Residential Archives

Are Air Purifiers Effective Against Bird Dander?

You may love your pet, but that doesn’t mean you enjoy the musty odours and feather dust that cling around cage areas and drift through your home, especially if you are sensitive to allergens. Bird dander particles leave a mess on surfaces and pollute indoor air.

Household air purifiers are one of many solutions to this unpleasant side-effect of having a bird. Regular cleaning can only do so much, since bird dander particles are too tiny to see until they have accumulated. Find out why a high-quality air filter is the right choice to keep both you and your pets healthy.

What is bird dander?

Bird dander, also called bird dust or feather dust, looks like a fine white powder. It is made up of particles from your bird’s feathers and is generated year-round by your bird’s preening and molting activities.

Bird dander in molting season

Most birds molt, or lose their feathers, once or twice a year. The sheath of each new feather is coated with keratin (the same type of protein that helps form human hair). This dries as the feather grows, until the sheath bursts and breaks into tiny pieces to form dander.

Bird dander year-round

Keratin is also produced by the small feathers close to a bird’s skin. In this case, it helps your winged friend stay waterproof and keep their feathers soft and silky to the touch.

Every time your bird preens their feathers, they are distributing keratin over their body and keeping their feathers healthy.

Once done preening, birds usually give their feathers a good fluff and flutter, which unfortunately sends a whole bunch of extra bird dander into the air.

Can bird dander trigger allergies?

Bird dander can trigger an allergic reaction. If you already suffer from airborne allergies (such as pollen or dust mites) you will likely react to the presence of bird dander in the air of your home.

Common allergic reactions to bird dander include:

Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy or watery eyes
Itchy skin or rashes
Shortness of breath
Sore or constricted throat
Hives

If you suffer from asthma, your reaction to bird dander can be even more extreme, causing:

Chest tightness
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing

Bird dander can also irritate other household pets. Minimizing the bird dander in your home will contribute to the health of everyone living there.

Bird dander can cause disease

It is important to note that dried feces also contribute to the dander created by a pet bird, and when inhaled, can cause a serious condition called Bird-Fancier’s Lung. This rare, potentially-fatal disease manifests symptoms within six hours of exposure, with symptoms of chills, fever, dry cough and chest pain.

Hopefully, by relying on an effective solution for minimizing the amount of bird dander in the air, you will be able to avoid having to make a painful choice between your pet and your comfort.

How to minimize bird dander and dust

There are several ways to minimize the amount of bird dander in your home. Keep in mind that surface cleaning will only address part of the problem: the real challenge is getting bird dander particles out of the air.

Clean regularly and thoroughly

Pet dander should be regularly removed from your home. Give special attention to carpets, couches, and other plush materials that bird dander and other allergens can easily become embedded in.

Unfortunately, bird dander particles are especially difficult to clean due to their microscopic size and jagged shape, which allows them to float easily and stick tenaciously to soft surfaces like bedding, fabrics, and furniture. Be aware that bird dander will also be present on any objects carried into and out of your home.

Try using a vacuum designed specially to remove allergens. If possible, choose furniture and objects with smooth surfaces. Keep your bird in a room without carpeting. And wear a mask while cleaning.

Choose a bird that produces less dander

Some bird species produce more dander than others. To minimize the amount of bird dander in your home and keep the air clean, choose one of the following bird species for a pet:

Parakeet
Budgee
Finch
Canary
Eclectus Parrot
Pionus Parrot
Conure
Mackaw

Species that produce the most dander are:

African Grey Parrots
Cockatiels
Cockatoos

There are many things to consider when choosing a pet bird, such as the noise they make, the space they need to be happy and healthy, and how many birds you want to take care of. Some species like the company of other birds, but more birds mean more pet dander.

Help your bird keep itself clean

Birds will keep themselves clean if they have regular access to enough water. You can purchase a specially designed bird bath or a clean, shallow pool of lukewarm water. You could also use a clean spray bottle filled with lukewarm water to gently mist your bird.

Just remember never to use soap or water that is too cold or hot, and never get your bird completely saturated.

Regular visits to the vet can include cleaning and grooming, in addition to health checks. Remember, if your bird stops preening or producing dander, this could signal a health issue.

Wipe down the bird cage with a damp cloth and change the cage bottom daily to minimize the amount of bird dander in the room, and vacuum using a HEPA filter or use a damp mop around the cage immediately after changing the cage bottom. You could even lightly mist the cage bottom before replacing it, to make the dander settle.

