| ||
| ||
|
Home Improvement Information | |
|
|
Understanding Air Purifiers
Purchasing an air purifier can be confusing, and you do get an awful lot of information thrown at you when you visit the different manufacturing websites, don't you? How can you tell what's what, and why do we need air filters anyway? And how do air purifiers work? Is the air really that bad? Haven't we been breathing the same air for thousands of years? Yes and no. First of all, we've been breathing the same air for thousands of years, but we live in a symbiotic relationship with the plants around us - that is, we rely on each other to survive. We breathe oxygen to live, and give off carbon dioxide. Plants exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, effectively "exchanging" the air in a healthy relationship with us. This makes plants the first primitive air purifiers on earth, and explains why scientists are so concerned about the ecological balance on earth and the need for the survival of rain forests and plants - they ensure our own survival as well by preserving oxygen in our atmosphere. Nature cleans the air in other ways as well - ozone (positively charged oxygen molecules) is generated by waterfalls and thunderstorms. Ozone also cleans impurities and particulates from the air naturally. The Industrial Revolution and Air Quality The industrial revolution made great strides in everything but air quality. In fact, pollution such as emissions from automobiles, smog and pollution from everyday chemicals like cleaning fluids, carpeting and paints enter the air every day. In industrial settings, air purifiers clean the air before it is released into the atmosphere in order to meet government requirements. Today's homes are also more energy efficient and cost effective, but to get there they have become much more "closed in." When they are this sealed up, indoor pollutants are shut in so that today's homes are actually two to five times more polluted than outdoor levels! Obviously, air purifiers are essential to improving indoor air quality to combat the effects of this stale, recirculated air. Beginning in the 1980's, medical practitioners began to take note of the direct link between poor air indoor air quality and the increased incidence of conditions such as asthma, allergies and recurring colds and upper respiratory infections. The development of a variety of improved, scaled-down air filtration systems for in-home use soon emerged. How the Main Types of Air Purifiers Work One of the most commonly used type of air purifier is also one of the first developed, and is used in most hospitals and clean rooms. This is the HEPA filter. HEPA Filters During the Manhattan Project in the 1940's, the Arthur D. Little firm developed the first HEPA filters in order to filter out very small particles that had become contaminated by nuclear radiation in atomic bomb testing areas. It was during this initial development that the HEPA standards were set at 0.3 microns, which could effectively capture condensed radioactive iodine. The filters at that time were called "absolute filters," and not called HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) until the filters were marketed in the 1950's. Today these filters are used by hospitals, surgical wards, biopharmaceutical research labs, micro circuitry labs, and the aerospace industry for their exceptional ability to control dust and particulates. HEPAs remove 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns or larger. For even more intense filtration, there is an ULPA, or Ultra-HEPA filter, which filters out 99.99% of contaminants pass through the filter. Obviously, something has to draw the air through the filter, and with HEPA filters this is a motorized fan. This can make them noisy, which makes them an annoyance to some people. A HEPA filter will need to be replaced every 12-18 months, depending upon how it is used and the interior environment of your home. For instance, if you have pets, especially cats or dogs that shed a lot, you may need to change it more frequently because of the dander. If there are smokers in the house you will also need to change your air filter more frequently to ensure proper filtration. However, for overall performance, nothing filters out or eliminates more particulates than a HEPA filter, so it is a matter of balancing cost, sound preference and convenience against your relative needs when choosing the right model of air cleaner for your home. Ozone Air Purifiers Ozone is created in nature by everything from waterfalls to thunderstorms, and is responsible for that fresh, clear smell after a heavy rain or storm has passed. It's nature's way of cleaning the air. Ozone air purifiers essentially do the same thing indoors by artificially mimicking the natural process that creates ozone. Ozone molecules exist in the air all around us, and will react with any particles they come into contact with, but are very unstable and tend to exist in small quantities for short periods of time. Ozone air purifiers work by using electricity to generate more ozone molecules, which have one more oxygen (O3) than we normally have in the air (O2) around us. Since ozone is highly unstable, one of the oxygen atoms is always inclined to break away and find another molecule to bond to. This process causes a chemical reaction which destroys odors and germs in the air and then converts what is left of the molecules into harmless oxygen and CO2. There is some confusion between ozone air cleaners and ionic air cleaners, but there are some differences. With an ozone air purifier, the ozone that is released into the air will be unstable and cause a reaction that will alter and destroy certain germs, viruses, bacteria and molds. It does not, however, have a collection plate where dirt or grime collects. Ionic Air Cleaners An ionic air cleaner also uses electrical charges to alter oxygen atoms in the air, like an ozone air cleaner. But unlike an ozone cleaner, an ionic air cleaner will rid the air your breathe of dust and pollen as well. Ionic air cleaners negatively charge the air particles in a room, which will cause a magnetic attraction to occur. The positively charged particles in the air, such as dust, pollen and pet dander, will naturally be attracted to these and they will "cling" to each other, creating a sort of magnetic bond. Particles that form into bonds like this become too heavy to remain suspended in the air and fall to the ground, where you will no longer be able to breathe them into your system. Vacuuming and regular dusting can get rid of these particles. In today's ionic cleaners, there are also fans that move the room air over negatively charged metal collection plates that the positively charged particulates will stick to. These can be regularly cleaned by simply wiping them with a soft cloth. Electrostatic Precipitators The original electrostatic precipitators were huge monsters used to control
