Sales of these products are forecast to see a compounded annual growth rate of around 10 percent in 2015-2020, according to a 2015 report published by TechSci Research.But health experts say the machines are mostly unnecessary unless a person has a lung condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They advise homeowners to take other steps to clear the air before investing in one of these devices, especially since ongoing maintenance and expense are required to ensure that the units work properly.Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of the division of preventive occupational and aerospace medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a pulmonologist, said buyers need to understand the limitations of air purifiers.“I think it’s a waste of money for people who feel that sticking (one) in their home is suddenly going to rid them of all respiratory diseases. That they’ll never be ill, and that’s all they need, and they’re completely protected. That is not the case,” he said.

Patti Solano, director of lung health for the Lung Association in Greater Chicago, said air purifiers won’t clean the entire home, either. Portable air purifiers, the most common, at best can improve a room.She said the best air purifiers use true high-efficiency particulate air (true HEPA) filters, which are proven to trap 99.97 percent of particles of 0.3 microns in size.“We’re looking at these more for patients who have asthma, COPD, anyone that might have any kind of lung disease. These do help,” she said.True HEPA filters, as opposed to “HEPA-type” filters, can trap most pollens, dust and pet dander, she said. Additionally, some air purifiers have carbon filters to remove tobacco and cooking smoke.Ed Perratore, senior editor for home and appliance at Consumer Reports, said that in its tests, the best-performing air purifiers were the Honeywell HPA300 ($300, 435-square-foot room) and the Whirlpool Whispure APK1030K ($349.99, 500-square-foot room).Solano said that, because there are so many different models on the market, buyers need to do their homework.

She said the Environmental Protection Agency’s website has a thorough review of what shoppers should consider on its Indoor Air Quality page.Perratore, Cowl and Solano said homeowners should stick to filter-type air purifiers and avoid those that use ozone to clean the air.“So it paradoxically does harm as opposed to actually helping,” Cowl said.Aside from fan speeds, Perratore said that, in its testing, Consumer Reports found there’s little need to pay more for any special features on portable air purifiers.winix wac5500 true hepa air cleaner with plasmawave technology reviewsFan speeds are important because portable air purifiers are noisy, and they’re usually used in bedrooms. reme air purifier reviewHowever, Perratore said that, when the devices are used on low speeds, they sometimes aren’t as efficient. the minusa2 ultra quiet air purifier

The two top Consumer Reports picks work well on high and low speeds.Solano, Cowl and Perratore said the units work best when they’re in rooms where the door is shut and are cleaned as well as possible to remove lung irritants. The filters must be changed regularly.The maintenance and cost of these devices may make them a last resort for people without lung diseases, Perratore said. Then there’s the energy cost to run the units, he added.And Cowl said people who suffer from seasonal allergies may not get that much relief from having the air purifiers around.“I don’t think any air filtration system will completely prevent that,” he said.Better furnace filters can trap pollutants, Cowl said, but those must be changed regularly too. True HEPA filters are rated between 17 and 20.However, Cowl said, many furnaces aren’t designed to use true HEPA filters, so they may cause the furnace to work harder.Pillow and mattress encasements can limit dust mites in the bed, Solano said. And keeping a clean home is half the battle.

Sleep Soundly With Brookstone’s Pure-Ion Bedroom Air Cleaner January 14th, 2015 | Whatever your resolutions may have been, sleeping soundly isSerta’s Got Your Back (Literally)! December 3rd, 2013 | Holiday visitors always bring with them a variety of issues- whether it’s travel problems, additional stress, shopping hassles, or extraCreating a safe indoor environment requires investing money in appliances that can increase the quality of your indoor air. Living in an area with a high level of pollution or humidity can negatively impact your overall life, because it can cause many inconveniences that usually result into health problems. Air pollutants can cause allergies, asthma and other pulmonary disorders, while humidity can lead to the formation of mold and mildew, which is also bad news for your health. Besides affecting your well being, humidity can cause damages to your furniture and walls, therefore, proper measures must be taken immediately. We present you the best tips for improving home atmosphere.

Use an air purifier – the Whirlpool Whispure AP51030K Although many people don’t realize this, air pollutants can affect one’s overall life in a negative way. They can lead to respiratory problems, and they can cause lots of discomfort. While plants represent a great way to purify your indoor air, they might not be very effective when you have to deal with a high level of pollution. Therefore, we suggest you to opt for a reliable air purifier that can eliminate air contaminants and provide clean air for you and your entire family. To compare different air purifiers, we suggest that you do some research online where you will find a lot of helpful information about different types of air purifiers. We recommend you the Whirlpool Whispure AP51030K, a unit that is highly appreciated for its performance, but also for its quiet operation. This product is rated for large rooms, as it features an airflow of 315 cubic feet per minute, which is impressive comparing with other air filters.

The Whirlpool Whispure incorporates a True HEPA filter and a carbon pre-filter for capturing allergens and for eliminating bad odors. Moreover, it is one of the safest devices on the market, because it doesn’t use an UV light, nor a ionizer, which means that it doesn’t produce any ozone. Opt for a dehumidifier – the Sunpentown SD-40E 40-Pint If the source of your air contaminants is dampness, you have to remove the source instead of trying to remove the air pollutants that it generates. Therefore, we advise you to opt for a dehumidifier that can help you extract moisture from the air and prevent mold spores and bacteria from appearing. When moisture gathers around windows, mildew is formed, especially in the kitchen, the place where considerable amounts of steam are released into the air. So, we suggest you to consider the Sunpentown SD-40E 40-Pint, a dehumidifier that comes with a large water reservoir, which allows you to drain it the sink. However, if you live in a very humid area, you can use a hose for continuous drainage.