Choosing an air purifier requires more than comparing brands or product features. Different air purification technologies work in different ways, and some may remove only part of the problem while producing unwanted byproducts.
The attached Austin Air technology comparison reviews the most common residential air purification methods based on findings presented in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency technical review.
The guide compares technologies including:
- Medical-grade HEPA filtration
- Activated carbon and sorbent media
- Electrostatic precipitators
- Ionizers
- UV and UVGI systems
- Photocatalytic oxidation
- Plasma technology
It also explains why fine particles such as PM2.5 require mechanical HEPA filtration, while gases, VOCs and odors require sorbent materials such as activated carbon and zeolite.
View the Air Purification Technology Comparison
Use the document below to compare the effectiveness, limitations and possible byproducts of the different air purification technologies.
The Austin Air Approach
Austin Air purifiers combine medical-grade HEPA filtration with activated carbon and zeolite. This combination is designed to capture fine and ultrafine particles while also adsorbing gases, VOCs and odors, without intentionally adding ozone or other reactive substances to the indoor air.
For the full comparison, supporting explanations and references, view the complete document above.