How To Pick The Best Office Air Purifier

There are a lot of things floating around in the air you breathe at the office. Most of them you cannot see by the naked eye. Some of the airborne particles can cause asthma attacks, allergic reactions, sore throats, itchy eyes, and so much more. One way to make the office comfortable, and safe, for all who use it, is to have a small office air purifier in operation.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the best office air purifier options, how they work, and what to look for when shopping for one to have at your home office or work.

Features To Look For in the Best Office Air Purifier

Air purifiers are a crucial tool for removing airborne contaminants. Not only are they necessary for those who suffer allergies, but they’re also helpful for anyone who wants to create a cleaner environment. For these reasons, you want to ensure that you get the best office air purifier you can afford.

When deciding on what air purifier to buy, there are several factors to keep in mind. Here are five of the most crucial features to keep in mind when making your decision…

The Type of Air Filtration Used

One of the most important considerations in choosing a small office air purifier is the technology used to filter the air. Different types of air purifier filters can target different types of indoor air pollution and it is vitally important that the air purification technology matches the needs of the office.

We will discuss more on the different filter types used in air purifiers later.

The Design And Ease of Use

Any electronic device has to be not only effective in the job it is meant to do, but it has to be designed to handle the job required in an office setting. This may include:

• the size of the unit,
• how big the room is that requires air purification,
• how easy the product is to set up and operate,
• how many features the air purifier has,
• whether there is remote control access either with a handheld remote or via a smartphone, and
• if there an indicator that shows when the filter requires replacement.

All of these factors can be essential in determining the right air purifier for the job.

How Much Noise It Makes

Although it may be placed in a busy office, no one wants to work near a piece of equipment that has an annoying noise level. Plus, if it runs at a loud noise level, chances are that the air purifier will spend more time turned off than in operation doing what it was intended to do.

Air purifiers have a dB rating which is a measurement of sound. The quietest ones will operate at a dB level of between 20 and 40. Loud air purifiers will have ratings of 50 to 70 dB.

For example, a conversation in whispered voices will measure about 30 dB and a normal conversation will be at the 50 dB level.

How Much Energy It Uses

The amount of energy an office air purifier uses will have an impact on the monthly utility bill at that office.

The more energy-efficient models will use under 100 watts when set on high. Watch for such certifications as the Energy Star on the units you are considering. That is a mark of a product that makes good use of energy and functions properly without the need for a lot of power.

Maintenance Costs

Provided that the air purifiers for office space you are using are operating properly, the maintenance required annually will be minimal. The most you may have to do is keep up on filter replacement.

Depending on the amount of use of the desk air purifier for office use, the filter may require replacement once every few months or once a year. Plus, depending on the model of air purifier you have, there may be more than one filter that will require regular replacement.

Reasons Why You Need An Office Air Purifier

There are many reasons why you should have a small office air purifier. Here is a list of the most common:

• If you work from home on a regular basis, this can help you to get rid of unhealthy pollen and other microscopic particles that may be in the air.
• Some essential oils can also build up and make the air in your home stale. An air purifier can help remove them.
• Odor-sensitive employees in the office can find releif if you use an air purifier
• If you have pets in the office or workers there have pets, they may shed hair that can get into the air and cause allergy symptoms in your co-workers.
• Speaking of alergies, if workers have allergies, asthma, or respiratory concerns, the air purifier will make them less likely to develop symptoms from pollen, pet dander, and other airborne allergens.
• If you have a dusty office or building, or if the office contains a mix of smokers and non-smokers, the air purifier can help with that too.
• Even in an office where there is more than adequate ventilation, it is still better to have an air purifier. They take all of the particles from the air and filter them out.
• Colds and flu can impact the office staff health, so another benefit is that they reduce the amount of bacteria in the air.

Maintenance Needed For An Office Air Purifier

Surprisingly, office air purifiers are mostly maintenance-free. The most you will have to do is ensure that the filters used in the model at your office are changed regularly. With clean filters, you will avoid damaging your air purifier and it will keep operating at peak effectiveness.

