There are a myriad of air purifiers on the market today, all using many different technologies, and combinations of those technologies. The air purifier you choose should address the air quality issue specific to you and your family, and the bells and whistles (such as digital displays, and remotes--one more to keep up with) are simply a matter of personal preference. However, the following 4 features are ones that you'll want to avoid at all cost. High Maintenance Filter-There are some filters on the market that require you to wash, spray, recharge, and change every 1-3 months. Unless you have an enormous amount of time on your hands and you want to spend that time maintaining the filter in your purifier, read the fine print about the replacement filter and what it requires before you make your final decision. Opt for low to no maintenance filters that need replacing only once every 5 years, and that come with a prorated warranty to make sure you get the most for your money. Noise-Fine out how much and what kind of sound to expect to hear when your cleaner is in use. If you are able to find what seems like a great price, but the noise factor is high, eventually you'll find yourself having to choose between clean air and peace and quiet, and most likely peace and quiet will win; but what a choice to have to make, right? Ask about the sound-is it more like a motor sound, or white noise sound. Very few people would want the sound of a motor to sleep by, but some find the sound of rushing air, or white noise very soothing. Be sure you know which your purifier produces and are happy about it before you make your final decision. Inflexible Placement-Ask about the manufacturer's suggested placement for the air purifier to have maximum effect. Believe it or not, there are some that have to be placed (as in can't be anywhere else) in the middle of the room. If you don't mind having it take center stage in your room-great. Since most would rather not use their purifier as an accessory, choosing one that can be placed about 6 inches from any wall gives you the most flexibility in how you can use the space in your home, but allows the cleaner to still be effective. Ozone Production-Ozone is at best a gas that is a well known allergy and asthma trigger; and at its worse is toxic to humans, animals, and plants. As such, the American Lung Association states that there is no safe level of ozone. So if you are considering a purifier that produces any at all, steer clear of it. 2009 marks the beginning of the state of California's ban on air cleaners that produce any level of ozone. Both the International Association of Air Cleaner Manufacturers (IAACM) and the American Lung Association recommend HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) technology as the premiere method of air filtration because it does not produce any ozone.
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