Using an inexpensive filter unit to help clean up the air in your home can appear to be an economical solution to certain indoor air problems.
However, many indoor air situations are beyond the scope of this type of unit.
For example, if tobacco smoke is something that you have to deal with on a daily basis, then a filter type of air cleaner may be able to remove the smoke from the air but it would not be able to remove the odors.
A filter is designed to trap particulates in the air and prevent them from being re-introduced to the room.
The filter on an inexpensive air cleaner that is purchased from a discount store or a home center is likely to be a filter that would allow larger particles to escape through the filter medium.
This would make it less efficient and would be a disappointment, performance-wise.
Another factor to consider on any filter-type air cleaner is the cost of replacement filters.
An air cleaner that sells for $39.
99 may seem like a good deal, but a replacement filter for that machine may cost $9.
99 each.
If you are trying to remove heavy pollutants from the air such as tobacco smoke or cat dander, then filter replacement may be necessary once a month.
That adds up to nearly $120 a year for replacement filters for a $40 machine! In reality, what usually happens is that the filters don't get purchased for whatever reason and the machine struggles to pull air through a clogged filter.
Or you just decide to turn the unit off until you get back to the store for another filter.
Either way, you are back at square one with no way to clean your air.
Electricity costs are another factor to consider when buying one of these machines.
An inexpensive filter unit is likely to have an electric motor that is less efficient and costs more to run than a higher-priced unit.
While one machine will probably not bust your budget, several units could make a significant difference in your monthly usage of electricity.
All in all, inexpensive air cleaners can do a decent job of cleaning particles from the air in a confined area such as an office or bedroom.
However, they would not likely be the best choice for cleaning the indoor air in your entire home because of the lifetime costs of the unit.