It is recommended that you check your filters at least once a month to ensure they are clean. Dirty filters do not allow for air to be filtered well.

When many people think of office air purifiers, they tend to associate them with frequent maintenance. It is true that you should check and change the filters fairly regularly, but there is no other regular maintenance work required. Some models even have filters that are washable and reusable. It is best to check the user manual that comes with your unit when considering how to maintain your air purifier.

If you have an air purifier at home and have pets or a smoker in your household, you may need to change the filters out more often to ensure the air quality is high.

The Different Types of Filters Used In Air Purifiers

There are five different technologies used in modern office air purifiers. It is important to choose the best office air purifier product for the specific situation.

Typically, more than one method is commonly used in air purifiers available on the market.

The different purification techniques include:

• Carbon Filter – This is a uniquely designed filter that removes smoke, fumes, and chemicals from the air.
• HEPA – This is a filter that has been specially designed to be effective in trapping many different types of airborne particles. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter. A HEPA air filter captures dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, mold spores, pet dander, dust mite debris and other tiny airborne particles. HEPA filtration can be found in many consumer air cleaners as well as industrial grade air filtration units. HEPA filtration is also commonly used in hospitals and healthcare facilities for its effectiveness at removing airborne pathogens.
• Ionic – This method employs the use of electricity that charges particles which causes them to be attracted to collector plates or fall to the floor.
• Ozone Generator – This is a system that creates ozone that seeks out contaminants and removes them.
• UV Lamp – This method uses a UV lamp that all particles pass by and living microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are eliminated.

Air Pollutants That Are Filtered By Office Air Purifiers

There are several different air pollutants that an office air purifier can eliminate. They include:

• Dust/Pet Dander – Airborne particles such as dust, pollen, or pet dander can trigger an asthma attack or allergic reaction.
• Mold – Mold and mildew can form in moist conditions and an office air purifier can capture and remove spores from the air.
• Odors – Chemical use in an office setting can send odors into the air. An air purifier can neutralize them.
• Pathogens – Bacteria, fungus, and viruses all live in the air we breathe. An air purifier can filter these out.
• Smoke – Whether caused by tobacco, the environment, or house fires, smoke is easily filtered out by an air purifier.
• VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds come from chemical sprays. Air purifiers pull them out of the air.

Tips For Choosing An Office Air Purifier

Probably the most useful tip on choosing an office air purifier rests with the size of the room that requires the air purifier. That is because the room size makes a huge difference and will be the one factor that determines the size of the air purifier.

To figure this out, you first need to know the size of the room. Let’s say the office you are going to put the air purifier in measures 2,500 square feet. Next, you need to pay attention to a rating system used on air purifiers. They are classed by something identified as the clean air delivery rate (also known as CADR). The larger the CADR number, the more particulate matter it can remove from the air. That means a higher CADR number indicates that the bigger a room the air purifier can be used in.

Also, it is important to know what kind of things are in the air at the office you are trying to remove. If the office just has dust, pollen, and smoke in it, you will need a different filtration system than if all you are trying to remove from the air is odors.

Avoid air purifiers that produce ozone as has been identified as a lung irritant and if there are staff members in the office who suffer from lung disease or irritation, an ozone-producing air purifier is going to make them uncomfortable or sick.

And, finally, ensure that the product you choose has the UL seal on it. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratory and the seal indicates that the unit has been tested and approved by this organization which makes it safe to use.

Conclusion

Air pollution has become a growing problem in many cities and it is imperative that we find a solution. The air we breathe at work or in our home office often hides things that can make us feel uncomfortable or can make us sick. The best way to protect everyone in the office is with an air purifier.

There are several different products that can help with cleaning the air, and it is important to consider the specific pollutant you need to eliminate before making your purchase.

We have examined some of the best ways to clean the air in your home or office by examining several different products and methods. We hope that you have found our discussion useful and will help you to choose the best office air purifier product for your specific situation.