Winter smog is frequent. Even indoors with closed windows, there is no barrier against PM2.5, which is only 1/20 the size of a human hair. Moreover, various indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and bacteria may already exist, posing a great threat to children, the elderly, or those with weak constitutions. Therefore, equipping an air purifier indoors has become an effective means to ensure respiratory health. However, there are still some misconceptions in the use of air purifiers. Luftmy editors list them one by one below:

Misconception 1: Choosing an air purifier must include PM2.5 purification functions

Many air purifiers on the market do not have the function to filter PM2.5, so using this type of air purifier on smoggy days is completely ineffective. At the initial purchase, you should confirm whether PM2.5 and other indoor pollution parameters are within the filtration range, and familiarize yourself with the power and purification effects, comparing multiple products to avoid the wrong purchase.

Misconception 2: Needing monitoring before treatment

Currently, many people use air purifiers based on feeling, such as vision (seeing smog outdoors), smell (smelling irritating odors), or physical sensation (frequent dizziness or chest tightness indoors). But is it mist or haze outdoors? No one knows if it's truly caused by indoor air pollution because there is no data to view. Therefore, installing air monitoring equipment indoors is a new trend.

Misconception 3: Closing windows before use to reduce filter pressure

Windows must be closed before using an air purifier, because air purifiers are only effective in a relatively closed space; otherwise, outdoor air continuously enters, and the air purifier will have no effect even at maximum power, and it will instead quickly consume the filter life.

Misconception 4: Paying attention to the effective range of the air purifier

The typical effective indoor purification range of an air purifier is 15㎡ to 20㎡, but ranges vary slightly depending on the power of the machine produced by different manufacturers. Therefore, when the indoor area is large, it is necessary to consider increasing the number of air purifiers.

Misconception 5: Opening windows for ventilation if CO2 levels are too high

Using an air purifier with closed windows for a long time usually results in less indoor oxygen and increased carbon dioxide. If the air monitoring instrument warns that the CO2 value exceeds the standard, it is recommended to open windows for ventilation for a period to avoid physical discomfort caused by high CO2.

Misconception 6: Referring to air monitoring values to clarify purification efficiency and master filter replacement timing

The treatment effect of the air purifier can be intuitively seen through air monitoring instruments. When the treatment effect drops significantly, it may be caused by filter saturation, and you can try replacing it. Of course, general filters have a service cycle of about one year, but the final replacement should be based on actual treatment results.

Misconception 7: Switching the air purifier on and off based on air monitoring values

Before switching the air purifier, check the values on the indoor air monitoring instrument; if the values show they are within the healthy range, there is no need to turn it on. Especially at night, the noise generated by the air purifier can affect sleep.

In conclusion, an air purifier is an excellent means for small-scale indoor air treatment. It has many advantages such as timely treatment, low cost, and high flexibility. If used in conjunction with indoor air quality monitoring instruments, the effect is undoubtedly better. With both monitoring and treatment, and real-time mastery of indoor air quality data, there is no need to worry about the hazards brought by pollution.