The Downfall of the “Silent” Bedroom Air Purifiers

We spend more time in our bedrooms than any other room in our homes, so it’s not surprising that air purifiers are most often purchased for bedroom use. Cleaner air in the bedroom has been directly linked to a reduction in allergy symptoms and better quality sleep. There are currently dozens of different air purifiers recommended for bedroom use, here are the top tips for choose one that’s right for you.

The Downfall of the “Silent” Air Purifiers

When choosing among air purifiers for the bedroom, some people automatically assume that silent is better. However, air purifiers marketed as silent usually have no moving parts. While this may seem more attractive for bedroom use, most air quality experts agree that with no fans to move the air around, these units cannot collect airborne particles from more than a few feet away. As a result they cannot compete with fan-based air purifiers in terms of the improvement in overall air quality. Another issue with “silent” air purifiers is that they often use ionizing or ozone technologies that produce a gas which is considered potentially harmful to human health. Many of these types of “air cleaners” are not recommended by health organizations and are actually banned in the state of California.

Fan-Based Air Purifiers and the Benefits of White Noise

All fan-based air purifiers will generate some sound. It’s generally a low hum, comparable to a regular blade cooling fan. The mistake many people make when turning on air purifiers in the bedroom is to crank the unit on high speed. Most air purifiers on high will sound loud and obtrusive and not suitable for bedrooms. Better quality air purifiers, especially those with activated carbon filters for chemicals, gases and odors actually work better on low speed. The high speed should only be used to move the air around quickly for a brief time and then be reduced to low for continuous use. Ironically, the low hum produced by most air purifiers may actually be ideal for the bedroom. Research shows that a low, steady, continuous sound often referred to as “white noise” can increase sleep quality. It’s believed that white noise can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and the number of times you’re awakened while sleeping. Many leading pediatricians also believe that white noise can be especially beneficial for calming babies as the sound mimics the noise heard in the womb.

Filtration

More important than the sound factor is the filtration. The best air purifiers for bedroom use a HEPA particle filter combined with an activated carbon filter for chemicals, gases and odors. This type of air purifier requires a bigger investment than a basic, plastic air cleaner from your local big box or club store, but will clean a wider range of pollutants and be better built for 24/7 use.

To Learn More

For more information on the best air cleaner for the bedroom chat live with an AllerAir Air Quality Expert at www.allerair.com.