Clean Air Outside Arizona!

If you can't move to Arizona or Nevada or one of those renowned clean dry air areas, then think about a residential air cleaner!

There are two basic choices with air cleaners, a portable one or a central one. However, that does not mean it is easy to choose an air cleaner, in fact it is a fairly in-depth subject, which should be studied before actually buying an air cleaner.

A central until is usually installed as part of the heating and air conditioning and ventilation system. It is designed to deliver treated air through the home by ducts. Although none of these residential units can claim to be 100% effective, they are considered to be effective for removing most small and medium particles. In-duct mechanical air filters are used to catch airborne particles on a mesh screen. It may be less effective for pollen though, just because the heavy pollen may not remain airborne long enough to reach the filters. (Usually there is only one filter per room)

Electronic cleaners can also be used in conjunction with the home's heating, air conditioning and ventilating system. The two types of electronic cleaners both work by electrically charging air particles prior to collecting them onto fibrous plates. There has been some controversy over the ion or ozone type of electronic air cleaner, due to potential emissions, and consumers have bee advised to use caution when considering this type.

Portable units are designed for single room application and often for specific pollutants as well. In this one respect they may be more useful, for instance, in a bedroom, where the occupant can't sleep due to allergens. These units are available in a variety of different designs, each designed to clean the air of pollutants or gaseous substances. These pollutants include such particulate matter as pollen, smoke and dust, and such gaseous substances as odors and fumes.

Larger units obviously would be more efficient, but the manufacturer quotes relevant factors to take into account, such as room size, unit capacity, air content and unit efficiency.

There is one area in which these units do not really help and that is in toxic smells. The scientific field has not yet found an effective way to recognize, catch and destroy these toxic gasses.

Another factor to remember is that when you are buying an air cleaner, you should always get a maintenance or service contract. You can run the air cleaner even when it is ineffective, but frequency of maintenance will mean that you will be breathing clean air.