pollution emissions from industrial plants. The waste by-products of a plant
were sent through large chambers that were charged by electrodes that acted as
enormous collection plates to attract the oppositely charged waste products
(such as dust, lead, sulfur, fly ash and other hazardous chemicals) from the
materials passing through, filtering out all harmful materials. Periodically,
the precipitators would be "tapped" so that these materials could be dumped from
the chambers into disposal units. Electrostatic Filters With electrostatic filters, a small static charge is created that attracts airborne particles as they go through a filter, capturing even those particulates which are too small too be captured by the relatively loose weave of the filter itself. Because of the looser weave, the air flow in an electrostatic filter is very good, but the filtration is very effective because of the electrostatic charge. These filters do have to be carefully maintained and cleaned at least monthly, and should be replaced every year for peak effectiveness. As the filters do become dirtier, the air flow will become less efficient. Finally, there are systems that combine two or more types of air purification system. While these are usually more expensive, they can be worth the price if you are looking for the best possible combination of features. For instance, an air purifier that will kill viruses and bacteria like an ozone air purifier, but will also effectively filter out dust and dander with a HEPA filter. About the Author
MORE RESOURCES:
Home-Improvement - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great! A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless of how well the rest of the bathroom is decorated, it just won't look right without the right bathroom vanity cabinet. Employ Passive Solar Energy and Start Saving Electricity Today 1. Orientation, layout and positioning of your house on the land Orientate your living areas to the south side of the house, which receives most of the sun throughout the day (north if you live in the southern hemisphere). Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project, here are some ideas to help you.Inspiration to make a home planning journal from "Joy to the Home Planner:""Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context -- a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan. Are Your Ducts Making You Sick? If you have a heating or cooling systems that uses air ducts, you could have a problem.There are many duct systems that are poorly designed and installed that have the ability to bring pollutants into your home. Remedies for a Wet Basement A wet basement can be just a nuisance or even real nightmare. Each year, thousands of homeowners are faced with the unpleasant side effects of seasonal rainfall. Seven Essential Color Concepts for Designing Spaces Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design your living and work spaces more purposefully. Embrace the colors that work best for your specific activity and emotional support. Easy Ways to Increase Your Houses Value Before getting your house valuated think about the list below and if you should implement them to increase your house's value.Clean up your house: Clean your house thoroughly. Planning Permission Tips UK - Free Design Advice In The UK - How And Where To Get It Isn't it funny how people shelve projects for the new year - perhaps the new year feels like a fresh canvas or something - I don't know. Many potential clients I saw in Q4 of last year our now coming through as confirmed commissions - it's a funny old world with no rhyme or reason. Are Showers Harmful to Your Health? The last thing you would think about when you are taking a nice, refreshing shower is, "Am I jeopardizing my health"?Chlorine is used by many municipalities to disinfect their water supply.Unfortunalely, according to many health experts, chlorine has been linked to breast, bladder and colon cancer. Tiles are the Foundation Stone for Your Stylish Bathroom! Tiles can increase the value of any home. Ceramic tiles, mosaic tile, floor tile all add an extra quality to your home. Advice on Waterproofing Your Deck Even if you undertook the task of building your own deck, you understand the large investment (both monetary and in time) that went into the project. Decks add beauty and value to a home, and are often the family's favorite place on lovely afternoons. A Fabric Hammock is Comfortable Casual Chic If you are looking for unique seating inside or out, why not consider a hammock? What comes to mind when you picture a hammock? Do you see yourself on the islands? Are you swaying in the breeze while watching the kids play in the pool? Are you watching the stars at night on your hammock for two? You can be on vacation year round when you add a hammock to a room or patio. You instantly create a casual chic or sophisticated hand designed elegance. Choosing the Right House Plan Now that you have made that bold decision to build a home of your dream, it absolutely important to get the best home you can imagine. For you and all of us, building the home of our desire is one time affair in our life time. Building A Pair Of Heavy Duty Saw Horses Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according to the cutting list and set it aside. Take the legs and mark out the tapers. Home Office: Identifying Your Needs Not many years ago, the thought of working from home was considered a fantastic vision of the distant future. However, with more and more people setting up home offices every day, it is clear that future has arrived earlier that many expected. Measure Your Window for Verticals and Horizontal blinds, Wood blinds, Faux Wood Plantation Shutters Here are five important things to remember.1. How to Paint Your Own Artwork - And Save Money Everyone wants to save money. Don't you? Well, painting your own, color matched art can be a lot easier than you might think!Usually the picture that you want for your room will have an outrageous price. Choosing a Furnace Humidifier While everyone longs for a white winter, the problems associated with dry winter air can be unpleasant. Low humidity can dry out our skin, our mucous membranes, and our nasal passages. How to Layout Recessed Lighting One of the most important principles to understand when designing a recessed lighting layout is beam angle. In recessed cans, the light is produced in the shape of a cone. Mommy, Mommy, Theres a Caterpillar on my Bed Chenille has been used for bedspreads since Catherine Evans revived the craft in the 1890's. She applied raised tufts of yarn to cotton sheeting and these spreads were often referred to as chenille products.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
