If you often find chemical smells in your home, you may wonder: do air purifiers remove VOCs? While it’s commonly known that air purifiers work against dust and pet dander, did you know that they also help in reducing bad odor in the house? That includes chemical vapors, also known as VOCs or volatile organic compounds.
The problem with VOCs lurking around any indoor space is that they will result in respiratory problems later on when inhaled in large amounts. Since they are toxic to humans and pets, they will also affect our health negatively if we don’t do something about them.
While the use of household chemicals is inevitable, especially for doing chores, there is a way to lessen the bad effects of these harsh chemicals – to use an air purifier in your home (or office space).
Do air purifiers reduce VOCs?
Yes, air purifiers, a device to clean air in home, do reduce VOCs, but you have to know if they have the air filter to do so. Look for air purifiers that have an activated carbon filter, which reduces bad smells in the area, such as smoke and pet odor. This filter will help reduce VOC smells. Here are some great air purifiers that are ideal for removing VOCs:
1. NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier
The NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier is designed to remove VOCs thanks to its combination of filters, especially its HEPA carbon filter, which not only traps dust but also eliminates bad smells and chemicals. Another added feature is the ozone removal filter, which lessens harmful ozone gas in your indoor space.
Another filter worth mentioning in the unit is a bio-guard filter, which uses electrostatic precipitation to kill bacteria, viruses, and various other air pollutants that can make you sick. Last, but not least, it has a stainless steel pre-filter that is washable since it only catches pet hair, pollen, and larger particles that are around 0.5 microns and above.
Since it is a Wi-Fi-capable air purifier, it will be easy to operate whether you’re asleep, busy at work, or away from home. It has a sleep mode for a comfortable rest while it is also Energy Star certified for quality and eco-friendliness.
2. Medify Air MA-112 V2.0 Air Purifier
Made with a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter, the Medify Air MA-112 V2.0 Air Purifier has a cleaning area capacity of 2,400 to 3,700 square feet, making it ideal for large rooms. It has a 3-stage filter, which includes a carbon filter for odors and VOCs, as well as pre-filters.
Moreover, it has a touch screen panel that’s sleek and convenient to operate. Its ionizer is also optional and it has 4 fan speeds, a sleep mode, and a child lock feature to keep the settings intact when kids are around.
What we like about this air purifier is the dual air intake, which speeds up the purifying process. It also has a replacement filter indicator to eliminate the guesswork when maintaining your unit. As a CARB, ETL & Energy Star-certified unit, this air purifier is backed by a lifetime warranty upon USA registration.
3. Winix AM90 Wi-Fi Air Purifier
Featuring a 4-stage filtration system, the Winix AM90 Wi-Fi Air Purifier is yet another choice for people who want a home automation system unit due to its Alexa compatibility. It has an activated carbon filter that will eliminate VOCs alongside its powerful plasma wave technology for other odors.
Like many air purifiers, it has a pre-filter and a true HEPA filter. Ideal for rooms up to 360 square feet, this unit has a 65-watt consumption and is Energy Star-certified. With dual smart sensors and an automatic mode, it even has a sleep mode that dims the controls and lowers the fan speed to help you relax better.
4. KOIOS Large Room Air Purifier
As an air purifier for both home and office use, the KOIOS Large Room Air Purifier features multiple layers of filters, which includes an activated charcoal filter and a VOC absorber layer for such chemical smells.
Like many air purifiers, it has a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an optional UV sterilizer and negative ionizer. With a built-in AQ sensor to detect air quality changes, it has a 360-degree airflow design that will speed up the air purifying process.
How long does it take for VOCs to dissipate?
VOCs will dissipate depending on where they came from. If your VOCs come from household chemicals, such as paint and cleaners, it will take about 6 months or less. However, harsher chemicals that come from particleboard will take years to dissipate.
Why do VOCs rise at night?
VOC increase is usually attributed to CO2 problems from a water heater or furnace. Always check your sensor because carbon monoxide is a harmful and fatal fume that should be constantly monitored at home.
Another possibility is the lack of ventilation during nighttime since you usually close the doors and windows. This traps the VOCs inside your home, apartment, condo unit, or dorm.
How do you clean air out of VOCs?
Dusty air is one problem but chemical vapors are another. VOCs can be removed by the following:
- Use air purifiers with activated carbon filters
- Switch to natural household cleaners
- Go for dry cleaning (and use friendly cleaners)
- Choose your paint wisely
- Adding more ventilation
- Place indoor plants
- Don’t smoke inside the house
Keep in mind that VOCs and dust are both harmful to your health. Running the air purifier is already a good action but if combined with the other tips we mentioned above, you’ll smell less nauseating odors inside your home.
Conclusion
As a whole, VOCs are harmful to your health and that’s why an air purifier with a filter that will handle such harsh chemicals will help you out. As long as you find an air purifier with activated carbon that takes out such bad smells, it will purify your air not just by removing dust but also by eliminating toxic fumes in the air.
