When you’re looking for a way to protect your business from the impact of airborne threats (like COVID-19 and influenza) in your business or workplace, it’s hard to know what the best commercial air purifiers are and whether they will even be effective against the COVID virus or not.
To make your search a little easier, here are some of the most important things to look for in a commercial air purifier, what is available here in Australia, and how to find the best commercial air purification system for your business.
1. Look for an ACTIVE air purifier
If you’re not familiar with air purifiers you may not realise there is a difference in the technologies available – namely ACTIVE and PASSIVE air purification. So what’s the difference?
ACTIVE AIR PURIFICATION (The NEW Way)
Active air purifiers are a new revolutionary technology that creates air cleaning particles and distributes them into the air.
These air cleaners effectively “seek-and-destroy” airborne contaminants and inactivate them as soon as they are introduced into the air, as well as settling onto surfaces and disinfecting those too. This process is called Photohydroionization and is 100% safe and natural, mimicking the way nature purifies the air outdoors.
Active air purification is the most cutting-edge air purification technology available today, and significantly more effective than older technology, known as PASSIVE air purification.
PASSIVE AIR PURIFICATION (The OLD Way)
Passive air purification refers to the use of filters in air conditioning systems, which rely on the contaminated air being drawn through the air return and “purified” (e.g. with a HEPA filter or UV light) before being returned to the space.
Whilst filters and UV light technology is effective at inactivating contaminants, there are several disadvantages including:
- It relies on the contaminated air to be drawn through the AC system to be cleaned, meaning contaminants can linger in the air for a long time before being “purified”
- The air is only clean for a short time, before being potentially contaminated again when pushed back into the space
- It does not do anything for contaminated surfaces
- When compared to ACTIVE air purification systems, PASSIVE technologies are significantly less effective at minimising airborne contaminants in a space
Therefore, it is wise to make sure you are selecting a system with ACTIVE air purification technology, for maximum air purifying efficacy.
2. Review TESTING results to ensure it is effective against the highest threat contaminants (like COVID)
If you’re looking for commercial air purification, there’s a good chance you’re wanting your space to be protected against certain pathogens or contaminants which may have already had a negative impact on your business.
The most significant airborne threat right now is COVID-19, so you want to review how effective your system will be against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19), as well as other contaminants like common viruses, bacteria and mould spores.
Does the testing show how effective the air purifier is at eliminating the contaminant?
Does it say how long it takes before the pathogen is neutralised in a space?
Has it been scientifically tested and independently reviewed?
Because air purification is effectively invisible, you want to be sure you are investing in the right technology that will do the job effectively.
3. Confirm it is manufactured by a reputable brand, using quality parts
You want to be sure you are investing in quality technology manufactured by a reputable brand.
There are plenty of cheap-and-nasty copycat air purifiers out there, trying to capitalise on the world’s newly invigorated interest in air purification technology in the face of COVID.
Don’t get caught out wasting money on sub-par, underperforming systems from no-name brands without a track record of proven success.
4. Investigate the expected product life and maintenance requirements
So, you’ve found a commercial air purifier – but how long will it last? And what maintenance is required to ensure it continues to operate effectively in the long term?
If it relies on a filter, does the filter need regular cleaning or replacing?
If it has a UV bulb, how long before the bulb burns out and need replacement?
These are important considerations when choosing your commercial air purification system, as it may cost you less in the beginning, but far more in the long run.
5. Consider the installation and running costs
Does the commercial air purifier retrofit into your existing HVAC system, or does it require modifications to be installed?
How complicated (and therefore costly) will the air purifier installation be?
Is the air purifying system energy efficient?
How much is it likely to add to your energy bills?
Will the commercial air purification system add additional strain to your HVAC system, and therefore add to your operating costs?
Do your research and save yourself time, money and hassle
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right commercial air purifier for your office, school, warehouse, retail or other commercial space.
Our expert team are available to help you find the most suitable option for you and ensure you get the right system to achieve the results you need. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consult and quote.