So what is the difference between an air cleaner and an air purifier? If you want to improve the indoor air quality of your home, this is a dilemma you need to resolve. Both allow you to breathe easier by making the air healthier. But how are they different and which should you install?
Most companies use the terms “air purifier” and “air cleaner” interchangeably. They serve the same purchase – trapping or removing particles or contaminants from the air – but work a little differently. Different brands and different solve different issues.
Air cleaners filter the air (HEPA air cleaners for instance) while air purifiers sanitize the air by emitting negative ions, ozone, utilizing heat or with UV or UVC lamps. Other technologies are constantly being tested and introduced.
In short: Air Cleaners test for things that make us sneeze. Air Purifiers test for things that make us sick.
Air Cleaner benefits: They remove mold, dirt and microscopic pollutants (especially larger dust, such as dead skin) by using filters. An air filter is a sort of mesh that screens out particles. You can use an air filter in your furnace or HVAC system to prevent hair and dust particles from getting into your furnace.
Air Cleaner Weaknesses: Most air cleaners feature a fan that on high can make a lot of noise pollution. Expensive replacement filters, expensive to purchase.
Air Purifier Benefits: Purifiers also remove contaminants from the air but are less reliant on filters or screens. Instead, their focus is to “zap” (sanitize) the pollutants, not just filter them out. Air purifiers eliminate airborne pathogens that cause allergies and sickness. Many air purifiers offer silent operation. They are often less expensive to operate than air cleaners.
Air Purifier Weaknesses: Depending on the model, they may offer little or no dust removal capabilities. Unless there is really good air circulation in the house, air purifying machines can only purify the air in a portion of one room.
Air cleaners are often measured and rated by a CADR (clean air delivery rate) number or by the number of air exchanges per hour. There are limitations to the CADR system though. It only tests for larger particles (pollen, dust, anything over .3 micron in size) and not for viruses, mold, mildew, bacteria, VOC’s, chemicals, or cigarette smoke.
(To clarify here – particle pollution, or particulate matter – refers to tiny pieces of solids or liquids that are in the air. Particles can include dust, smoke, dirt and even tiny droplets of liquid. Some are big enough to see, others are not.)
See: https://www.cdc.gov/air/particulate_matter.html
Air Purifiers on the other hand have a different purpose. Their job is to purify or sanitize the air of things that not only cause odors but can even make us ill.
A note about Ozone Generators. They are often sold as air purifiers, but they are of dubious benefit and can be harmful. No, ozone isn’t a toxic gas, but it’s a very strong oxidizer and harsh on the lungs in large quantities. It’s true that ozone is naturally generated, but low concentrations of ozone outdoors is not the same as high concentrations of ozone inside your home. Avoid them.
How do UV air purifiers purify the air? They utilize hydrol radicals and super oxide ions or high intensity UV lamps (UVC induct units) to fry the DNA of microorganisms passing by.
The overall best air purification machines use air cleaning and air purifying technologies together to address a myriad of indoor air quality issues.
The technology from ActivePure, for example, uses HEPA and carbon filters to reduce particulate matter by 99.97%. It also reduces VOCs (mold and pathogens too) significantly.
Quality air purifiers can also reduce the virus that causes COVID-19, on surfaces and in the air. (See this video to learn more: https://allhealthyinfo.com/free-video-reveals/)
As described on the ActivePure website, “Units with ActivePure Technology pull free oxygen and water molecules in the air through ActivePure’s patented honeycomb matrix. The technology creates oxidizers, which we call ActivePure Molecules, that are then released back into the room, where they quickly reduce DNA and RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus), Swine Flu (H1N1), Avian Bird Flu (H5N8), Hepatitis A (HAV) and MS2 bacteriophage, on surfaces and in the air.”
Both air cleaners and air purifiers help you stay more comfortable in your home and reduce the likelihood of catch many common illnesses. You can certainly use both if you’d like; install a quality air filter in your HVAC unit and use a portable air purifier for the living room or bedroom in your home.