If you have a pet bird, you will need to replace air purifier filters, air conditioning filters and furnace filters at least once a month.

How to safely clear bird dander and dust from the air with a HEPA filter

Bird dander particles can be very small in width. Because they are so minuscule, they remain in the air for long periods of time. It easy to inhale them without noticing, and once deep in your lungs, they can cause serious health issues over time.

It is important to do more than just surface cleaning if you want to keep bird dander out of the air. To effectively clear the air of bird dander, choose an air purification system equipped with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter combined with another type of filtration will remove 99% of airborne allergens and also eliminate unpleasant odors.

Important warning: Avoid ionizing air purifiers as these emit ozone, which can kill your bird. Some filters have the option of turning off the ionizer. Please proceed carefully.

When choosing an air purifier, you should also:

Be sure the purifier and filter are the right size for the room
Clean and/or replace filters more often than you would if you did not have a pet bird
Choose a filter that makes a minimal amount of white noise

Rid the air of bird dander with an air purifier from Sanuvox

While there are ways to minimize the amount of bird dander in your home by cleaning regularly and making changes to your furniture and decor, the most effective solution is by using an air purifier.

Sanuvox offers a range of powerful, high-performance residential air purifiers that can help to reduce effectively bird dander, pet dander and other allergens from the air. Contact us today and breathe freely!

Are Air Purifiers Safe for Pets?

Household pets like birds, cats and dogs are sensitive to many of the same air-borne allergens and irritants as humans. In fact, in many cases, your pet may be even more sensitive to the toxins in indoor air than you are.

Choosing the right air purifier can keep both you and your pet safe and healthy at home. By learning how air purifiers work, you can easily choose an air purifier that is safe for pets.

Why should I use an air purifier with a pet?

Let’s face it: our furry and feathered friends deserve the healthiest possible environment! After all, they can’t just move somewhere else if they are not comfortable, and unless we can find a person who can communicate with animals, we may not know what is bothering them.

It has been estimated that indoor air pollution is 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor pollution. Although they have a less dramatic effect on humans, many common household pollutants can severely impact our pet’s health and life expectancy.

In addition to helping your pet live a healthier and longer life, an air purifier can also help eliminate unwanted pet smells such as litter box odor, and pet-related allergens like pet dander.

How can I tell if my pet is suffering from poor air quality?

Signs that your pet is suffering from the air quality in your home can be easily confused with symptoms of other types of poisoning, so be sure to take your pet to the vet immediately if they show any unusual symptoms, including:

scratching or itchiness (especially the ears)
red, inflamed skin,
swelling of the face, earls, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
diarrhea
vomiting
runny eyes
constant licking

How can air purifiers help my pet?

Never leave your pet alone in a place with potentially harmful products or materials, or in a room with a strong odor such as paint, varnish, primer, wax, essential oil, detergent or air fresheners.

Some examples of harmful airborne chemicals and substances that can be removed by an air purifier are:

Smog
Fumes from household appliances
Smoke from cigarettes or cannabis (marijuana can be toxic to dogs and cats)
Pesticides
Flame retardants and phthalates (used to soften plastic)
Substances in some food packaging
Cosmetics

What kind of air purifiers are safe for pets?

Different types of air particles work in different ways. While every type of air purifier makes indoor air cleaner, not every method is safe for pets.

Air purifiers to avoid if you have a pet

Some air purifiers rely on oxidization or ionization to purify indoor air. Unfortunately, these processes also release ozone, which is harmful to both human and animal health.

Ozone is especially toxic to birds, but it is bad for humans and other pets too. If you must rely on either of these methods for cleaning your indoor air, make sur you and your pets are away from your home while the purifier is functioning.

Air purifiers that are safe for pets

To choose an air purifier that is safe for pets, look for an air purification system that uses a HEPA filter or carbon filter.

HEPA filter

A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is the best choice for getting rid of pet dander and dust mites. Some studies have shown that 80% of pet allergies are caused by dust mitesL, whose feces and carcasses can linger in upholstery, carpeting and bedding for long periods of time, bursting into the air when any of these items is touched. Dust mites are a common trigger of allergies in humans also.

Made from a very fine paper, a HEPA filter traps over 99% of allergens from the air, including dust, pollen, mould, smoke particulates and bacteria. HEPA filters are safe to use with pets.

