If you are in the market for an air cleaner, you have probably looked at air cleaner reviews to compare features such as cost, square footage, filter make-up and more. Wading through the information can sometimes be daunting as there are so many abbreviations and undefined terms leaving you unsure about what the real advantages are for any of the cleaners. Below are 5 of the most common terms found in air cleaner reviews; what they mean, and how they benefit you.
dB Decibels of Sound
A decibel is to sound as an inch is to size. Decibels are the units of measurement used for sound. Silence is measured at 0 dB, a whisper is measured at 15 dB, and conversation is measured at 60 dB. How much sound you want your air cleaner to emit is a personal preference. Some like a cleaner that gives off white noise, particularly in the bedroom, because for some it facilitates sleep. Others, prefer an almost silent cleaner. These ranges should help you determine how the air cleaner you choose will sound.
CFM Cubic Feet per Minute
Cubic feet per minute measures air flow, specifically how much air passes a stationary point every 60 seconds. The greater the air flow an air cleaner is able to produce, the more room air changes your cleaner is able to make, resulting in less pollutant build up.
AHAM Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
This organization verifies the testing results of home appliances such as refrigerators, room air conditioners, humidifiers and room air cleaners. As a member of this organization, a manufacturer has allowed their air cleaners to be tested by an independent third party laboratory to give the consumer an unbiased overview of product effectiveness.
CADR Clean Air Delivery Rate
If the manufacturer of your air cleaner is a member of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), The AHAM seal will appear on the back of the box and will always list three CADR numbers - one for tobacco smoke, one for pollen and one for dust. The CADR indicates volume of filtered air delivered by an air cleaner. The higher the tobacco smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the faster the unit filters the air, making them more effective in literally clearing the air.
CADR 2/3 Rule for Tobacco Smoke
According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate that is at 2/3 the size of your room. So a room measuring 120 square feet would require an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate of at least 80. Placing this cleaner in a smaller room would mean the air would be cleaned more often and faster.
Understanding these terms, and the benefits they afford you will help insure that you find the best air cleaner for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
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