WHY BOTH
How an air purifier complements duct cleaning
Duct cleaning and air purifiers solve different halves of the same problem. One removes what has built up; the other deals with what keeps arriving.
Duct cleaning removes the build-up
Years of dust, pet hair and debris settle inside the ductwork and are pushed back into your rooms every time the system runs. Air duct cleaning removes it at the source.
A purifier catches what arrives daily
Cooking, pets, open doors and everyday dust keep adding particles to the air. A purifier runs continuously in the room, catching them before they settle.
A good filter protects the system
The filter at your air handler keeps newly cleaned ducts clean for longer. Choosing and changing it is covered in our air filter guide.
CHOOSING ONE
What to look for in an air purifier
Size matters more than features. A purifier that is too small for the room runs flat out and still leaves most of the air untreated, so start with the square footage of the room you want to use it in and choose a unit rated for that space or larger.
Then match the filter to the problem. And remember that in a Florida home a purifier is not a dehumidifier: if the air feels damp or smells musty, the humidity needs dealing with as well.
- True HEPA filters capture fine particles such as dust, pollen and pet dander
- Activated carbon helps with cooking, pet and smoke odors
- Check the noise level if it will run in a bedroom
- Price the replacement filters before you buy the unit
COST
What does an air purifier cost?
The price depends mostly on the size of the room the unit is built for and the type of filtration it uses. A good portable purifier for a bedroom or office costs much less than a high-capacity unit for an open-plan living area.
Budget for the filters too. Most purifiers need new filters every six to twelve months, and over a few years the filters can cost as much as the unit itself.
General market ranges, not our prices. Filters are typically replaced every 6–12 months, depending on the model.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Two air purifiers we recommend
Both are sold by Sylvane, an indoor air quality retailer we are happy to point customers to. Check the product page for coverage and current prices.
Austin Air HealthMate Jr.
A HEPA purifier with an activated carbon filter, in a compact size suited to bedrooms, offices and smaller rooms. A good choice when dust, pollen or pet dander is the main concern, with some help on everyday odors.
AirFree P2000
A filterless, silent unit that uses heat to reduce airborne microorganisms such as mold spores and bacteria. With no filters to replace and no fan noise, it suits bedrooms and closed rooms. It does not trap dust, so pair it with a filter-based purifier if dust is the problem.
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Looking for something else? Browse all air purifiers at Sylvane.