Carbon filter

Carbons filters are another type of pet safe air purifier. Carbon filters are great for removing odors and also toxic chemicals including VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds ).

VOCs are released into the air in various types of smoke and other chemical fumes. These gaseous chemicals include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. They are dangerous to both pets and humans, but they can be removed with the right type of air purifier.

UV light air purifier

Some air purifiers rely on UV to safely remove VOCs, odors, viruses and bacteria from the air.

Choosing a residential air purifier that combines all three methods will guarantee you the best possible air quality for you and your pet, with no risk.

Breathe safe fresh air with an air purifier from Sanuvox

Choosing an air purifier that is safe for pets means understanding what the air purifier does and how it works. Some air purifiers work by pushing air through a filter that traps the unwanted particles and returns fresh air to the room. Others release a substance into the air which neutralizes toxins. A third type uses UV rays to destroy viruses and other unwanted elements directly within the air.

Choosing the right air purifier means making sure it does the job without posing an additional risk to your pet.

Sanuvox offers a range of powerful, high-performance household air purifiers that effectively remove toxins and allergens from the air in your home. Contact us today to select an air purifier that is safe for pets!

How Much Electricity Does an Air Purifier Use?

Of the many appliances in the average home that require electricity, air purifiers are not the most energy-intensive by any means. Washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and air conditioners all use significantly more electricity than air purifiers, and even smaller appliances like toasters and coffee makers are much more energy intensive. That being said, you probably aren’t running your toaster 24 hours a day!

Find out how to calculate exactly how much electricity your air purifier uses, what factors affect its energy consumption and how to optimize its efficiency in this article!

What do air purifiers use electricity for?

Air purifiers generally use a fan to pull in contaminated air, send it through some kind of filtration or purification (mechanical or chemical filters or a UV air purification system), and push cleaned air back into the room.

The air purifier’s fan tends to be the main source of energy consumption. Air purifiers that use a UV disinfection process also require electricity to generate light, but the energy consumption is usually minimal.

Factors that affect an air purifier’s energy consumption

The square footage the air purifier covers

There are air purifiers available for a vast range of spaces, from small one-room devices that cover just a few hundred square feet to powerful whole-house air purifiers that cover 4,000 sq. ft. or more.

Of course, the larger the space, the higher the volume of air to be cleaned. A higher volume of air will require a more powerful fan to achieve an acceptable clean air delivery rate (CADR), and a more powerful fan will use more electricity.

How many hours the air purifier runs per day

For optimal air cleaning, it’s best to leave your air purifier on all day every day. They are designed for constant use and only consume a little bit of energy at a time. However, those who are concerned about the electricity cost of a constantly running device may choose to turn it off while they’re at work, or only run it while they’re asleep.

The setting used

Air purifiers generally have more than one setting. The power consumption rate provided by the manufacturer is usually based on the highest setting, so you can save energy by running your air purifier at a lower setting.

It’s best to use the highest setting when first turning on the air purifier to efficiently clean the air, but it’s fine to switch to a lower setting once the device has been running for a couple of hours. Some air purifiers are even equipped with a sensor that tests the air quality and automatically adjusts the device’s setting accordingly!

How to calculate an air purifier’s electricity cost

To calculate the cost of an air purifier’s power consumption, you’ll need:

The power of the device (in watts)
The number of hours it runs per day
The cost of electricity in your area (in dollars per kilowatt hour)

An air purifier’s power is generally expressed in watts (W). In order to calculate how much it will cost to run, we first need to determine the amount of energy used in kilowatt hours (kWh).

(power in watts x hours used daily) / 1000 = kWh per day

Then, all you need to do is multiply the result by the cost of electricity in your area to determine the daily cost of running your air purifier.

kWh per day x cost of electricity = daily cost of running the device

Calculating an air purifier’s electricity cost: an example

As an example, let’s take Sanuvox’s Sanuvair S300 residential UV air purifier, which covers up to 4,000 sq. ft. Its power is 180W, and let’s say it’s being used all day (24 hrs) in the province of Quebec.

(180W x 24) / 1000 = 4.32 kWh per day

Use a nationwide average to calculate electricity cost for the first 40 kWh used per day. We’ll use that rate to complete your calculation.

Despite being powerful enough to provide air cleaning for an entire large house, the Sanuvair S300 air purifier only costs $0.27 per day in electricity use, and that’s when running continuously at the highest setting.

