How Do Air Purifiers Work and how many types are?

Air purifiers contain one or more filters and a fan. The fan (or sometimes a system of internal fans) sucks in air, and that air then passes through the inside filters. These filters trap pollutants such as dust, pollen, and bacteria, and disperse clean air back into the room. This filtering process maintains healthy air circulation indoors.

Types of Air Purifiers

While most air purifiers contain HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, some air purifiers include other types of filters such as activated carbon or UV light. Certain technologically advanced air purifiers include a combination of two or three types of filters. In this section, we discuss the different types of air purifiers and how they work:

  • HEPA Filters: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can capture pollutants as little as 0.3 microns in size. These tiny particles cannot even be seen by human eyes. The smallest particles visible to us are at least 50 or 60 microns in size.
  • Activated Carbon: Air purifiers with activated carbon filters effectively trap odors. They can’t capture viruses and bacteria like HEPA filters can.
  • Electrostatic Precipitators: Air purifiers with electrostatic precipitators use high voltage electrical energy, charging the particles passing through the filters. The dead pathogens keep accumulating on the electrostatic plates. To maintain the efficiency of the filter, these electrostatic plates need to be changed regularly increasing your maintenance cost. Electrostatic precipitators also release ozone, a reactive gas potentially damaging your lungs.
  • Ultraviolet Light Air Purifiers: These air purifiers use UV rays to kill the germs floating in the air. Some UV light air cleaners release ozone, so check before buying this type of purifier.
  • Ozone Generators: Air purifiers with ozone generators absorb odors. They are commonly used in hotels because the high levels of ozone released by these air purifiers make the room unsuitable for use, the next 24 hours. Exposure to even low levels of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure damages your lungs and aggravates respiratory problems.
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