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.

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We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the best ionizers for the home and the best air purifiers for an 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 he must cope:

1. improvement of well-being,

2. cleaning the air from odors,

3. removal of allergens and dust.

To solve each of the listed problems, a different type of ionizer is used.

For those who want to improve their health, an apartment model designed for a smaller room is suitable. There will be no ozone smell during its operation.

To remove tobacco smoke and other odors, you can use a device that emits a large amount of ozone. Devices equipped with electrostatic filters cope well with the task. Unlike ionizers with replaceable filters, which quickly become clogged, devices with electrostatic filters are easy to maintain: they do not require constant costs and are easy to clean.

Those who need to get rid of allergens and dust should pay attention to devices equipped with a HEPA filter. During the operation of such ionizers, not only the air is cleaned well, but the smell of ozone is practically 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:

1. unipolar,

2. bipolar.

Unipolar ionizers

The main feature of this group is the production of only one type of particles (negatively or positively charged). There are the following types of unipolar devices:

1. water (not only ionize the air, but also saturate it with water particles),

2. corona (ionize particles entering the device due to a characteristic 'impact'),

3. plasma (ionize and simultaneously purify the air),

4. ultraviolet (eliminate odor and dust with ultraviolet rays),

5. thermal (air ionization occurs due to gas heating).

Advantages

• compactness,

• destruction of viruses, which are mostly positively charged.

• economy,

disadvantages

• only one type of ions is produced,

• release nitrogen compounds.

Bipolar ionizers

Bipolar devices simultaneously emit particles with a positive and negative charge.

Advantages

• lack of release of nitrogen compounds.

• no electrostatic field in the room.

• 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:

1. equipped with a fan,

2. based on the ionic wind principle.

Fan ionizers

Such models are suitable for people who cannot stand odors.

Advantages

• almost complete absence of ozone smell.

disadvantages

• significant noise level.

Ionizers based on the ionic wind principle

Such models will appeal to those who react poorly to extraneous sounds.

Advantages

• work almost silently.

disadvantages

• emit a large amount of ozone, the smell of which is felt in the air.

The choice of the device depending on the area of ​​the apartment

Before buying a device, you need to calculate the area that it will ionize. For families of 2-3 people, models are suitable for cleaning the air in rooms corresponding to the size of the available living space. In this case, the optimal level of anions and ions will be achieved.

Large families who live in small houses or apartments should choose models designed for larger rooms. In this case, air purification will be of better quality.

It should be noted that the minimum ionizer performance standards for a negative charge should be at least 1,500-3,000/400 particles / cm3, and for a positive one – 3,000-5,000/600 particles / cm3. In this case, the polarity indicators 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:

1. the amount of negative ions produced (the recommended rate is from 600 to 50,000 particles per 1 cm3),

2. the area of ​​the room where the device is designed to clean the air,

3. permissible distance from the ionizer to a person (at least 1 m),

4. the number of ozone molecules produced (the lower this parameter, the better, the maximum value should not exceed 0.1 mg / m3),

5. filter type,

6. body material (high quality plastic or wood),

7. the presence of a fan,

8. 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 an average humidity (40%) – 250 ml / h, with high humidity – 60 ml / h is suitable ).

Extra options

The devices can be equipped with:

1. control panel,

2. timer on or off, which allows you not to monitor the operating time of the ionizer,

3. device contamination status indicator, 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. For this, the following types of filters are used:

1. electrostatic,

2. HEPA filter,

3. reticulate,

4. carbonic,

5. photocatalytic.

Electrostatic

The filter is a positively charged grid equipped with a negatively charged element. When passing through the lattice, dust particles receive a positive charge and are attracted to a negatively charged element.

Pros:

1. durability,

2. ideal solution for rooms where people smoke.

Minuses:

1. emits a large amount of ozone,

2. not suitable for residential use.

HEPA filter

The best solution for allergy sufferers.

Pros:

1. cleans the air from the smallest fractions of dust and other negative impurities.

Minuses:

1. must be changed every six months or a year.

Reticulate

The filter is a fine mesh that protects the ionizer from sand and wool.

Pros:

1. inexpensive,

2. protects the device from failure.

Minuses:

1. does not cope with complete air purification.

Carbonic

An excellent solution to eliminate odors.

Pros:

1. ecologicaly clean,

2. suitable for both apartments and public spaces.

Minuses:

1. does not cope with air purification from light compounds.

Photocatalytic

The filter purifies the air using ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which all impurities are neutralized.

Pros:

1. has the highest efficiency among the listed filters.

Minuses:

1. high price.

Ionizer care

The efficiency of ionizers depends on the cleanliness of the needles and filters. Devices with electrostatic filters should be cleaned under running water or wiped with a damp cloth every day. Devices with HEPA filters should be vacuum cleaned once a month. In an ionizer with a humidification function, change the water at least once a day. In this case, you must also clean all containers.

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 non-compliance of the device with the declared characteristics or for repairs.

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In the following articles, we will tell you how to choose the right humidifier for your home and the secrets of choosing an air conditioner for your home and apartment.

Air ionizer selection video

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.