Contrary to what you may have heard, not all air purifiers are created equal. While most air purifier designs vary in shape, size and color, the look of a purifier is not nearly as important as the filter contained within it. A HEPA air purifier benefits you by lasting longer and capturing more pollutants than any of its competitors.

The secret is in the technology. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) air purifiers, created by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, are advanced enough to capture even the minutest particles (down to .3 microns), including bacteria. When HEPA purifiers are combined with military activated carbon cloth, potassium iodide, or carbon zeolite even odors, and chemicals such as formaldehyde, diesel fumes, and varnish (to name a few) cannot escape.

HEPA purifiers use the same technology as hospital filters. Vapors and gases, undetected by most other air purifiers, are caught and held by HEPA air filters. The larger particles that we can see with the naked eye are trapped by the prefilter. The benefit is incredibly pure air. Chronic allergy and asthma are alleviated because the filters trap allergy and asthma triggers such as pollen, dander, mold, mildew, dust mites, and chemicals smells associated with common household products such as detergent, soap, and cleaning solutions.

HEPA purifiers can be installed directly into your heating and air conditioning systems, but should you sell your home, it would be difficult if not impossible to take the unit with you; and would be unlikely to be able to adapt in your next home's heating and cooling system. The advantage to the portable HEPA's is that they are relatively light-weight, and can travel easily, whether from one room to another in your home, or with you to a hotel room or condo for vacation. The portable units guarantee that the air you breathe will be free of pollutants wherever you are.

Just as with other household appliances, most HEPA air purifiers are offered in an assortment of colors and styles that will compliment most any decor. And the best part is that you just plug it in and breathe—no assembly necessary (smile)!