to none. The higher the CADR rating, the greater the air purifier’s effectiveness.

We also utilise up to eight distinct filtration levels, including;

• a pre-filter
• a carbon filter
• an anti-allergy filter
• and a HEPA H13 filter

to remove all suspended particles. You may now breathe fresh and pure air in the workplace or at home with total confidence that you are protected from dangerous pollutants.

Ionisation

Fine particles and nanoparticles that pollute your air are critical to target. Negative ions are captured by the RUHENS HEPA H13 air purifier, which utilises the latest purification technologies, including cluster ion technology.

Pollution particles in the air have a positive charge. Negative ions generated by our air purifiers attract negatively charged micropollutants and bind to them naturally. These are then weighted down and fall to the ground, where they become innocuous.

Negative ions are found in the environment and are considered to have significant health advantages, including as a stress reliever and depression alleviator.

Portability

If you want to be able to move your air purifier from room to room, you’ll need to choose a portable model.

The WHA 200 and WHA 500 are very light and easy to carry, weighing only 4 to 6kg.

The WHA 320 comes with a handy carry handle.

The WHA 400 has wheels attached to the bottom, making it easy to manoeuvre around.

Energy efficiency

Air purifiers use electricity to run the fan and filter, so you’ll want to choose an energy-efficient model to save on your power bill. All RUHENS air purifiers have low energy outputs between 33W and 83W.

Noise levels

Some air purifiers can be quite noisy, so if you want a quiet model, you’ll need to choose one with a low noise level. The best machines available keep their operating noise to a bare minimum, whereas you might find you don’t even want to switch other models on for the noise they make, so this should be a consideration, particularly if you want to use a purifier while you sleep.

All RUHENS air purifiers have been designed to operate at low noise levels between 19 and 49 dB(A), making them quieter than a refrigerator. So, there’s no need to run Ruhens on low settings when you are in the room.

Price

Prices for air purifiers can range from low-cost options under £100 to high-performance versions costing hundreds of pounds, so selecting a model that suits your needs and budget is critical.

At Air Care Solutions, we offer full-price and rental options. For full-price options, speak to one of our experts on 01244 987 443 today.

We also offer rental packages for businesses that help keep monthly costs to a minimum whilst providing peace of mind that employees can enjoy the benefits of fresh air. 

Our rental prices start at just £3.99 per week. By signing up, you’ll benefit from :

• Free Delivery
• Free Expert Installation
• Free filter replacements & sanitation visits
• Free breakdown cover & replacement parts
• Unlimited Callouts
• Option to upgrade at the end of service agreement
• Flexible rental terms and one regular payment

Plus, you can upgrade at any time throughout your rental term. To find out more about our air purifier rental options, click here.

Tips for using and maintaining your air purifier

Use your air purifier in closed rooms; otherwise, the fan will have to work harder and use more energy.

Change the filter every 3 to 6 months or as directed by the manufacturer. A clogged filter will reduce the efficiency of the air purifier.

Clean the outside of the unit with a  soft, damp cloth. Don’t use harsh chemicals or detergents as they could damage the unit.

Keep the air purifier away from standing too close to walls and furniture to allow air to circulate freely.