One of the biggest lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is that ensuring clean air in residential and commercial spaces is paramount to reducing viruses and bacteria, especially for those with compromised immune systems. Clean air also improves productivity and performance, making a difference in schools and universities for students and teachers alike. A commercial air purifier is the best way to enhance air quality in offices and schools and provide a safe, healthy environment.
See Sylvane's Do Air Purifiers Really Work? What You Need to Know to learn more about air purifiers.
- The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
- What is Commercial Air Purifier Filtration?
- Key Features
- Best Commercial Air Purifiers for Classrooms, Offices, and More
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Air purifiers reduce the amount of pollutants and particles in the air, such as pet dander, pollen, dust, mold, and smoke. This makes breathing easier for asthma and allergy sufferers without further aggravating their symptoms. Poor air quality can also increase fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating.
Medical-grade air purifiers use better-than-HEPA filtration to remove finer particles and airborne viruses, helping to reduce the number of people who may be otherwise exposed to them. This helps prevent people from contracting the virus altogether, but if someone does become infected, an air purifier may lower the viral load in the environment, giving the immune system a better fighting chance against the virus.
Of course, viruses can also be spread in multiple ways (including via surfaces and human contact), so other precautions like washing hands are vital.
What is Commercial Air Purifier Filtration?
Most commercial air purifiers feature hospital-grade HEPA filters to trap even the tiniest airborne particles. Medical-grade HEPA filters are thicker, more substantial and trap more particles than standard HEPA filters. Some select heavy-duty air purifiers include UV light germ treatments and other filters to remove viruses and bacteria, making them the best purifiers for offices or schools.
Key Features
Medical-Grade Filtration
HEPA is the gold standard for residential air purifiers. It traps and removes up to 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns. Medical-grade HEPA filters beat that rate and easily remove allergens, bacteria, mold spores, and viruses from the air.
Reliable and Long-Lasting
Air purifiers used in office or school settings must withstand the test of time. Commercial-grade air purifiers are backed by extended warranties because they're designed with heavy-duty steel parts and simple controls that can withstand constant use.
Air Quality Sensing
Automatic air purification makes it even easier to maintain healthy environments. These models include air quality sensors that constantly test the air for dust and particles, automatically adjusting their speed based on the number of airborne particles.
Easy-to-Use Designs
Adjusting settings on an air purifier's complex control panel takes precious time away from a teacher during class. Commercial models come with straightforward, easy-to-use controls, and some include a remote for extra accessibility.
Portability
More air purification doesn't have to mean big and bulky exteriors. You may need air purification in different areas of the same building, like a dental office with multiple rooms. Lightweight and compact options are best, with bonus points for wheeled models.
Size Considerations
Air purifiers must filter the air in the room four times per hour to ensure the cleanest air possible. Based on this metric, Sylvane rates all available air purifiers so you can confidently purchase one rated for the right room size.
Noise Levels
When selecting an air purifier, especially for offices and classrooms, check the noise level to ensure it will not disrupt the environment with unnecessary background noise. This helps the concentration and focus of employees and students to work uninhibited by a noisy fan.
Best Commercial Air Purifiers for Classrooms, Offices, and More
Enviroklenz UV-C Air Purifier
This USA-made purifier has medical-grade filtration, large wheels, and a five-year warranty for peace of mind in classrooms, dental offices, and other light commercial areas.
- Pre-filter: A mineral pre-filter to catch VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and odors without creating ozone.
- UV-C Light: This extra layer kills bacteria, mold, and viruses on the HEPA filter.
- HEPA Filter: A medical-grade HEPA filter catches particles down to 0.3 microns in size at 99.97 percent efficiency. It also boasts 99.99 percent of microorganism removal.
Aeramax Pro Air Purifiers
The AeraMax PRO AM 3 PC Air Purifier, one of the models available in the AeraMax Pro Commercial Air Purifiers, provides one-of-a-kind air quality monitoring and reporting. These air purifiers are top-class for commercial settings like waiting rooms, bathrooms, and classrooms.
- PureView Particle Counter: This unique feature displays the VOC/odor level and the percentage of particles removed from the air.
- HEPA Filter: This removes up to 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns with an average 2-year lifespan.
- Carbon Filter and Pre-Filter: Captures odors and VOCs with a lifespan of about six months.
- Wall-Mount: For areas with limited floor space, you can put this air purifier on the wall with the included mounting template and installation instructions.
Austin Air Air Purifiers
Austin Air air purifiers are rated as the most trusted on the market. The HealthMate HEPA Air Purifier includes a medical-grade HEPA filter that removes up to 95 percent of pollutants down to 0.1 microns. It effectively removes airborne particles and viruses in government buildings, residences, and universities.
- Economical: Replace the filter every 5 years.
- 4-Stage Filtration: In addition to the HEPA layer, this system includes a prefilter, medium particle filter, and carbon blend filter.
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Smaller Option: For spaces up to 700 square feet, the Austin Air HealthMate Jr HEPA Air Purifier provides the same effective and reliable filtration.
Winix 5500-2 True HEPA Air Purifier
This budget-friendly option is popular for residences and small office spaces. It offers a touch control panel, auto mode, and air quality notifications based on current readings.
- PlasmaWave Technology: This patented technology forms Hydroxyls by creating and releasing thousands of positively and negatively charged ions that combine with the water vapor in the air. Then, these Hydroxyls go to work, instantly neutralizing airborne bacteria, viruses, odors, chemical vapors, and gases.
- HEPA Filter: Removes up to 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
- Quiet Operation: The maximum noise level reaches 54.8 dB, so it's never louder than a conversation.
Coway Airmega Pro X Large Space Air Purifier
Top rated by Consumer Reports, the Coway Airmega air purifier uses a dual motor design for maximum efficiency in delivering clean air in large open-concept spaces. It is Energy Star-rated and features an air quality indicator to monitor air pollution in real time.
- 2-in-1 Filter: A single filter contains HEPA and carbon layers to capture up to 99.7 percent of particles and remove odors, smoke, and VOCs from the air.
- Filter Cartridge: All filters are in a single cartridge for easy replacement.
- Hidden Mobility: Wheels and a hidden built-in handle make it easy to transport.
Still Have Questions?
If you have questions about which commercial air purifier is best for you, contact one of our product experts at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help ensure you, your employees, or your students breathe healthy air.
