Air Treatment Buying Guide

What air treatment option is right for you?

To create the most comfortable home possible you need to consider the air you breathe; especially if you or loved ones have allergies, asthma or any other respiratory conditions. It’s not pleasant living with air that’s too damp, too dry or too dusty, or has unpleasant pet, cigarette smoke or cooking odours. You may already know your home air is too humid or too dry, but if not you can use a humidity gauge to determine which kind of air treatment you need to create a more comfortable home. This Air Treatment Buying Guide will make it easier to choose the right kind of air treatment for your home.

Humidifiers

Inject more moisture back into your home air
Ultrasonic models are the quietest with the finest mist so are the best for babies’ rooms
Humidifiers help dry your laundry so are great for use in apartments that don’t have a dryer
The finer the water droplets produced the easier they are to absorb
Prevent dry air that may lead to:
- Skin drying out and cracking
- Plants drying out
- An increased risk of contracting colds and the flu
- Existing respiratory conditions being triggered
Some models produce a:
- Cool mist that also keeps the room cool which makes them great for young families
- Hot mist models also heat the room so are good for use in cold climates

Air conditioners with built in purifiers

Some models are a combined air purifier and humidifier in one unit
Some air conditioners have a built-in dehumidifier and/or HEPA filter to capture allergens

Dehumidifiers

If you live in a place where the air is really humid, you have lots of window condensation or your house is quite damp, a dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air
When comparing different models look at the extraction rates – a higher rate means moisture is removed from the air faster
Once the water has been removed from the air, some models:
- Collect the water in a container you’ll need to empty on a regular basis
- Automatically drain the water by connecting to a hose

Air purifiers

Capture allergens and remove them from the air you breathe
When comparing different models look at the extraction rates – a higher rate means moisture is removed from the air faster
The filter traps dust, mites, bacteria, smoke, pollen and other airborne allergens
When comparing models look at their Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) – this tells you how fast it purifies the air
Most air purifiers have filters that need to be replaced

“A best-in-class air purifier can make a noticeable difference to your day-to-day home comfort, even while you’re asleep.” Scott Bazley, The Good Guys Buyer - Seasonal

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Choosing the right air treatment

Want to breathe easy all year round? Try an air treatment device.

Breville air treatment

Learn more about the Breville air purifier range available at The Good Guys.

The Refresha dehumidifier

Perfect for small spaces like closets and cupboards, the wireless Breville the Refresha Dehumidifier will keep mould, mildew and moisture away.

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Where & how will you be using it?

How big is the room you want to use it in? The bigger the room the more power and larger water tank capacity you’ll need
Do you want to be able to move it from room to room? If yes go for a portable model with wheels so it’s easy to move around
If you choose a model with a smaller tank size, you’ll have to refill or empty it more often
Do you want to use it at home or while travelling? A compact portable model is better for travel, whereas as wall mounted console model is obviously more suited to home use

What matters to you?

Think about which of the following features matter to you most:

Smart sensors: adjust the air treatment output to suit the room conditions for consistent air quality
Adjustable speeds: for greater control over your home air
Filter change alert: tells you when the filter needs to be replaced
Humidistat: can be set to automatically adjust and keep your room at the desired humidity
Timer: so it can be set to switch off after you’re asleep
Sleep mode: noise reduction technology that ensures it’s quiet during sleeping
Washable filters: saves on replacement filter costs
Remote control for complete home air quality convenience

Looking after your device

Read and follow all of the manufacturer’s care instructions
Make sure you empty your dehumidifier water collection tank on a regular basis
Make sure you check and change your filters as recommended by the manufacturer

Other considerations

If there are allergy sensitivities in your household also consider:

Filters – Most air treatment models require replacement filters so keep a couple on hand
Vacuums – While air treatment products capture allergens from the air, a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter captures allergens from the floor for an even healthier home
Washers/dryers – some laundry appliances have a HEPA filter that removes allergens

Discover popular air treatment brands

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Air treatment glossary

We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.

Activated Carbon Filter

A filter that uses activated carbon to absorb and remove odours, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.

Allergen

Any substance, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mould, that can cause allergic reactions when inhaled.

Auto Mode

A setting where the air purifier automatically adjusts its fan speed based on the air quality in the room.

Coil Cleaning

The process of cleaning the coils in air conditioning or heating units to maintain proper airflow and efficiency.

Contaminants

Substances in the air, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke, that can affect air quality.

HEPA Filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)

A type of filter that captures at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter, including dust, pollen, mould spores, and pet dander.

Ionizer (Air Ionizer)

A device that emits negatively charged ions to attract and neutralize airborne particles, helping to clean the air. However, ionizers can sometimes produce ozone, which can be harmful.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Tiny particles suspended in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke. PM2.5 refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns, while PM10 refers to particles smaller than 10 microns.

Pre-Filter

A filter used as the first layer of defence in an air purifier. It typically captures larger particles like dust and pet hair, prolonging the life of more expensive filters like HEPA filters.

UV-C Light

Ultraviolet light used to kill or deactivate bacteria, viruses, and mould spores in the air. It’s commonly found in air purifiers that include a UV light feature.

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Organic chemicals that can vaporize and enter the air, often emitted from household products like cleaning supplies, paints, or carpets. Some air purifiers are designed to filter VOCs using activated carbon.

Filter Life

The amount of time a filter remains effective before it needs to be replaced. Filter life depends on usage and air quality but generally ranges from 3 months to a year.

PM2.5

Fine particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and are harmful to health.

Fan Speed

The speed at which the fan in the air purifier operates, affecting the airflow rate and how quickly the air is cleaned.

Room Size

The size of the room or area that the air purifier is capable of cleaning effectively. Air purifiers are typically rated for specific room sizes (e.g., 200 sq. ft., 500 sq. ft.).

Noise Level

The amount of sound produced by an air purifier. It is usually measured in decibels (dB) and varies based on the fan speed and design of the unit.

Filter Replacement Indicator

A feature on some air purifiers that alerts the user when it’s time to replace or clean the filter.

Smart Air Purifier

An air purifier with Wi-Fi connectivity that allows users to control it remotely via a smartphone app or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)

A standard measurement that rates the effectiveness of an air purifier in removing specific pollutants (smoke, dust, pollen). A higher CADR means the air purifier is more efficient.

Air Quality Sensor

A sensor that detects the quality of air in real-time and adjusts the purifier’s settings accordingly.

Ozone Generator

A type of air purifier that intentionally produces ozone in an attempt to neutralize odours and pollutants, though this can be harmful to health if used improperly.

Energy Star

A certification that indicates the air purifier is energy-efficient and meets environmental standards.

Filter Type

Refers to the kind of filtration technology used in the air purifier, such as HEPA, activated carbon, or ionization.

FAQs

Do air purifiers remove dust?

All air purifiers are designed to remove contaminants from the air including dust. Those with a HEPA filter are especially efficient at removing dust and allergens like pollen and bacteria. However air purifiers cannot remove dust that has already settled on surfaces.

Can a humidifier help with a cough?

Yes, a humidifier can help with a cough by adding moisture to the air, soothing a dry throat and easing irritation. However it won't cure infections like colds or flu.

Does a dehumidifier cool a room?

As the moisture is removed from a room it can feel cooler and less sticky, but a dehumidifier cannot actually lower the room temperature like an air conditioner does.