This year has seen a huge increase in wildfires throughout the province. Almost daily air quality warnings have become the norm.
Between the smoke causing burning eyes, scratchy throats and headaches, along with seasonal allergies and the not-so-small messes that come with pets, keeping indoor air clean is becoming a real concern for Canadian homeowners. It’s an especially timely topic now that summer is over and we start to keep our windows and doors closed more often during the colder fall and winter months.
For the 4.6 million Canadians living with asthma (latest stats from Asthma Canada), it’s more than just a concern, it’s about protecting their health. Factor in our winters, which typically come with tightly sealed homes to keep the heat from escaping (trapping air pollutants inside), and it’s easy to see why portable air purifiers are becoming a must-have in people’s homes.
With all the different types of air purifiers that are available out there, it’s tough to determine which one is the best fit for your needs and your home. Here are answers to some of the most common questions.
What size air purifier do I need?
Make sure the air purifier can cover the area you have in mind. According to the Government of Canada, you need to map out a few things first.
“Portable air cleaners are rated for room area measured in square feet. Measure the dimensions of the room where you will use your air cleaner and calculate the square footage,” the Canada.ca webpage suggests, adding device ratings assume you have an eight-foot tall ceiling.
So, if your room is 10 feet long by 12 feet wide, you’ll need a device that can clean 120 square feet.
Another important factor to consider is the clean air delivery rate (CADR), which determines how well the device reduces tobacco smoke, dust and pollen.
“To reduce fine particles, select a device with the highest tobacco smoke CADR that fits within your budget. The higher the tobacco smoke CADR number, the more fine particles the device can remove. This also applies when using a portable air cleaner to filter wildfire smoke, as wildfire smoke contains fine particles,” reads the Government of Canada’s site.
What type of air filtration do I need?
The four most common types of air purifier filters are High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA), activated carbon, electrostatic, and UV. Each of these has its own purpose:
• True HEPA filters can capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger, like dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander.
• Activated carbon filters absorb odors and harmful fumes emitted from paints, cleaning products, cooking processes and tobacco smoke.
• Electrostatic filters use an electric charge to attract and trap airborne particles. Just note, they may not catch microscopic particles as effectively as HEPA filters.
• UV filters kill or deactivate airborne bacteria, viruses and mould spores.
What can air purifiers capture?
The beauty of using air purifiers in the home is it can clean outside and inside contaminants such as dust allergens; wildfire smoke particles; pet dander; asthma triggers; mould spores; and also vapours and odours such as those from cooking, pets, new furniture, paints and cleaning supplies.
Are air purifiers noisy?
For those who like complete silence, you’re going to want to go for a low-speed fan. For those in the city (or living with children) who are used to some background noise, you may want to opt in for something a bit more powerful. Quiet operation may be preferred in bedrooms or workspaces, so make sure to look for decibel (dB) ratings and sleep modes.
Below is a quick noise level reference you can use when you’re shopping around:
• 23 dB (low fan speed): Extremely quiet, suitable for bedrooms or nurseries.
• 40 to 50 dB (medium speed): Comparable to gentle white noise.
• 60+ dB (high speed): Noticeably audible, may disrupt light sleepers.
How often should I change the filters?
The cost of filters depends on the type of air purifier you have, with combo filters at the top of the price point. An activated carbon filter is between $20 to $70 and needs replacing every three to six months. A basic HEPA filter is between $30 and $120 but only needs replacing every six to 12 months. Similarly, a combo filter is between $50 to $150 and also only needs replacing every six to 12 months.
How often you run your air purifier, and for how long each time, along with how much particulate is being swept out of the air will determine the filter’s longevity. If you run the purifier in your bedroom at night with the door closed, it will last a lot longer if you remember to turn it off in the morning once you open the bedroom door, so the unit isn’t trying to clean the air all day for the entire house.
Where can I purchase an air purifier?
Once you’ve determined the size of air purifier that you need for the space you intend to run it in, you can start shopping.
First, do some research on what brands are most recommended and why. Read reviews. Then it just comes down to price points. The more features an air purifier has, the more it will cost. Do you want one with a built-in LED nightlight, or do you just need a basic model? Can you afford the filters that are recommended for the specific model? How often do you want to change the filters?
Air purifiers are available at pretty much every large store, from Costco to Shopper’s Drug Mart to Canadian Tire. You can check online for availability before heading over. Many stores now deliver right to your door with the same convenience as Amazon, which also has a big selection to choose from. Prices can vary from anywhere to under $100 to well over $300.
Why air purifiers are recommended for Canadian homes
As our awareness of airborne health risks increases, investing in a reliable air purifier may be a smart step toward a healthier indoor environment.
Whether you’re mitigating the health risks of wildfire smoke, managing asthma, cutting down on allergens, or simply aiming for cleaner indoor air, the right purifier can make a measurable difference in how you and your family feel, sleep, and live all year round.
If you’re still confused about which one is best, ask your REALTOR®. They probably have a personal recommendation and are always happy to answer all your home-related questions.
— REALTOR.ca