Those who encounter dry air at home or at work may wonder how to use an air purifier with an air conditioner. This article will talk about that.
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Can I use an air purifier with an air conditioner?
Manufacturers allow the use of air purifiers in rooms with air conditioning. But it all depends on the functions of a particular type of purifier, its peculiarities of work.
Air purifiers are commonly used for the purpose of removing impurities that are present in the air. With their help, it is possible to remove pollutants, those that we breathe in daily.
The work of air conditioners also includes the removal of excess humidity and heat from the atmosphere. In other words, they help make your living more comfortable. Using both devices in tandem is possible, even necessary.
Regardless of the brand of equipment, you can use each device together with the other, or alternately. They will not “interfere” with the other device. Due to the fact that the rooms usually have dry air, air conditioners allow you to stop the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. At the same time, air purifiers ensure that the air conditioner delivers only purified air.
Note that by creating dry air conditions, air conditioners are also a driving force for the reproduction of dust mites and other allergens.
Using devices at the same time does not mean that their functions will overlap. Air purifiers do not have the goal of reducing humidity levels or high temperatures. Air conditioners are not capable of having an effect on cleaning the atmosphere, removing impurities from the air. Therefore, if you are thinking about what you are breathing at home or at work, it is best to install both an air conditioner and an air purifier. Together, they can create a great living environment.
Basic functions of air purifiers and air conditioners
To understand the workings of air conditioners and air purifiers, it is important to determine their basic functions. Let’s get into that.
The key function of an air purifier is called the removal of airborne particles and pollutants that can cause respiratory problems, hence numerous illnesses.
The air is cleaned of pollen, dust, pet dander, bacteria, mold spores, smoke, viruses, all kinds of odors.
The number of additional functions of the device is directly related to the type of air purifier: HEPA filter or ionizer.
Those cleaners, which have in its structure HEPA – filters, are able to pass the air in the room by passing it through a filtration system. This captures and collects the germs in the atmosphere and traps them inside the filter.
When the ionizer works, it releases negatively charged ions into the atmosphere, which absorb pollutant particles and “make” them increase in size and fall to the ground.
Some air purifiers also have a filter that is based on activated carbon. It is necessary for the purpose of removing unpleasant odors in the home.
The key parameter that affects the power consumption of the device is its power level. At the same time, there is no connection between the volume of filtered air and the size of the room.
In addition, when buying an air purifier, you should be guided by the place of its future placement. If you are going to buy a bulk device that is located on the floor, the object is capable of catching large particles of dust that do not manage to rise into the air and that usually settle at the bottom. That being said, be prepared for frequent filter changes in such cleaning systems, because it is the larger particles that can contaminate the air purifier’s filter more often and faster than anything else.
What is worth to keep in mind when buying air conditioner? The main task of air conditioner is cooling the room. These devices are needed to blast cold air and release it back into the room. Thus, the creation of comfortable conditions for life and work is provided.
Air coolers are made in three varieties: central air conditioning systems, portable devices, as well as units that are placed on the windows in homes and apartments. The choice in favor of one or another type of air conditioner depends on your goals and financial capabilities.
In particular, portable units as well as window-mounted air conditioners have front grills and filters that can draw in warm air from the room. This variety acts as excellent air conditioners that are suitable for a small room.
Central air conditioning systems are commonly placed on ceilings in larger buildings. Such filters allow to detain large particles in the air so that they do not get into the atmosphere. At the same time, the filters of such devices are not dense enough. Therefore, they cannot catch microscopic particles that even the cheapest versions of air purifiers can “catch”. As a result, the choice in favor of this or that kind of device, may depend on your preferences, as well as the goals that you are trying to achieve with their use. It is true that you should buy an air purifier or cooler carefully and consciously, so that you can buy an object of exceptional quality.
Does the air conditioner clean the air?
Note also that any air conditioner has the ability to purify the air. At the same time, this function acts as an additional.
Of course, air conditioners, even the biggest and most expensive ones, cannot fully substitute air-purifiers. Their main task is not air purification, but its cooling. Moreover, in such devices filters are usually installed, which are not able to catch small particles. Consequently, they also fail to clean the air properly.
What is better: an air purifier or an air conditioner?
As the necessity for installing an air purifier can be called:
- The need to ensure the availability of clean air in the room. This may be due to respiratory diseases (asthma, allergies) that you have been diagnosed with.
- The ability to reduce the concentration of dust, pollen and particles from pets living in your home or apartment.
- The desire to get rid of unpleasant indoor odors from cooking, smoke, and pets.
- The need to create a healthy environment for you and your family.
Air conditioning becomes the best option if you want:
- Have the ability to control the temperature in the room;
- Want to reduce the humidity level in your home;
- You are also diagnosed with a respiratory disease (asthma, COPD), which can worsen when exposed to high levels of humidity.
Both air conditioners and air purifiers are different devices with different designs and functions. They use different methods to clean the room, as well as the key result to be achieved when such a device is plugged in. Of course, the primary goal of air conditioners and air purifiers is to provide comfort and convenience to their owner.
Many manufacturers of modern air conditioners are trying to combine in one device the functions of both air purification and reduction of its temperature. At that they still have not achieved a good result, so such devices still have a high level of air pollution.
The choice in favor of an air conditioner or just an air purifier should not be an issue. If you have the financial ability as well as the goal to achieve high air quality in your apartment or home, it is best to install both an air conditioner and an air purifier. In this way, you can achieve excellent results by cleaning the air of germs as well as cooling it to the right temperature. If you don’t have the financial ability to install two devices, then choose the one that is needed first. For example, if you have a baby, it is best to buy an air purifier first. In case you live in a country with a hot climate, you should take care of the low temperatures in the room. In this case, it is best to initially take care of installing an air conditioner.
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