Cigarette smoke harms not only smokers, but also people who are near them or in a smoky room. It contains toxins, harmful resins that adversely affect health. Smoke enters the room even during airing, when they smoke on the next balcony or loggia. An air purifier from tobacco smoke can neutralize most of the harmful substances and significantly reduce the likelihood of consequences.
Varieties of models of air purifiers from tobacco smoke
Air purifiers are divided at the place of use into domestic and industrial. The main difference between them is power, performance. The first are designed for installation to remove smoke, smell of tobacco, cleaning and ionizing the air in apartments. Most models have an attractive stylish design and fit into a modern interior. Separate devices work like air washes and contribute not only to the removal of unpleasant odors, but also to an increase in humidity.
Industrial hoods for smoking are installed in smoking rooms. They prevent the formation of a persistent odor, the absorption of tobacco smoke in furniture and finishes. Instantly remove the smell from the room.
Types of cleaning
Air purifiers remove the smell of tobacco smoke in two ways: using a HEPA filter and electrostatic cleaning. The first option allows you to eliminate up to 95% of tobacco smoke and other unpleasant odors that appear, for example, in the toilet. Air passes through such a barrier several times, which results in fine filtering.
Despite the fact that the HEPA barrier effectively cleans the air of tobacco smoke, it has an important drawback. This type of filter is quickly clogged and cannot be cleaned. If the device is used constantly, after 2-3 months the filter needs to be changed. With less intensive use - after 5-6 months. The procedure is simple, but the filter is not cheap.
The electrostatic cleaning method is based on the action of charged particles. Electrostatic cleaning is carried out only by cleaners with an ionization function. Air passes through positively charged electrodes and tobacco smoke particles accumulate on the surface of the filter. This method is more productive and consumables last longer.
Several types of filters can be combined in one air purifier.
The composition of the filters for air purification from tobacco smoke
The efficiency of the air purifier may vary. It depends on the materials used for the production of filters, and filtering technology. To choose an air purifier from tobacco smoke for an apartment will help detailed information on the principles of operation of various types of filters.
The simplest type of filter is mesh membrane. It plays the role of a prefilter and traps large particles, protecting the main filtration system from premature contamination. Such mechanical absorbers cannot clean the air of tobacco smoke if used separately. As a mechanical filter, fabric, mesh or foam is used.
Electrostatic filter It has high performance and copes with tobacco smoke, traps fine dust, removes phenolic resins, viruses, pesticides from the air, and disinfects the air. During operation of the device, air passing through a special chamber equipped with positively charged electrodes is cleaned.Harmful substances become positively charged and are attracted by plates with a negative charge. The advantages of electrostatic devices include: low power consumption - not more than 50 W, quiet operation and a beneficial effect on health and performance. An electrostatic filter captures particles smaller than 1 micron, but not more than 90% of dust. Preferred are models with air ozonation function. The appliance plates should be cleaned once a week with water and soap. Allowed up to 250 cleaning cycles of the device.
Carbon filters used in household air purifiers. They perfectly filter tobacco smoke and unpleasant odors, but they do not eliminate carbon monoxide. If at first the carbon filter behaves best, then as the contaminants accumulate in the filter pores, they begin to be released into the air. Thus, self-cleaning of activated carbon is carried out. In view of this property, it is recommended to carefully monitor the degree of contamination of carbon filters. The need for replacement is indicated by the presence of an unpleasant odor in the air, despite the operation of the cleaner.
HEPA filter refers to mechanical. It absorbs the smallest pollution, including microparticles of tobacco smoke. The material from which the filter is made resembles cloth or cardboard and is processed with a special chemical composition that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. HEPA absorbers differ from each other in efficiency class. HEPA filters of class H11 are installed in household appliances. They let in less than 5% of pollutants and effectively remove bacteria and spores from the air. Devices with this type of filtration are recommended for use where young children with asthma and allergies live.
Photocatalytic filter works by UV rays from a UV lamp and a catalyst. Unlike other filters, this one does not trap particles of pollution and smoke, but breaks down the molecules of toxins to harmless substances: oxygen, water, carbon dioxide. This is the most effective absorber of all presented. It disinfects indoor air, completely killing bacteria, spores. The life of the photocatalytic filter is significant, it does not require special care, but its price is high.
