Worried about mold in your workspace or living space? You’re far from alone. Did you know that around50% of US households have mold issues?
Unfortunately, just because it’s common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry. Mold can pose serious health risks to you, your children, your guests, and your pets.
Luckily, there are options for reducing and preventing mold in your space. Let’s talk about using air purifiers to prevent mold and find the best models for your needs!
First, mold does not have seeds but rather spores. This is an important distinction because of the way they spread and reproduce. While seeds need to be transported and buried, spores are so light that they can travel through the air, which is why mold can grow on nearly any surface under the right conditions.
Once these spores latch on somewhere, all they need is the right combination of moisture and nutrients to grow. Once they penetrate that surface, it becomes a lot more challenging to combat the problem. You may not even realize it's happened until it's too late.
Consequently, prevention is the key to treating mold. Let's talk about the role air purifiers can play in that.
Since mold relies heavily on moisture, one thing homeowners or business owners do is use a dehumidifier. You can also fix leaks, clean up water spills when they happen, and try to reduce moisture in the air and on surfaces around your space.
However, that only addresses part of the problem. If you live in a humid area, there’s honestly no way to entirely rid your space of moisture. Therefore, you’ll need to attack mold from a different angle.
Therefore, an air purifier may be your best solution. Not only can it help reduce the necessary nutrients needed for mold growth, but it can also reduce the number of spores in the air.
Moreover, with the right HEPA air filter, some air purifiers can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles that are under 0.3 microns thick. The average mold spore is between 2 and 10 microns, so with the right HEPA filter, you can prevent mold from ever growing in your living space!
Now that you know what to look for, let’s discuss our options. Here are the best residential air purifiers for preventing, reducing, or addressing mold in your home.
TheP600+ TIO2 air purifier was specially designed to filter mold spores, germs, and chemicals. It starts with a washable prefilter and moves onto a whopping 18-pound carbon filter that absorbs moderate to heavy pollutants from smoke, chemicals, ammonia, pesticides, and other irritants.
From there, thetrue HEPA filter with titanium dioxide coating eliminates 99.97% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns in size, such as pollen, asbestos, lead particles, and mold spores. Finally, the germicidal UV lamp will destroy the DNA of any airborne viruses or bacteria, and severely damage any surviving mold spores in the air.
Overall, the P600+ is a great option for home mold reduction or prevention. At 560 cubic feet per minute (CFM), it can filter a larger room or basement’s air every half hour or so.
TheAirpura UV700 also uses UV light to kill germs and other airborne pathogens, along with a medical-grade true HEPA filter also capable of removing pathogens as small as 0.3 microns with the same efficiency as the P600+.
However, this one is slightly more powerful at 635 CFM. It’s also incredibly energy efficient with the UV light only requiring 18W and a noise level of just 30.2 dB on low.
Another model specially designed for mold and chemicals, theP600 TitanClean is nearly identical to the P600+ HEPA TIO2. They use the same pre-filter, 18-pound carbon filter, and UV lamp.
The primary difference is that the TitanClean uses a Super HEPA filter that is slightly more capable of removing ultra-fine particles in the air. Believe it or not, the HEPA filter can remove up to 99.99% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, which is perfect for serious mold conditions, heavy chemicals, and other major pathogens.
If you want a more affordable option with a high CFM (560) capable of two air exchanges in 2000 sq ft every hour, theC600 DLX is a great option. It uses a cleanable prefilter that you only need to replace once a year with regular use, followed by a 26-pound activated carbon filter that lasts for 24 months.
More importantly, the HEPA barrier traps the remaining particles of 1 micron with up to 95% efficiency. This is perfect for trapping mold spores, the smallest of which is around 2 microns.
If you’re trying to prevent mold in a larger workspace, warehouse, or commercial property, then you’ll need an air purifier with a little more power. Here are some of the best options!
With a remarkable 1650 CFM, theFlushMount2000D commercial air purifier is more than powerful enough to filter large spaces in mere minutes. The HEPA filter is efficient enough to get 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it more than capable of removing mold spores from the air. Anything it misses will be killed by the powerful UV lamp!
Designed for eating smoke, the CeilingMount2000 air purifier is a very affordable addition that’s perfect for existing HVAC systems. Like others, it can handle particles as small as 0.3 microns, but it won’t take up any extra space, as you’ll only need to install it into the ceiling.
With 1650 CFM and dual-speed air recycling power, theMaxMountXL air purifier is one of the strongest commercial-grade filters on the market. It uses a three-step filtering process, including a washable pre-filter, heavy-duty activated carbon filter, and a strong HEPA filter capable of trapping particles at 0.3 microns.
Also, the filters on this model can easily last for 12 to 24 months before they need replacing. While it isn’t the cheapest on the list to purchase, it can save you money in the long run, especially by reducing mold!
If you need more help with solvents or chemicals, theMaxMount 2000 is just as efficient as the XL for mold spores, but even more so for smaller particles like smoke, with 12 pre-filters, 6 carbon pads, and a HEPA filter.
Keep in mind, if you have a serious mold issue in the house, you will need to treat it with mold remediation. An air purifier alone cannot solve a serious mold problem.
However, winter is the easiest time to address a mold problem. Mold has a difficult time growing when it’s cold and dry, and keeping your air clean can go a long way.
Also, if it’s a localized or surface issue, you can even address it yourself. If you notice a localized mold issue, a solution of vinegar and water can go a long way. Put the equal-part solution into a spray bottle and spray any visible surface mold. Wipe it off with a rag until the surface appears clean.
From there, run a dehumidifier (in the warmer months) and your air purifier regularly in this area. This should be enough to prevent the mold from growing back again.
Whether you’re trying to keep your tobacco or your basement from growing mold, an air purifier can certainly go a long way. You just have to choose the right model for the size of your space, your budget, and your specific needs. Either way, you can try out your new system with easy returns if needed.
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