Air Sanitizer Vs Air Purifier – What’s the Real Difference?

There is a significant importance to maintaining a better indoor air quality because multiple respiratory tract diseases like asthma and multiple inflammations and allergies are caused due to poor air quality.

Furthermore, good indoor air quality can reduce your general well-being and cause you problems sleeping. Air sanitizers vs air purifiers are used to maintain the purest quality of air every time.

We shall now look at what these two have in common and the pros and cons of using each one of them compared to each other.

Air Sanitizer Vs Air Purifier – What are the basic differences?

The main difference between an air sanitizer vs air purifier is that an air sanitizer kills the bacteria and viruses in the air. Air Purifier is used to remove airborne pollutants like dust and pollen from the air.

The basic role of air sanitizers and purifiers is to clean up the air. However, there are some other differences too. The differences are in how they work; their function is the same but the method to perform that function is different.

Air sanitizers use the general principles of sanitization, such as UV light or ionization. Using this method can eliminate airborne contaminants and eliminate surface pollutants.

On the other hand, air purifiers follow some general filtering principles. Therefore, they only eliminate airborne contaminants.

Working of Air Purifier Vs UV Sanitizer

It is important to know the exact working principles of sanitizers and air purifiers. When we compare the exact working principles of the two, we can see the differences more clearly.

By utilizing air filters, air purifiers help in removing dust particles from the air. Common types of air filters are pre-filters, HEPA filters, and activated charcoal filters.

A pre filter traps larger airborne particulates like dirt, dust mites, and pollen while an activated carbon filter removes bad odors. HEPA filters are one of the most common and effective types of filters.

On the other hand, air sanitizers clean up the air by using UV light (ultraviolet light) that effectively destroys germs and neutralizes some chemicals.

In this way, sanitization can be done in small, standalone units or installed in place of air conditioning ducts to sanitize the air in the whole house.

Let’s take a look more specifically at the differences between each type of product.

HEPA Filters Vs Ionic Air Sanitizers

HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filters nano pollutants from the air. They are the most common filters and are used in various applications, from vacuum cleaners, HVAC systems, airplanes, cars, and more.

The HEPA air filters are popular for their high efficiency in trapping harmful air particles such as dust, mold spores, and dust mites. They are available in multiple types in which the most common and popular among them is the HEPA 13 air filter, capable of filtering out 99.95% of particulate matter.

However, you may also find air purifiers equipped with HEPA 14. These are the medical-grade air filters that are perfect for eliminating 99.9% of dangerous matter from the air.

Whereas Ionic air sanitizer machines that are also termed “ionic generators” perform air purifying by releasing charged particles in the air. The ions, once airborne, clean the air by:

Bonding with the opposite- Charged particle pollutants cause them to become heavy and fall on different surfaces of your home, including walls, carpets, floors, furniture, etc. It helps you easily clean all of them deeply.

You may also find filter-quipped ionic generators. These filters trap air contaminants such as bacteria and viruses once they bond strongly with the positive or negative ions.

Sterilizing the pollutants – Charged particles released by these units can oxidize and kill many organic pollutants in the air that can cause diseases. It includes bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Eliminating odors – Ions produce by UV air sanitizers are also effective in oxidizing and killing organic particles of the air causing unpleasant odors.

Advantages of Air Sanitizers

There are several benefits of using a UV air sanitizer:

Effective control of air pollutants – since they trap and kill all the harmful pollutants, they do an excellent job of keeping the air highly cleaned. For more efficient air purification, filters are also equipped with air sanitizers.

Prevention of diseases – As air sanitizers can destroy all the viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, they are also found effective in preventing various diseases.

Removal of unpleasant odors – works great on the smell-causing particles and neutralizes all the unpleasant odors with excellence, such as smoke, fumes, etc.

It provides relaxing sleep by improving the breathing air quality.

They don’t let airborne pollutants build up in the air and keep you more hygienic.

A common man easily affords most UV air cleaners, as they don’t require regular air filter replacements.

Advantages of Air Purifiers

There are also several benefits of air purifiers to produce clean air. Some of them are described below:

• It clears up harmful chemicals from indoor spaces to make the air clean.
• It can neutralize unpleasant smells, smoke, gases, and other toxic volatile organic compounds.
• It prevents airborne diseases by eliminating air pollutants.
• It improves health and sleeps quality.
• The filters are equipped with air sanitizers to make them more energy-efficient. Energy is only required to power up the fans.

Disadvantages of UV Air Sanitizers

On the other hand, despite their benefits, air sanitizers do come with some drawbacks, which include:

• Some UV air sanitizers can produce ozone gas either as being ‘ozone generators’ or release it as a by-product called ‘ionic generators.’ The gas is produced severe corrosion to organic matter. Once it happens, it can cause extensive damage to the respiratory system and other health problems.
• As they effectively trap the organic pollutants, some can’t clean up air contaminants properly.

Disadvantages of Air Purifiers

Are there any drawbacks to using an air purifier? Yes. Have a look at a few:

• The type of fan and quality of filters affects their performance (for drawing in air)
• Most types of air purifiers require continuous filter replacement which can be expensive.
• They don’t have a proper mechanism for filtering, trapping, and killing harmful air pollutants. Therefore, if the contaminants build up inside, the air cleaner can’t clean it properly.

Which is better air sanitizer or air purifier?

When it comes to improving air quality, both air Sanitizers and air purifiers effectively reduce indoor air pollution and improve its quality. However, sanitizers are better for killing viruses, bacteria, and mold, while air purifiers are best for reducing dust and pollen particles.

Should I close the door when using the air purifier?

An air purifier’s performance doesn’t affect by the open or closed door because an air purifier is used to clean the indoor air. However, you should close the door if you do not want to enter those contaminants again into the room. 

Conclusion

Most people get confused about an air sanitizer vs an air purifier, and we hope you have gotten a clear idea after going through our comparison. Undoubtedly, both products are great options for improving indoor air quality. You may choose one according to your requirements.