Is There an Air Purifier for Viruses?
Do Air Purifiers Work for Viruses?
Is there really an air purifier for viruses? To be clear, there is no one solitary and magical solution, but we are happy to report that if you ask the question, “Do air purifiers work for viruses?” we can answer with a definite “yes, they can.” While many virus particles are quite small (down to .005 micron in diameter)1, they often travel in larger droplets and aerosols from sneezing, coughing, talking or even breathing.2 Portable air purifiers can be part of an effective defense against viruses, including the coronavirus Covid-19, when used as part of a strategy that includes other best practices as recommended by the CDC.3 In fact, there are high-quality air purifiers available that are effective at trapping airborne particles. Some models may even remove viruses floating in the air. Air purifiers use a variety of filtering technologies, and not all units are alike. Mechanical filtration, electronic filtration, absorbent media, ozone generators, ionizers and even ultraviolet (UV) lights are all used in varying combinations. Of course, as with any other consumer product, some air purifier units are more effective than others, so it definitely pays to do your homework. As a part of your research, we recommend spending some time looking into air purification products by Carrier.
Carrier air purifiers can be an effective solution to clean the air in your home. Three reasons to consider Carrier are the combination of a three-tiered filtration system, an 18-speed circulating fan and a built-in air quality monitor. The first filter is a MERV 8 pre-filter, which does a great job with larger airborne particles. This filter is similar to a good quality furnace filter. Next, our advanced high-efficiency filter traps particles as small as 0.3 microns, meaning it can capture pet dander, pollen, dust, bacteria and other potentially irritating airborne particulate matter. Our high-efficiency filter is currently being assessed for HEPA certification. Finally, an activated carbon filter helps mitigate odors. The 18-speed fan allows for a wide variance in airflow. The unit can self-adjust fan speeds based in input from our on-board air quality monitor, or you can manually select the speed that works best for you. For example, if you want the unit to keep processing air but want it to be ultra-quiet at bedtime, you can select a lower speed. The air quality monitor also rates the quality of the air in your living space and lets you know the results on its LED screen. For a closer look at Carrier air purifiers and how they can help clear the air in your living space, check out our Carrier at Home website.
What Is the Difference Between an Air Purifier and an Air Sanitizer?
While some may consider it a matter of semantics, there are very distinct differences between air purifiers and air sanitizers. Both types of these air cleaners can be effective tools for improving indoor air quality and can even help answer the question, “Do air purifiers work for viruses?” Generally speaking, the big difference between the two is this: air purifiers work by removing airborne particles and trapping them in a physical media, while air sanitizers use technology such as UV light (ultraviolet light) to actually kill or inactivate living microorganisms.
Here’s a closer look:
Air Purifiers - Air purifiers typically include an air circulating fan that draws air into a filter or system of filters. These are either mechanical, electronic or adsorbent media filters. A mechanical filter is a tightly woven mesh material that physically captures airborne particles. These types of filters offer varying capabilities and can be compared by MERV ratings, with the higher the number the better. HEPA filters are among the very best available mechanical filters. HEPA is short for “high efficiency particulate air” and can only be used to describe filters that have been certified with the ability to trap 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. Electronic filters like electrostatic precipitators and ionizers use an electrical charge that allows airborne particles to be trapped on specially designed collector plates or other surfaces. Mechanical and electronic air cleaners are great for particulate matter, but not too effective at controlling odors. Adsorbent media filters such as activated carbon combine mechanical attributes and chemical methods to mitigate odors.
Air Sanitizers – Air sanitizers provide the ability to kill or inactivate indoor biological pollutants, including bacteria, viruses and some molds. Keep in mind that these pollutants require prolonged exposure to the UV light and therefore many room-type air sanitizers using UV light technology must first capture the microorganisms to be truly effective. UV light systems designed to clean static surfaces, such as HVAC evaporator coils, can provide some indoor air quality benefits. However, for the sheer ability of removing airborne pollutants from circulating air within your home, a HEPA-based air purifier with an activated carbon filter for odors will be more effective.
Also, keep in mind that whatever air purifier you select, be careful to purchase a model designed to provide effective air cleaning for the size of the room in which it will be used. As such, knowing how many square feet your space measures will help you choose a properly sized unit. For help in determining the right air purifier for your home, Carrier has in Indoor Air Quality Product Finder on its direct-to-consumer website.
Does COVID-19 Live in the Air?
One question many people are asking is, “Does COVID-19 Live in the Air?” According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), it does. Researchers at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) studied how long the virus survives in the air and on surfaces and found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours.4 The CDC also has research available on this topic, including how the virus is transferred via droplets and aerosols released via exhaling. 5
As part of a multi-layered approach to improving the air quality in your home, including removing sources of airborne contaminates and enhancing ventilation, we recommend adding an air purifier to the mix. For more information, check out Air Purification Products by Carrier today.