Ultrasonic cleaner air cleans the air masses in the room from tobacco smell and moisturizes the air. Its design provides a hygrometer that allows you to control the humidity level in the room. Air is driven through the filter, under the influence of a high-frequency generator, water is broken into molecules and sprayed in the form of fog. This is also not the cheapest version of the device, but the quality of cleaning ultrasonic devices lose photocatalytic. In addition, you must constantly monitor the presence of water in the device.
Air washers work on the principle of aquafiltration. Air passes through the water filter. As a result, dust and smoke particles become heavy and are filtered out, dissolving in water. Consumables are not needed. The quality of air purification from tobacco smoke is not too high, but the sinks moisturize the air. There are models with preliminary ionization - more effective. Common disadvantages are the high cost and noise during operation due to the presence of mechanical elements.
The device, which will provide an acceptable quality of air purification from tobacco smoke, contains various types of filters in its design.
Principle of operation
The general principle of filtering with a purifier is as simple as possible: air is sucked into the device by a fan. Then, multi-stage cleaning is carried out due to the passage of air masses through the filter compartment. Purified air enters the room.Functional devices are additionally equipped with an ionizer and a humidifier.
The filtering process is divided into several stages:
- Preliminary cleaning. The largest particles are filtered out.
- Absorption. Mechanical potash and carbon filters are used that can neutralize tobacco smoke.
- Fine filtering. Absorbers are used that purify the air as much as possible, including the removal of bacteria and viruses.
A purifier correctly selected for its performance in one hour 2 or 3 times pumps through itself the entire volume of air in the room.
Advantages and disadvantages
Air purifiers from tobacco smoke remove harmful substances, and do not mask unpleasant odors with flavors. Their advantages:
- high-quality cleaning even with the constant presence of pollution sources;
- devices with additional functions refresh and moisturize the home atmosphere;
- low power consumption;
- silent operation.
Disadvantages:
- high cost of effective and powerful cleaners;
- the need to replace filters;
When choosing a photocatalytic cleaner, you should know that excessive disinfection weakens the immune system.
Popular manufacturers and best models
Among the well-known brands of manufacturers of air purifiers from cigarette smoke for the home, there are: Panasonic, Phillips, Aerotek, Timberk, Tefal, Xiaomi. The cost of quality cleaners starts at 10,000 rubles. The most popular models of the above brands:
- Philips ac4004 / 02. This model provides four-stage filtration. Air masses are cleaned not only of tobacco smoke, but also of dust, bacteria, fungal spores, odors. The peculiarity is self-cleaning lock, therefore, when the filter is dirty, the device does not throw toxins back.
- PANASONIC F-VXD50R-N. In addition to destroying bacteria, fungi and unpleasant odors, it saturates the air with moisture and negatively charged particles. Cleaning is carried out using a four-stage filter. The quality is acceptable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. There is practically no noise.
- Aerotek AVP-300. An expensive device, reliable and easy to manage. Six-step cleaning is carried out, as a result of which allergens, spores, bacteria, viruses, smoke particles, toxins are removed. In turbo mode, filtering is performed as quickly as possible. The device is quiet and mobile.
- Timberk TAP FL800 MF. A device with six-level cleaning, catches particles up to 0.3 microns. It is supplemented with flavoring, control sensor, timer, filter pollution indicator. A nice difference is the stylish design and relatively low price.
- Tefal PU 4025. It relates to air washers and has a capacity of up to 170 m3 / h. Advantages: profitability (consumes 30 W), several filtering modes, timer, delayed start, backlight.
- Xiaomi Mi AIR Purifier 2. The device with high efficiency and productivity - up to 400 m3 / h, but at the same time small dimensions. There is an indicator of dirty filters, a convenient control panel. The portable device practically does not make noise and looks stylish.
When choosing a mini hood for smokers, you need to pay attention to the class of the device, the principle of operation. Not all appliances can effectively neutralize tobacco smoke and other unpleasant odors. Preference should be given to cleaners with a combined multi-stage filtration system.
