How to choose an air ionizer - expert advice
An air ionizer is a device that produces ions with a negative charge. The device creates a feeling of fresh air and reduces the negative impact of technology on the human body.
Content
- What is an ionizer for? What problems does the device solve?
- Types of ionizers and their features
- Noise level
- The choice of device depending on the area of the apartment
- Important technical characteristics of ionizers
- Filter selection
- Ionizer Care
- Video on the choice of ionizer vozduzha
We recommend to get acquainted with rated best ionizers for home and best air purifiers for the apartment.
What is an ionizer for? What problems does the device solve?
Before buying a device, you should determine the range of tasks with which it must cope:
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improvement of health,
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air purification from odors,
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removal of allergens and dust.
To solve each of these problems using its own type of ionizer.
Those who want to improve their health will be suited for a residential model designed to accommodate a smaller area. During its operation the smell of ozone will not be felt.
Remove tobacco smoke and other odors by using an instrument that emits large amounts of ozone. Well with the task coped devices equipped with electrostatic filters. Unlike ionizers with replaceable filters that quickly become clogged, devices with electrostatic filters are easy to maintain: they do not require fixed costs and are excellent in washing.
Those who are important to get rid of allergens and dust should pay attention to the devices equipped with HEPA-filter. During the operation of such ionizers, the air is not only well cleaned, but the smell of ozone is almost not felt. Therefore, these devices are suitable for children's rooms.
Types of ionizers and their features
All ionizers can be divided into 2 main groups:
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unipolar,
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bipolar.
Unipolar Ionizers
The main feature of this group is the development of only one type of particles (negatively or positively charged). There are the following types of unipolar devices:
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water (not only ionize the air, but also saturate it with water particles),
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corona particles (ionize the particles entering the device due to the characteristic “impact”),
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plasma (ionize and simultaneously purify the air),
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ultraviolet (eliminates odor and dust with ultraviolet rays),
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thermal (air ionization occurs due to gas heating).
Virtues
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compactness
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eliminating viruses that are mostly positively charged.
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economy,
disadvantages
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only one type of ion is produced,
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emit nitrogen compounds.
Bipolar Ionizers
Bipolar devices simultaneously emit particles with a positive and negative charge.
Virtues
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no release of nitrogen compounds.
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lack of electrostatic field in the room.
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production of a small amount of ozone,
disadvantages
- high price.
Noise level
Depending on the noise level that the device emits, all ionizers can be divided into 2 types:
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equipped with a fan
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based on the principle of ion wind.
Ionizers with fan
Such models are suitable for people who do not tolerate extraneous odors.
Virtues
- almost no ozone odor.
disadvantages
- significant noise level.
Ionizers based on the ion wind principle
Such models will appeal to those who react badly to extraneous sounds.
Virtues
- work almost silently.
disadvantages
- emit a large amount of ozone, the smell of which is felt in the air.
The choice of device depending on the area of the apartment
Before buying a device, it is necessary to calculate the area that it will ionize. For families that consist of 2-3 people, suitable models designed to clean the air in rooms that correspond to the size of the available living space. In this case, the optimum level of anions and ions will be reached.
Large families who live in small houses or apartments should choose models designed for larger premises. In this case, the air cleaning will be better.
It should be noted that the minimum performance of an ionizer for a negative charge must be at least 1 500-3 000/400 particles / cm3and for positive - 3,000-5,000/600 particles / cm3. At the same time, the polarity indices should be in the range of -0.5-0 for negative and -0.2 positive ions.
Important technical characteristics of ionizers
When choosing a device, you need to pay attention to:
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the amount of negative ions produced (the recommended rate is from 600 to 50,000 particles per 1 cm3),
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the area of the room for air cleaning in which the device is designed,
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the allowable distance from the ionizer to the person (at least 1 m),
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the number of ozone molecules produced (the lower this parameter, the better, the maximum value should not exceed 0.1 mg / m3),
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filter type
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case material (high quality plastic or wood),
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fan,
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evaporation rate (the size of this parameter depends on the level of humidity in the room: for apartments with low humidity, a device with an evaporation rate of up to 400 ml / h, with medium humidity (40%) - 250 ml / h, with high humidity - 60 ml / h ).
Extra options
Devices can be equipped with:
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control panel,
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the timer on or off, which allows you to not monitor the operation time of the ionizer,
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indicator of the pollution status of the device, which signals the need for cleaning.
Filter selection
Many ionizers not only saturate the air with negatively charged particles, but also remove dust, allergens, pollen and other impurities from it. To do this, use these types of filters:
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electrostatic,
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HEPA filter,
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reticulate,
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carbonic,
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photocatalytic.
Electrostatic
The filter is a positively charged mesh equipped with a negative charge element. When passing through the lattice, the dust particles receive a positive charge and are attracted to the negatively charged element.
Pros:
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durability,
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ideal solution for smoking rooms.
Minuses:
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produces a lot of ozone,
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Not suitable for residential use.
HEPA filter
The best solution for allergies.
Pros:
- cleans the air from the smallest fractions of dust and other negative impurities.
Minuses:
- need to be changed every six months or a year.
Reticulate
The filter is a fine mesh that protects the ionizer from sand and wool.
Pros:
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inexpensive,
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protects the device from failure.
Minuses:
- can not cope with the full purification of air.
Carbonic
Excellent solution to eliminate odors.
Pros:
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ecologicaly clean,
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suitable for both apartments and public spaces.
Minuses:
- can not cope with the purification of air from light compounds.
Photocatalytic
The filter cleans the air with ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which all impurities are neutralized.
Pros:
- has the highest efficiency among the listed filters.
Minuses:
- high price.
Ionizer Care
The effectiveness of ionizers depends on the purity of the needles and filters. Devices with electrostatic filters should be washed under running water or wiped with a damp cloth every day. Devices with HEPA filters need to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner once a month. In an ionizer with a humidification function, water should be changed at least once a day. At the same time it is also necessary to clean all tanks.
Documentation
The ionizer must have all the necessary documents: technical and hygienic certificates, instructions, warranty card. These papers will be needed in case of detection of inconsistency of the device with the declared characteristics or for repair.
In the following articles we tell how to choose a home air humidifier and secrets air conditioner selection for the house and the apartment.
Video on the choice of ionizer vozduzha
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.