Having air purifiers at home, work spaces and cars are no more a luxury, but has rather become a matter of importance. Air pollution has reached hazardous levels and if not dealt with urgently, the implications it would have on human health and well-being is unimaginable. Respiratory tract infections and diseases like Asthma and Bronchitis will become much more commonplace than ever before. As a corollary, people are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to choosing the best air purifying technology around — in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from dilapidating air quality. We reached out to Samsung Electronics who is a major player in the industry for more inputs and expert opinions on this topic. Saurav Katyal, Director, Samsung India Consumer Electronics Business, gave us a few tips on how to choose the right appliance. Here’s what he had to tell us.
Selecting the perfect air purifier that will address your specific needs can be a huge challenge. It is imperative to research and understand the product nuances, the pros and cons before you actually get down for a purchase. Two biggest parameters that one should keep in mind are: “does your air purifier meet all the necessary parameters” and “how easy, difficult or expensive the maintenance of the air purifier will be.”
The purifier:
More than outdoors, the indoor allergens and irritants pose greater danger today because we spend more time indoors. As modern homes are airtight and compact, these irritants can’t easily escape and demand an advanced purification system.
Air purifiers must provide faster purification through advanced PM2.5 filters. PM2.5 filter is a mechanical air filter that works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles in the air, even the finer ones. Such purifiers also come with a higher Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) which covers a large area through a unique 3-way air flow. The Digital Invertor Motor ensures durability and long-term energy efficiency to consumers. The 4-step air filtration process provides double protection and results in absolutely fresh and pollution-free air indoors.
Coverage Area: The size of your room is an important factor when you are choosing an Air Purifer. Larger areas and bigger rooms require larger and more effective air purifiers. A room that is 20-40% larger than the air purifier is a good choice if you want optimum performance. People prefer to keep compact and silent air purifiers in the bedroom so that their sleep is undisturbed. Larger air purifiers are considered fitter for the living area.
Clean Air Delivery Rate: CADR lets you identify how quickly the air purifier purifies the air. It calculates how many cubic feet of air the purifier can filter in one minute. Higher the CADR number, better and faster the air filtration. Air purifiers consist of three CADR numbers for dust, pollen and smoke. If you have a larger operating space, consider going for an air purifier that has a higher CADR rating.
Air Quality Indicator: The indicator display is an essential feature in any air purifier. The digital indicator and various coloured lights show the pollution drop levels in real time. The purifier should also be equipped with sensors that give an exact numeric measurement of the PM2.5 (ultra-fine dust) and PM10 (fine dust) levels.
Filter life and availability: In depth research needs to be done about the type of filter to be used in an air purifier before getting one. The filter must be equipped to filter things like pollen, dust, smoke, odour and other harmful pollutants. There are four types of filters available — HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air), charged media, antibacterial and germicidal, and electrostatic precipitator. The filters of the air purifier you intend to buy must be available in the market at the time of filter replacement, from time to time.
The maintenance:
There are specific air purifiers which come with the capability of drawing air inside from the front. The front inlet allows for easier maintenance and cleaning. These systems cover a wider area, removes ultrafine dust, and also can do away with harmful viruses and gases. Moreover, the filter’s life span can now be easily checked with a Filter Life Indicator, thereby helping you to plan your next filter purchase. The Front Air Inflow easily draws in air from the front and the power fan spreads clean air out in three directions – top, left and sides, enabling it to reach a much wider area of up to 60 sq. meters (646 sq. ft.). It purifiers air faster, thereby achieving a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 455 cu. meters per hour.
Purchasing an efficient air purifier is a great investment, considering the rising incidences of pollution related health problems. Knowing how these units work is the key to getting the best return on your investment. With proper care and upkeep, your air cleaning system will last you a lifetime.
Maintaining your air purifier and taking proper care of it will not only keep your unit working at top efficiency, but will also save money. With a regular schedule and proper upkeep, you will enjoy a lifetime of clean, healthy air from your air cleaner.
If your purifier matches the above parameters, rest assured you are making a smart choice.