How to optimize your air purifier’s energy efficiency

While air purifiers don’t use a lot of electricity, there are things you can do to make them even more energy efficient:

Clean/replace the filter: If your air purifier has a mechanical filter, the most important thing you can do to optimize energy efficiency is clean or replace the filter regularly. Mechanical filters are designed to trap dust, hair and other particles, but as they become saturated, it will be more and more difficult for the fan to push the air through.
Choose the right air purifier for your space: Choose an air purifier with a coverage area that’s as close as possible to the size of the space you want to use it for. An air purifier that is rated for less will have to work overtime and at higher fan speeds to improve the air quality, and an air purifier that is rated for more will use up more energy for no reason.
Use auto mode: If your air purifier is equipped with an air quality sensor, put it on auto mode so that the fan speed will automatically adjust based on the air quality level detected.
Put your air purifier in the right place: Place your air purifier in a central location that is unobstructed to ensure smooth air flow.
Close doors and windows: Keep doors and windows closed to prevent additional pollutants from coming in as the air purifier is trying to clean the air.

Get energy-efficient air purification from Sanuvox!

With the rising cost of living and the climate crisis, it is completely valid to be concerned about your energy consumption. Fortunately, breathing cleaner air with the help of an air purifier doesn’t come at a high cost—for your wallet or the planet!

Sanuvox offers a range of residential and commercial UV air purifiers that are very effective at deactivating and help to reduce all kinds of chemical and biological contaminants. Browse our online shop or contact us today to explore our energy-efficient options!

Where is the Best Place to Put an Air Purifier?

Getting an air purifier for your house can make a real difference to your health and quality of life. If you’re planning to invest in one, you’ll understandably want to make sure that you get the most out of it. To that end, it’s important to find just the right spot to place it in.

In this article, discover which factors to consider when deciding where to place your air purifier to ensure that it operates at peak efficiency.

Place your air purifier where it will make the greatest difference

When deciding where to put your air purifier, think about the specific pollutants that made you want to buy the device and where they might emanate from. You’ll also want to prioritize the places where you spend the most time.

Close to the source of the pollutants

The closer an air purifier is to the source of the pollutants you want to eliminate, the more effective it will be. Positioning your air purifier close to the source will enable it to snatch contaminants from the air before they have a chance to circulate through the rest of the house.

For example, if you’d like your air purifier to remove pet dander to alleviate your allergies, place it where your pet spends the most time. Or put your air purifier in the basement to mitigate a mold problem while waiting for professional remediation.

If your airborne contaminant problem is more generalized and you’re not sure where to place your air purifier, you can always use an air quality monitor to measure where the pollutants are most concentrated.

Wherever you are

If you opt for a portable air purifier, you’ll have the benefit of being able to bring it with you from room to room. Put your air purifier in the bedroom overnight to help you sleep better, or bring it into your home office while you work to keep you clear-headed and focused. That way, even if you can’t cleanse the air throughout your home, at least you’ll be able to make the most of the air purification you do have!

Put your air purifier in an enclosed space

It’s best to keep doors and windows closed while your air purifier is running. Any opening to the outside will create an access point for new pollutants such as pollen to enter your home, making more work for your air purifier.

Furthermore, most air purifiers are rated for a limited space. Leaving doors to hallways and other rooms open will prevent your air purifier from operating at peak efficiency as it tries to cleanse the air in all of the space it has access to. Therefore, it’s best to keep your air purifier in an enclosed space that’s no bigger than it is rated for. If you want to keep your doors open, get an air purifier that’s powerful enough to cleanse your whole house!

Place your air purifier in a spot with good airflow

Air purifiers draw contaminated air in, run it through one or more purification or filtration systems, and then push the cleansed air back out into the room. Therefore, the best place to put an air purifier is somewhere with good airflow.

Don’t put your air purifier in an area where its airflow will be restricted!

Off the ground

It’s best to place your air purifier at least 3 to 5 feet off the ground to give it the best access to both horizontal and vertical airflow. Elevating the air purifier will make it easier for the device to reach air all the way up to the ceiling. Consider placing your device on a piece of furniture or opt for one that can be wall-mounted.

In an unencumbered area

Make sure to place your air purifier in an unencumbered area that’s free of any furniture that might block or restrict airflow. Ideally, you’ll want at least 3 clear feet of space in all directions, including directly above the air purifier, for it to perform at its best.

