Are you looking for a way to improve your indoor air quality?
Are you considering getting an air purifier for the first time?
Or maybe you want to upgrade your current air purifier to a different model that has an ionizer function?
If you’re wondering any of those things, then you’re probably asking yourself, “Should I use an ionizer?”
If you’re unsure what you should do, then read on.
We put this post together to give you the insight you need on whether or not you should use an ionizer in your home.
Should I Use an Ionizer?
What is an Ionizer?
Before diving further into whether or not you should add an ionizer to your home, it’s beneficial if you know exactly what it is.
In essence, an ionizer is an air purifier that uses electrical charges to remove contaminants that are floating around in the air.
Ionizers are really good at removing common indoor air pollutants and getting rid of some odors.
But, the most attractive aspect of ionizers is that they have low maintenance costs.
Plus, they’re incredibly easy to use.
All you have to do to get clean air when using an ionizer is to switch the appliance on and let it run.
Ionizers Come in Two Types
In our guide on how does an air ionizer work, we explain that there are two ways in which these devices can clean the air:
- The ionizer can attract airborne contaminants to a set of charged plates, where they’ll be held until you clean off those plates.
- The ionizer will release negative ions into the air that weighs contaminants down and pull them out of the air. No particles are collected, but rather they stick to the walls or fall onto the ground.
From these descriptions, you can see that ionizers work differently than standard air purifiers, which use internal filters to remove impurities from your air.
However, ionizers are still a great option when it comes to making your air fresh and clean and improving the quality of your indoor air.
In fact, we recommend quite a few of them on our best ionizer air purifier reviews page.
There, you’ll find a list of the top ionizers on the market to improve the air quality in your home.
Now that you have a better idea of how an ionizer cleans the air in your home, let’s get to the heart of the question, “Should I use an ionizer?”
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get an Ionizer
Let’s start with reasons why you shouldn’t get an ionizer. Also known as the “cons”.
While ionizers are incredibly powerful and capable machines, there are some things they can’t clean in your home.
Here’s why you shouldn’t get an ionizer:
You Have Lots of Pet Dander and/or Dust
Pet dander and dust often come in large quantities, and using negative ions or electrostatic collection plates are not the most effective method when it comes to getting rid of those substances.
Since there are so many of those microscopic particles, it can be hard for an ionizer to remove them over long periods of time.
You Suffer from Severe Allergies or Asthma
As just mentioned, ionizers struggle to remove mass quantities of dust and pet dander from the air.
The same thing goes for airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores.
So, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, you want an air purifier that can clean the air optimally to help you feel better.
In this case, getting a standard air purifier that uses a True HEPA filter is your better option.
You’re Concerned About Ozone Output
There are some ionizers that produce trace amounts of ozone while they’re running.
Not only can this contribute to indoor air pollution, but it can also irritate your lungs and throat.
If you suffer from asthma, this can impact your ability to breathe.
Before buying an ionizer, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s specifications. This data will let you know if you need to worry about ozone output or not.
Not all ionizers emit ozone, and some that do only emit small traces of it, which don’t harm your health.
The goal is to get an ionizer that produces less than 0.05 ppm of ozone. So, just look for that specification.
Reasons Why You Should Get an Ionizer
We believe that knowing the pros and cons of ionizers is beneficial in helping you make the right decision.
Ionizers aren’t for everyone.
Although, we hope that our reasons for not getting an ionizer didn’t scare you away.
There are some really good reasons why you should get one, which are labeled as the “pros”.
These include the following:
You’re Looking for an Economical Air Purifier
Since most regular air purifiers require filters to keep them running optimally, you’ll have to replace these items every so often.
And depending on the type of air purifier you get, these filter changes can be expensive.
Ionizers, on the other hand, don’t need filters.
If you get an ionizer that uses charged plates, all you have to do to keep the unit running properly is clean the plates every so often.
Should the ionizer you choose emit negatively charged ions, there’s nothing you have to do at all to keep it maintained—and that can save you a lot in the long run.
Either model you choose, ionizers cost nothing to maintain after the initial purchase.
So, ionizers are a cheap and economical option for better indoor air quality.
You Want to Get Rid of Smoky Odors
As contaminants pass through the electrical fields of the ionizer, their structure gets changed.
This means that ionizers have the ability to get rid of smoky smells that might be lingering in your home.
Whether those smells are caused by a cooking accident or if you have a tobacco smoker in your house, adding an ionizer is a great way to get rid of the smell.
You’re Looking for a Quiet Device
Ionizers don’t have any fans or motors, so they don’t make any noise at all.
This makes them ideal for adding to your bedroom to clean the air while you sleep, or you can place them in your living room without any worries of the ionizer disturbing you while you watch your favorite show.
To Use or Not to Use an Ionizer
If you came here wondering, “Should I use an ionizer?” we hope this article gave you some insight into whether or not this is the right type of air purifier for you.
Depending on your wants and needs, an ionizer can be a great addition to your home.
As you discovered, ionizers are an economical choice, do a great job of removing impurities from the air, and cost nothing to maintain.
Should you decide you want to get an ionizer, the next step is finding the one that will work for you.
We can help with that as well.
Just head on over to our best ionizer air purifier reviews page to see what options you have to choose from.
