Home air purifiers effective for improving indoor air quality?

[Tracer_Bullet]

I used to have severe morning allergies (a few months every year) and constantly sneezed for 30 minutes or more, which drained me physically and mentally. I don’t remember having the same experience since I got an air purifier. I keep it on all the time, and the doors are frequently open, letting air in, but it still feels helpful. It’s a simple, no-BS air purifier called Sqair, and it has no app or settings apart from speed. I still have a sneezing marathon for a short time when exposed to dust, but things have felt much better since the air purifier has reduced the dust levels around me. I purchased 2 more units for other rooms and I’m happy with it.

I had seen this, did not buy because it does not have prefilter which imo is bs too. Reason given was that people are lazy which seems absurd to me. Atleast option should be there. Prefilter only has to vacuumed or washed once in 2-3 weeks. It can also be removable. My unit is still effective even with decent amount of dust attached to prefilter.

Still one can do DIY. They do give nice data in their blog.

Why Is There No Pre-Filter in Front of the HEPA Filter for the Sqair? – Smart Air Knowledge Base

 

[m0h1t]

I have an air purifier in every room. A large one in the living/drawing room. Unfortunately it’s become a necessity now even in summer months. The pm2.5 rarely goes below 50 except in monsoon or when it’s very windy.

Have tried multiple brands across blueair Honeywell Philips coway dyson. Coway 150 (INR ~12k) would be my recommendation for small-medium rooms and coway 250 (INR ~20k) for medium-large rooms. if you want to measure the aqi/pm2.5 levels i recommend buying an external monitor if you have the budget. Kaiterra costs about 10-12k but you can also build your own esp32 esp8266 monitoring device that can plug into google home/homekit/home assistant with off-the-shelf parts from robu.in. Pms7003 is the sensor to get.

The air literally stinks outside in gurgaon that too in the most premium of properties. What a great equalizer.

 

[logistopath]

@logistopath - please share your opinion as well.

I have no personal experience with air purifiers. Unfortunately, I can't add any useful info in that context.

Humidity is a different issue though. I have very dry skin, and for nearly 8 months in a year, I need to coat myself with moisturizer. I do use a cold water humidifier in my bedroom, but it only slightly improves my condition. I need to get a sensor and monitor humidity levels, as suggested by @Tracer_Bullet.

 

[t3chg33k]

1) Mumbai is very humid. In monsoon i saw 99% RH and generally i see > 70 during night.
2) Humidifier is used to increase humidity. Ideal humidity is 40-60. 60 is comfortable, a user here reported that he had issues below 60. ( he also uses dehumidifier ). What i want is to keep it around 60, esp at nights. High humidity can lead to mold and dust mite issues. Also leads to corrosion in electronics.
3) Only time humidifier would be useful is when humidity is very low ( say less than 40 relative humidity ) which i think only happens in winter during the day. Not sure on this as this is first winter in which i will monitor this via sensor. Also this might be subjective. So far i have not seen < 40. Only > 65 when dehumidifier is not on and it starts increasing at night.
4) ACs bring down humidity when indoor temp is set below outdoor temp. There is dry mode, not sure about that but from what i read, dehumidifier are most effective at bringing down humidity. It also uses much lower power, but it does increase room temp by 1 or 2 degrees. So peak summer, we need acs too.

Get a sensor, then you will know whats exactly happening in your room at different times and different seasons.

Just note that the automatic mode in AP ( from what i read ) is generally not good. Sensors are not accurate and AP is not aggressive enough. Ideal average long term PM2.5 is < 5 ( UN recommendation i think ) and generally, auto modes increase fan speed at much higher values.

I just keep it running at speed 3 ( out of 5) in my AP most of the time, noise is low and its pretty effective. Sometimes if my room has too high PM ( windows opened /someone buring /etc), then i ramp it up to 4/5 for 30 mins or so. Even 3 would be effective but would take more time to clear out room.

My unit has some automation and app control too, i just ignore it.

I don't see much point in getting a dehumidifier if you already have an AC with dehumidifier (dry mode). You will have to sacrifice ventilation with a standalone dehumidifier and also manage the collected water.