Purify the air in your home efficiently with Sanuvox

Sanuvox is a leading provider of residential UV air purifiers. We offer a selection of portable, wall-mounted and in-duct UV light air purifiers that cover spaces of various size so that you can opt for the one that best suits your needs. Contact us today to make your purchase or ask any further questions you have about installation and placement. Our experts will be happy to help!

Can an Air Purifier Help with Snoring?

Sleeping well is a vital part of maintaining your physical and mental health. Whether you snore or sleep with someone who does, snoring can be very disruptive to your sleep cycle and general well-being. If you’re looking for snoring remedies and wondering whether an air purifier might help, you should know that its effectiveness will depend on the underlying cause of the snoring.

What causes snoring?

When you fall into a deep sleep, the muscles in your mouth, tongue and throat relax. As they relax, the tissues in your throat may partially block your airway, vibrating as the airflow passes through and creating a snoring sound. The obstruction may be caused by a variety of factors:

Anatomy: Having a low or thick soft palate, a big tongue, an elongated uvula or large tonsils means more tissue in your throat that may cause a blockage as it relaxes.
Obesity: People who are overweight are more likely to have an increased amount of tissue in the throat.
Sleep position: Lying on your back allows gravity to pull your tongue back towards your throat as your muscles relax.
Substances: Alcohol and sleeping pills can cause your muscles to relax more than they would otherwise.
Airway irritation: Allergens and other airborne contaminants can irritate your airways and inflame your throat tissues. This is where having an air purifier in the house can help!

Obstructive sleep apnea

Note that severe snoring may be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder where the airways become blocked enough to deprive the body of oxygen. If you suspect that you might have obstructive sleep apnea, symptoms of which include loud snoring, gasping for breath while asleep and daytime fatigue, talk to a medical professional.

How air purifiers can help with snoring

Air purifiers can help you sleep better and ease your snoring if you suffer from airway inflammation caused by airborne contaminants. Air purifiers are designed to remove allergens such as pollen, dust, and pet dander from the surrounding air. Some types of residential air purifier systems are also effective against other irritants such as chemicals and cigarette smoke.

Air purifiers work by pulling contaminated air in, passing it through a fine mesh filter and/or other purification systems to eliminate the contaminants, and returning clean air to the room. The improved air quality should help alleviate the inflammation and consequently, the snoring. The devices are exceptionally quiet but emit a low level of background white noise, which may help partners disturbed by the sound of snoring.

Breathe deep for sound sleep with Sanuvox!

If snoring is disrupting your sleep or your partner’s, it’s best to get to the bottom of what is causing your airway obstruction. If airway inflammation is the culprit, using an air purifier to reduce airborne contaminants may provide some relief.

Sanuvox is a global leader in UV air purification systems. Our patented UV purification process effectively destroys airborne pathogens and degrades chemicals and odours that may be irritating your airways. We also offer devices that include HEPA and activated carbon filters for additional particle and chemical filtration. Contact us today for air purifiers that truly make a difference!

Do Air Purifiers Help With Radon?

Radon is a common household hazard that is often overlooked. While it is fairly harmless in low amounts, high concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cancer. It’s important to be aware of the hazard, know how it can be detected and what can be done to mitigate it. Find out those answers and whether air purifiers can contribute to mitigating radon in this article!

What is radon?

Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is produced as natural radioactive elements in the soil decay. Being an inert element of the periodic table, radon always remain mono-atomic and does not chemically bond or react with any element. Radon is generally harmless when dispersed into the air outside, but it can easily accumulate indoors and reach dangerous levels.

The air pressure inside buildings is generally lower than in the surrounding soil. The difference in pressure draws air and other gases into the building. Radon can enter easily through cracks in the foundation and other openings where the building is in contact with the ground.

Health risks associated with radon

After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada and the United States. When radon gas is inhaled, the radioactive elements continue to break down inside the lungs, releasing small bursts of energy that damage the lung cells and can lead to cancer as they reproduce.

The risk of cancer depends on the level and duration of radon exposure. Smoking in conjunction with radon exposure is linked to a much higher risk of lung cancer.

Do air purifiers help with radon?

When it comes to trapping ambient gases, not all air purifiers are created equal. Those equipped with HEPA filters are designed to mechanically trap particles such as dust, pet dander and mold. The best air purifiers for smells, VOCs and gases are those equipped with activated carbon filters, which chemically attract the molecules, and UV light air purifiers, which degrade them.

Because Radon is chemically inert, no air purifiers can help mitigate it.

