Do you really need to splurge on a fancy air purifier to improve your indoor air quality?
Or will a fan next to a window get the job done?
How do find the right air purifier for your needs and your budget?
The GermGuardian Air Purifier is a recommended air purifier if you’re on a budget. It works best in small spaces. Chris Zuppa / The Penny Hoarder
Tom Piscitelli, vice president of distributed markets withSecureAire, acknowledges that manufacturer claims all look surprisingly similar.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Understanding a few key factors can help you separate the legitimate claims from the hype.
Did you know?
Youll also want to find out if the air purifier uses HEPA filtration.
That designation means the filter can captureup to 99.97% of particlesin the air.
Be aware that air purifiers that filter smoke may be a little more expensive than ones that dont.
Finally, choose a purifier for the right room size for you.
That said, dont go overboard in the other direction.
What If You Cant Afford an Air Purifier?
One option is to make your own air purifier.
Yes, this is something you’re free to actually do.
Tuijl recommends anyone interested in this route should get a $20 box fan and a 2020 furnace filter.
(Remember: the higher the MERV rating, the higher the filtration capacity of the filter.)
Its also possible you may not even need an air purifier.
You may just need to clean your furnace and air ducts more often.
As a home inspector, I have seen firsthand the poor air quality in many homes, Tuijl said.
Finally, there is one option that wont work: your oscillating fan.
A fan may cool you off during the warm months, but it wont clean the air.
Note: All prices are accurate as of Nov. 11, 2020.
The filter (about $35) should be cleaned every month and replaced every six months.
An indicator will let you know when the filter needs to be replaced.
Its easy to set up, and will even get rid of pet smells.
This comes with H13 medical-grade filters.
It removes volatile organic compounds, dust, mold, bacteria, smoke and other odors.
The filter should be changed every six to eight months.
Danielle Braff is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
