Air Purifiers: What Do They Do, and Why Do I Need One?

You may have noticed the term ‘air purifier’ is being thrown around a lot today, and that’s got you wondering why would anyone need one? Do they really help with airborne allergens? Should I get one, and how do I choose? If you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions read on as we explore some of the principles of air purifiers.

What Are Air Purifiers Really?

As you may already know our air is full of pollutants, which range from those that are mildly irritating to those that can be very harmful to our bodies. You may not have even seen these particles, but they are out there. Air purifiers are one way to reduce the pollution we breathe in, at least in our homes. Their dedicated technology filters, destroys, and neutralizes unwanted particles, such as dust, dandruff, pet hair, as well as bad odours, and much more. They’re the perfect tool to keep the air in your home fresh, reduce smoke residue, and alleviate the symptoms of asthma and various allergies. But do they really work? The short answer is yes. The long answer is that their efficiency depends on factors like the size of your room, the level of pollution, the speed of the fan, the type of filter and the method of use.

The Gorenje brand has several models to choose from, and here are our top picks:
OptiAir 203M | AP 500 SenseAir | AP 350 FlexiAir

Why Buy, and What to Look Out For

They say we have a set number of breaths in our lives, and every breath counts. You want to make sure that breath is going to be the best it can possibly be. Gorenje’s air purifiers will help remove viruses, allergens, aerosols, and pollutants from your home, ensuring every breath you take is clean, fresh, and full of life. Let us give you a quick rundown of some interesting features, and then some of the things to consider when shopping around.

• Timer – Switch the appliance on and off on a preset interval
• Remote control – Easier to control your device remotely
• Ionization technology – Negative ions improve the efficiency of your filters
• Air quality sensor – Monitors the air in your home and provides real-time reports
• LED Display – Easy to see and navigate
• Filter replacement indicator – Always know when you need to replace a filter to ensure uninterrupted quality results

Choosing the Right Filter

What filter you use will affect the performance and method of air filtration. Gorenje appliances have an efficient filter system, with unique 3in1 replicable filters, consisting at least of a pre-filter, a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter.

• HEPA filter – This is the most common type of air filter. It efficiently destroys bacteria, mites, mould, dust, smoke, and odours. Unsurprisingly, its advantage is its almost 100% efficiency, but where it falls short is the amount of sound it produces and the fact that it has to be changed regularly.
• Active carbon filter – The main benefit of activated carbon is its ability to remove unwanted odours from the air, making it perfect for active kitchens and smoking areas. The disadvantage is that it does not filter larger particles like pollen and house dust and must be changed regularly.

A dedicated light reminds you when it’s time to change the filters. Selected Gorenje models also come with a special LED ring which gives you information about air quality in real time.

Another important component of the filtration system to look out for is the ionizer. This feature is a practical addition for more efficient air purification. Negative ions emitted from the ionizer cause pollutants, aerosols, and microparticles to bind better, faster, and stronger to the filters, and aids in killing bacteria and viruses in the air.

Get the Right Size for Your Needs

When we’re talking about choosing the right air purifier, it’s vital to consider where you’re going to place it; the size of the space, where in the room your purifier will live, and what your space looks like. These are the things that are going to greatly influence air flow. The ‘m3’ values you’ll see on air purifiers give you an idea of the volume of air the appliance can clean per hour. Gorenje offers a wide selection of air purifiers, suitable for a range of small, medium, and large spaces, and are easy to move from one area to another.

Another thing to think about is noise. Different appliances and even different filters are going to impact the amount of noise coming from your purifier. Gorenje’s air purifies are whisper quiet, producing as little as 25 dB on the lower settings, making them perfect for bedrooms or around babies. For reference, bedroom noises shouldn’t exceed 40dB. In busier areas of the home, you can crank up the power, but even then, the appliance will only emit up to about 50 dB, which means you’ll probably never notice it.

Why Is the Ionizer So Important?

When deciding to buy an air purifier it is important to consider how it affects our ozone. That is why the ion technology in Gorenje purifiers is so important. Ions, which have the ability to attract and neutralize bacteria, viruses, dust, smoke and other impurities, also have an extremely positive effect on the body. Oxidation and reduction are constantly taking place within us, and the body needs negative ions from the air around us. When there are enough negative ions in the room, the level of oxygen in the blood improves, as does our ability to excrete toxins.

It’s no accident that negative ions are naturally produced in areas strongly associated with freshness: near waterfalls, inside pine forests, by the seashore… Unfortunately, most of us spend most of time in large cities, in apartments and offices, away from these natural hotspots of fresh, clean, healthy air.

All In All, a Good Purchase?

Of course, air purifiers are not all-powerful, so vacuuming is still necessary. But we still feel they’re a quality purchase. Significantly less dust and amazingly fresh air around the house are things we can’t get enough of.

Your Best Bet in the Fight Against Allergens and Pathogens

They may be great for ensuring fresh air in our homes, but how can we be sure they’re actually making the air healthier? An excellent question resolved by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF). Gorenje’s top air purifier model, the AP500 SenseAir proudly carries the ECARF seal which certifies that the appliance completely fulfills the needs of allergy sufferers. The AP 500 also eliminates 99% of bacteria and viruses, ensuring that every breath you take will be healthy and full of life.