Radon mitigation measures

Testing for radon

The first vital step is to test the air quality in your home to determine the levels of radon present. This can be done either by a professional or with the help of a DIY home test kit. When testing yourself, it’s best to do so over a longer period of time (3 months or so), because radon levels can fluctuate according to several factors, including the time of year.

If your test detects radon levels above the Canadian guidelines, steps should be taken to reduce them. The higher the concentration of radon, the sooner you’ll need to act.

Professional radon mitigation

The gold standard for dealing with a radon problem is to hire a professional, particularly when faced with high levels of the gas. A professional radon mitigation system can be installed in under a day and will reduce radon levels by up to 90%.

Increasing home ventilation

Increasing ventilation in the home can lower radon levels by 25 to 50%. That being said, the effectiveness of this strategy has its limits. Therefore, it should only be used as a complementary measure or in situations where the required reduction in radon levels is minimal.

Sealing cracks in the foundation

Since radon comes from the ground and generally seeps through cracks and holes in the foundation, sealing these entry points can help stop the gas from entering your home in the first place. Sealing cracks can also prevent other problems such as water infiltration and pest incursions. However, this method can only reduce radon levels by about 13%.

Breathe cleaner air with Sanuvox

While air purifiers aren’t effective against radon, they can improve the air quality in your home in many ways. The right air purifier can cleanse the air you breathe of particles like pollen and dust, harmful chemicals and microorganisms, improving your health and quality of life.

Sanuvox provides first-rate UV air purifiers for residential use. Whether you’re looking for an air purifier for your whole house or a portable model, we have excellent options for you to discover. Contact us today!

Should an Air Purifier Run All the Time?

If you have invested in an air purifier, it’s safe to assume that you care about the quality of the air in your home and how it impacts your health. However, there are other considerations that must also be taken into account, such as how much electricity the device uses and the resulting impact on the environment.

In this article, find out everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether or not to leave your air purifier running.

How long do air purifiers take to work?

It can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours for an air purifier to eliminate contaminants and improve the air quality in a room. How long your air purifier takes to work will depend on several factors, including the size of the space you want cleaned, the setting you use and the amount of pollutants in the air. It’s always best to select an air purifier that is rated as close as possible to the size of the space you plan to use it in—otherwise, it may not function as effectively.

Unfortunately, an air purifier’s job isn’t done once the air in the room is clean. Contaminants will continue to accumulate in the air, meaning that the air purifier must work continuously to eliminate them. Once you shut the device off, unwanted pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen and bacteria will return within a few hours.

Is it safe to run an air purifier all the time?

Residential air purifier systems are designed to run continuously, so there is no danger in keeping them running, even when you are out of the house or asleep.

What is the energy cost of running an air purifier all the time?

The energy cost of running an air purifier continuously is surprisingly low. Even a powerful whole house air purifier that covers up to 4,000 sq. ft. can cost just $0.27 a day, and that’s when run continuously on the highest setting.

To save electricity, you can switch the device to a lower setting once it has been running for a couple of hours. There are even air purifiers that are able to test the ambient air quality and automatically adjust the setting accordingly!

Enjoy the benefits of cleaner air with Sanuvox!

As you can see, the drawbacks of leaving your air purifier on all the time are minimal. It’s perfectly safe to keep the device running continuously, and the amount of energy it consumes is very small. And the advantages are significant—by running your air purifier all the time, you’ll benefit from the best air quality possible, and the cleaner the air, the better for your health!

Sanuvox is a global leader in UV air purification systems. Our air purifiers use high-intensity UV rays to deactivate and destroy airborne contaminants. Contact us today for reliable, energy-efficient air purification solutions!

Do Air Purifiers Cool the Room?

Air purifiers don’t contain any cooling mechanisms. They are designed to eliminate harmful particles, gases and microorganisms from the air by pulling contaminated air in, blowing it through filters and/or other purification mechanisms, and releasing the cleaned air out the other side. This process creates air movement, which may result in a mild cooling effect, but it has no ability to change the ambient temperature in the room.

Air movement vs. air cooling

Air purifiers move air through a room, which can produce a cooling effect similar to that of a fan. Moving air feels cooler to us because it speeds up the process of convection—hot air rising and being replaced by cooler air. Think of it like blowing on hot soup—the air around the bowl is heated up by the soup, blown away and replaced by colder air that helps the soup cool down more quickly. Moving air also helps our sweat evaporate more quickly, reducing body heat and making us feel cooler.

