Though your indoor air may seem clean, chances are you are inhaling millions of microscopic contaminants with every breath you take. The average home contains many varieties of airborne pollutants, including dust, germs, pollen, and mold spores. These various contaminants are responsible for allergy attacks, as well as illnesses like the cold and flu. Fortunately, there are air purifiers available on the market that combat the contaminants that cause poor indoor air quality. Let’s have a look at a few different types of indoor air purifiers.
Air Filters
Air filters are the most simple of the air purifiers, but that doesn’t make them any less effective. An air filter is essentially a fiber mesh that is stretched across a section of ductwork. Air can flow through this mesh without a problem, but any particles that the air carries will become trapped in the filter. There are many different ratings of air filter, from basic dust traps all the way up to HEPA filters that can capture individual viral cells.
Ionization Filters
Ionization filters, also called electronic filters, are devices that create an electromagnetic field around themselves during operation. When airborne contaminants pass through this field, they are given either a positive or negative charge. They will then seek out the nearest surface with the opposite charge, and stick to it. Within the filter are two metal plates, one with a negative charge and one with a positive charge. These will attract the charged particles, and can then be removed and cleaned.
UV Germicidal Lights
Germicidal lights are unique among air purifiers in that they don’t physically capture particles. Instead, they bathe the areas around themselves in ultraviolet light. While harmless to humans, this light destroys the cellular processes that allow viruses and bacteria to reproduce. Once sterilized, these germs will no longer be able to infect you.
If you’d like to know more, call Saddleback Plumbing. We install air purifiers throughout Orange County, CA.