How to Buy a Used Air Purifier

Although buying a new air purifier guarantees that the motor, fan and filters have never come in contact with a specific allergen (for example, cat dander and hair), purifying the air with a used or refurbished air purifier is not impossible. Here's how to buy a used air purifier that will not only clean the air, but will also give you the most clean air for your dollar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Allergy reducing detergent
• Lint-free cloth
• New filters (optional)

1. Make a list of standard and special model features such as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) and activated carbon filtration, UV, multiple speed settings, easily replaceable low-cost filters, quiet fan setting or energy saving mode.

2. Check for refurbished models when shopping and make a list of models (new and refurbished) that fit your specific needs and the companies that produced them. Compare all model features against your list from Step 1.

3. Go to online auction or sales websites such as those in the Resources section to find refurbished and used models. It's unlikely that you will find refurbished models for sale on the websites of air purification companies, as most sell their products through certified dealers or retailers.

4. Follow the Consumer Search link in the Resources section. Read the Consumer Search reviews of various models to better understand model pros and cons, potential health hazards and to compare new model prices to the refurbished prices.

5. Call each manufacturing company to determine why they refurbished a particular model. You can also do a generic web search to determine if the air purifier model series had production line glitches or other electronic issues.

6. Buy your used air purifier in a retail store or online. Keep in mind that refurbished air purifiers sold through most large retail stores and authorized dealers should be clean and have new filters in sealed bags. However, refurbished (or used) purifiers sold through online auctions and other websites may not have new filters, and it's possible that the units will not be clean.

7. Disassemble and clean the used air purifier before using it. Open the housing, wipe down the inside of the purifier case, fan blades and motor assembly with a lint-free cloth and an allergy reducing detergent. Reassemble the unit and purchase new filters and it will be ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Never purchase "ozone" or "ionization" models or models that use metal plates to collect dirt, dust and other particulates from the air. Ozone in a confined space is a dangerous respiratory health hazard that also creates increased sensitivity and irritation in allergy and asthma sufferers. Although this type of purifier is sometimes used by professional restoration service providers and cleaners in severe indoor odor situations, it is not intended for use around people and is always removed from a building several hours before the building is made available again for human habitation.

Resources

• Compare air purifier prices and reviews at ConsumerSearch
• Buy used and refurbished air purifiers at Amazon.