It’s important to note that while air purifiers are equipped with a fan, it is designed to pull contaminated air into the device rather than push air out into the room like a regular fan. The air that comes into the purifier slows down as it moves through the filters, meaning that it emerges more slowly at the other end. That means that even a small desk fan will be much more efficient at emitting a fast-moving and cooling air stream than an air purifier.

The difference between air purifiers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers for room cooling

Let’s take a look at these oft-confused household devices and their functions with regard to the ability to cool a room.

Air purifiers

The main purpose of an air purifier is not to cool a room—rather, it is designed to clean the air of impurities and contaminants that could be harmful to human health. Whole house air purifiers are intended to improve indoor air quality in order to promote better sleep, reduce asthma and allergy symptoms, and much more.

There are a few different methods of that these devices use to purify the air. One of the most common is the HEPA filter, made of finely woven mesh that can trap 99.97% of even the most penetrating particles (0.3 microns in size). These filters are considered to be very effective at capturing common irritants such as dust, pollen and pet dander.

Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters are considered to be most effective at trapping hazardous fumes and unpleasant smells. The activated carbon chemically attracts gases through a process called adsorption, effectively trapping paint fumes, cigarette smoke and other potentially dangerous odours.

There are also residential UV air purifiers that deactivate and destroy harmful microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and mold spores. Rather than using a mechanical filter, the UV process involves shining strong rays of light on the moving air stream to attack contaminants on a molecular level.

Air conditioners

Air conditioners are units designed specifically to cool down a room. Warm air from the room is drawn into the device and flows over cold evaporator coils that cool it down. The excess heat is vented outside (usually via a window attachment) and the cool air is released back into the room.

While most air conditioners are equipped with filters, these are nowhere near as effective at trapping contaminants as purpose-built air purifiers. However, if you have central air conditioning, there are coil cleaners that can be installed to sanitize your HVAC system.

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are designed to reduce the amount of humidity in the air. Like air purifiers, these devices don’t actively cool down the air, but they can influence how cool a room feels. When there is a lot of humidity in the air, it slows down the sweat evaporation process that helps us get rid of excess body heat. Humidity can make the ambient air feel much hotter, which is why weather reports often include the humidex to better express what the temperature will feel like. Dehumidifiers eliminate humidity from the air so that our bodies can release excess body heat more effectively.

As with air conditioners, warm, humid air is drawn into the device and blown over cold evaporator coils, removing the moisture from the air by reverting it to liquid form. The moisture is collected and the air is returned to its original temperature before being released back into the room.

Sanuvox: UV air purifiers for cleaner air

As you can see, each of these devices is designed for a specific purpose. It’s best to select the one that matches your desired function for optimal results. Or, if you prefer, you can use the different devices in conjunction for cleaner, cooler, drier air.

If you’ve determined that an air purifier is indeed what you’re looking for, contact Sanuvox today! We offer a selection of first-rate UV light air purification systems for residential and commercial use. Improve your indoor air quality and breathe easy with Sanuvox!

Do Air Purifiers Dry Out the Air in Your Home?

Air purifiers don’t contain any mechanisms that remove moisture from the air. They are designed to improve indoor air quality by passing air through filters and/or other purification mechanisms in order to remove harmful particles, gases and microorganisms. There are other appliances called humidifiers and dehumidifiers that are made to help control moisture levels in the home.

Why does the air feel dry with an air purifier running?

Whole house or large room air purifiers continually circulate the air in a room. A fan is used to draw air into the device and push it through the filters, removing impurities. Moving air feels cooler because it speeds up the process of convection, allowing hot air to rise and colder air to take its place. Since hot air is able to hold more moisture than cold, it’s easy to associate cool, moving air with dryness.

If the air in your home feels dry, look beyond your air purifier for the source. Indoor air tends to be a lot drier in winter, due to a combination of cold outdoor air that is less able to retain humidity, poor insulation, and central heating that increases the temperature without adding any moisture. These conditions are more likely to be the culprits of dry air in the home.

The functions of air purifiers, dehumidifiers and humidifiers

Air purifiers

The purpose of an air purifier is to cleanse the air in a room. Indoor air can contain all sorts of contaminants, from pollen that gets tracked in from outdoors to the dust that accumulates naturally in every house. These can be detrimental to our health, particularly for those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. Residential air purifiers are designed to eliminate pollutants and improve the quality of the air we breathe.