In Mumbai, I mostly use the dehumidifier mode at night. It is fine during monsoon but gets a bit too dry in the winter. I have a temperature/humidity sensor at home, so the dehumidifier in some cases brings it below 40% which results in dry mouths and even a run to the washroom at night. Cooling mode retains at least 60% humidity constantly, though of course at much higher power consumption.

The older AC doesn't really have a great filter (not sure if it PM 2.5) but new ones come with PM 0.1 and it generally doesn't require much running of the air purifier when on apart from the initial cycle.

 

[RS4]

For people who are looking for non-smart purifier options you can consider Korean Coway Airmega 150, comes with washable pre-filter which you can remove and wash without opening the machine. No apps or digital sensor in the machine. Ultra long filter life:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08GJ57MKL

 

[Renegade]

Its for a 355sqft room, so people living in tiny 170sqft (spacious according to builders) apartment rooms of Mumbai/Pune would need something half that size.

How is this company Levoit for air purifiers? Its ruling the search engines.

 

[prime]

I am planning to buy a 3rd air purifier. Earlier ones are Xiaomi 2S bought in Nov'2018 and Xiaomi Mi AC-M8-SC bought in Oct'2020 and I am happy with those except no display/app on Mi AC-M8-SC.

So I was checking the options yesterday and came across this video (not sure if it is unbiased or not). I think I will again buy a Xiaomi (4 Lite).

.
If someone is buying an Air purifier from Amazon, don't forget to collect Rs.1000 cashback offer before buying.

https://www.amazon.in/h/rewards/dp/amzn1.rewards.rewardAd.G5F6XYUEXLDA4?rdpf=en

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Its for a 355sqft room, so people living in tiny 170sqft (spacious according to builders) apartment rooms of Mumbai/Pune would need something half that size.

How is this company Levoit for air purifiers? Its ruling the search engines.

Advantage of buying higher rated AP
1) No need to run fan at full speed which can be loud.
2) Room gets cleared out quicker even with the efficient speed.

In the end its just a fan + a filter + a prefilter. Air circulates multiple times through the filter in a closed room and stuff gets filtered out. Other features are more or less just marketing including 'true hepa' and other irrelevant stuff.

AC in fan mode should probably do same too if it has Hepa filter.

I don't see much point in getting a dehumidifier if you already have an AC with dehumidifier (dry mode). You will have to sacrifice ventilation with a standalone dehumidifier and also manage the collected water.

In Mumbai, I mostly use the dehumidifier mode at night. It is fine during monsoon but gets a bit too dry in the winter. I have a temperature/humidity sensor at home, so the dehumidifier in some cases brings it below 40% which results in dry mouths and even a run to the washroom at night. Cooling mode retains at least 60% humidity constantly, though of course at much higher power consumption.

Does dry mode also cool down room ?
With a dehumidifier i can set target humidity and it maintains that, and yeah its much more power efficient ( 300w when in use and turns off once at target). Eventually ill use both but i wanted dehumidifier first.

 

[Renegade]

Looking to buy the following but as mentioned in the video, could not find replacement filters online or even on Philips site. Is it because its a new launch?

Philips AC0950​

 

[nikola]

I would recommend COWAY air Purifiers. Why? Because you can remove the dust filter and wash it every week just like AC filters so more efficient air cleaning. I know it is not smart, But it does it job, one of the few thing that i can recommend in end of 2024 which is not smart but still good. Also those built in AQI sensors are not trust worthy for actual reading need to buy dedicated separate AQI sensor.

 

[imad7x]

Vacuum does not replace air purifier, esp if you have respiratory issues.

Yes, vaccum cleaners are rather bad for your health. I did a lot of research for getting a good air purifier.
What I found was when vaccum cleaners suck the fat lumps of dust that are settled on surfaces, it tends to grind them into finer dust that is airborne and gets into our lungs.

I highly recommend the Philips AC1715 that I'm using. I've tested it myself and can say it has a very accurate sensor.

 

[alekhkhanna]

Been using Mi APs since ages (in Noida). Rather trusty, and an absolute necessity during winter months (pre Diwali to Feb/March) else throat gets itchy, eyes get watery, constant cough etc. With AP on, all symptoms go away.