There are several different types of air purification systems. HEPA filters are mechanical filtration systems that are effective at trapping particles like pet dander. Activated carbon filters, meanwhile, use a process called adsorption to attract and trap harmful gases and odours like cigarette smoke smell. There are also UVC air purifiers that use light to deactivate and destroy microorganisms such as mold spores and viruses.

Dehumidifiers

A dehumidifier is an appliance used to dry out the air in a home. Ambient air is drawn into the device and blown across cold evaporator coils, which reverts the moisture in the air to liquid form. The moisture collects in a water tank and the dehumidified air is released back into the room.

If you have a dehumidifier in the house, you can simply set it to your preferred humidity level (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends humidity levels be kept between 30% and 60%). The device will reduce ambient moisture to that level and maintain it. Just remember to empty the water tank regularly!

Humidifiers

A humidifier’s function is opposite to that of a dehumidifier—it increases humidity levels in a home rather than decreasing them. Humidifiers are often used in winter to counteract the dryness caused by the cold weather and central heating.

Different types of humidifiers add moisture to the air in a variety of ways. Some boil water and release the steam into the air. Others blow air through a moistened filter or use an ultrasonic frequency or a diffuser to release tiny water droplets into the air.

Air purifiers: an investment in cleaner air

As you can see, air purifiers are designed to clean the air, while humidifiers and dehumidifiers are used to regulate moisture levels. An air purifier won’t have any effect on the humidity in your home, but it will improve air quality.

Concerned about the air quality in your home? Consider investing in a UV air purifier from Sanuvox. Our devices are equipped with lamps that emit high-intensity UV rays for maximum disinfection, effectively deteriorating and destroying harmful chemicals, odours and microorganisms of all kinds. Contact us today for a breath of fresh air!

Can an Air Purifier Help with Carbon Monoxide?

Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a hazard that is all too common in our indoor environments. Since the gas is very toxic in high concentrations and even small amounts can have negative effects on our health, it’s important to be able to detect its presence and know which steps to take to eliminate it from the air.

In this article, find out more about carbon monoxide and whether air purifiers can be effective against it.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has no colour, odour or taste, making it very difficult to detect. When inhaled, it reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, which can prove lethal in severe cases.

Carbon monoxide is produced during fuel combustion, with common sources including gas generators, charcoal grills, vehicle exhaust, gas stoves, blocked chimney flues and second-hand smoke. The risk of exposure tends to be higher in the winter months because most homes are heated using fuel-burning appliances that can emit carbon monoxide if they malfunction or are poorly installed or maintained.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Exposure to the gas causes carbon monoxide poisoning that can begin to affect you before you even notice its presence. Symptoms range in severity depending on the intensity and length of exposure.

Low-level exposure: tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, impaired motor function
Mid-level or prolonged low-level exposure: dizziness, chest pain, vision problems, difficulty thinking
High-level exposure: convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, death

Air purifiers and carbon monoxide

When it comes to carbon monoxide, not all whole house air purifiers are created equal. Air purifiers with HEPA filters, while very effective against small particles such as pet dander, dust and mold, can do little against harmful gases. Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters do best against carbon monoxide.

Activated carbon filters remove pollutants from the air through the filter and adhere to the surface of the activated carbon and become trapped. Note that the surface of the activated carbon filter will eventually become saturated with pollutants and cease to function effectively, so it must be replaced regularly.

Air purifier limitations: significant levels of carbon monoxide

It is vital to understand that while portable UV air purifiers with an activated carbon filter work well against trace amounts of carbon monoxide found in ambient air pollution, they are not effective against significant levels of carbon monoxide. If you suspect that there is a substantial source of carbon monoxide in or around your home, it must be dealt with directly.

In the event of a major carbon monoxide leak, vacate the building immediately and contact emergency services. Professionals will need to eliminate the carbon monoxide before you can reenter the premises.

Can air purifiers detect carbon monoxide?

While air purifiers are able to eliminate trace amounts of carbon monoxide, they are not able to detect and alert residents to its presence. There is a completely different device, known as a carbon monoxide detector, that offers this function.

Breathe easy with Sanuvox

Sanuvox is a global leader in UVC air purifiers. Our commercial and residential UV air purifiers can help protect against a wide variety of airborne pollutants, from carbon monoxide and VOCs to mold spores and viruses. Contact us today to improve your indoor air quality!