 

[6pack]

What I found was when vaccum cleaners suck the fat lumps of dust that are settled on surfaces, it tends to grind them into finer dust that is airborne and gets into our lungs.

I think this is misleading. My vacuum cleaner has 3-4 filters in it before it exhausts the sucked in air outside. One filter catches the large dust and heavier particles. The second is a sponge filter which catches the finer particles. The third is an even finer cloth filter which catches particles the sponge filter could not and last, a hepa filter to catch everything else - even the <2.5um particles. Most of the vacuum filters don't grind anything. They are just a fan mounted on a motor so there is nothing to grind.

What you are seeing airborne is the dust that has accumulated on the floor getting thrown up by the exhaust of the vacuum. Even though the vacuum blows clean air from it's exhaust, the floor is still dirty and full of dust. Best option is to directly wipe with damp cotton cloth and not even use the broom, since even using a broom makes the dust go up in the air.

 

[t3chg33k]

Looking to buy the following but as mentioned in the video, could not find replacement filters online or even on Philips site. Is it because its a new launch?

Philips AC0950​

Not air purifiers, but always found it difficult to get replacement for any Philips purchases over here. They simply don't stock them which is why I have moved away from the brand.

In Mumbai, I really haven't had a need for running the air purifier too long, so personally I use Coway AirMega Aim which also acts like a fan anyway.

 

[imad7x]

a hepa filter to catch everything else - even the <2.5um

I never knew vacuum cleaners had hepa filters. If you're using one with a hepa filter then whatever i said about grinding into finer dust and pushing out through exhaust doesn't apply.
Although I'm curious how often do you have to clean the cloth and change the hepa filters?

 

[Mr.J]

There is my another concern, that even if we keep all doors and windows closed, in high rise apartments there is always wind seeping through those crevices. You can stand near the edge of the closed window and feel the outside air come in. Will put a lot more load on the purifier and hope it does not render it ineffective.

Your windows should have a lining or tape to prevent outside air coming in. That will also help with AC's efficiency.

 

[nitin_g3]

Although I'm curious how often do you have to clean the cloth and change the hepa filters?

This depends of how much of finer dust you have in your house. My house is very near to a busy road and I need to clean my vacuum cleaner's HEPA filter once in every 2 weeks on average. It can be more frequent too if I skip brooming and do vacuuming only.

 

[6pack]

I never knew vacuum cleaners had hepa filters. If you're using one with a hepa filter then whatever i said about grinding into finer dust and pushing out through exhaust doesn't apply.
Although I'm curious how often do you have to clean the cloth and change the hepa filters?

I usually wash the sponge and cloth filters. Some Hepa filters (like the one in my vacuum cleaner) cant be cleaned and once it becomes black, i have to replace it completely. It hasn't turned black yet. I think the hepa filter isn't even available on amazon now so if i need to replace it, i'll have to buy a similar filter and glue it to the plastic after ripping out the old filter.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Yes, vaccum cleaners are rather bad for your health. I did a lot of research for getting a good air purifier.
What I found was when vaccum cleaners suck the fat lumps of dust that are settled on surfaces, it tends to grind them into finer dust that is airborne and gets into our lungs.

I highly recommend the Philips AC1715 that I'm using. I've tested it myself and can say it has a very accurate sensor.

na, i dont see that. I meant that they are useful. Along with washing bedsheets and curtains regularly.
I have used 3 VC without much trouble, and i have sensors to verify. Worst case, they could have bumped up PM2.5 a bit which AP will quickly remove.
But nowhere near outside levels.
And the one i am using now has 2 HEPA filters within it so even that potential issue gets solved.

Problem is only when you have to empty/clean the VC. Then i need to wear masks.

 

[anmolbhard004]

Looking to buy the following but as mentioned in the video, could not find replacement filters online or even on Philips site. Is it because its a new launch?

Philips AC0950​

using philips AC2887/20 and its good better than my other coway one

filter is still available on amazon for this model ordered last month

the air in patna is just pathetic all this metro construction is just adding to it we have made it to top 5 polluted cities of india.