How to Choose an Air Purifier for Pet Urine Odor
No matter what you do, some household pets are just resistant to housebreaking. If your dog is having accidents around the house, the smell of urine will be evident. Even with diligent cleaning, the stench of pet urine can cause your otherwise clean and tidy home to smell like a kennel. Choosing the right air purifier to combat pet odor has numerous benefits. Not only can an air purifier tackle pet odors, it can also help bring you relief if you suffer from pet-related allergies, asthma or respiratory ailments. The quality of the air that you breathe can affect your overall health. Plus, having a home that smells like a kennel is unpleasant. Not all air purifiers are created equal, however, and can vary in price from $100 to more than $500. Choosing the right air purifier for your pet odor needs will require an investment of time because you have dozens of brands and hundreds of air purifiers to choose from.
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Instructions
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Research air purifier technology. Taking the time to research the technology will help you select the best purifier for your needs. For example, some air purifiers can work for a single room; others can do your entire house. You should select the purifier based on where the problem areas are. If your urine problem is in multiple areas of the home, you may find that a larger, more industrial model is more appropriate.
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Review the top brands. Look for a brand that has a hepa air filter. Hepa air filters are the most efficient air filters on the market. They were developed by the Atomic Energy Commission to remove radioactive dust from plants.
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Look for a brand with an ozone generator. Ozone is a powerfully reactive oxidant that effectively destroys odor-causing bacteria. The ozone will work to neutralize all odors, including pet urine odors and cigarette smoke. Although ozone can be effective in reducing odors, the smell of the ozone may be bothersome to some.
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Review price and replacement costs. When looking for an air purifier model, remember that price can be deceiving. Inexpensive air purifiers can be effective and some expensive air purifiers may not effectively tackle the odor. It is important to verify the replacement cost before purchasing the purifier; this will help you calculate the total lifetime cost. Carbon filer cartridges typically cost $30 to replace and UV lamps typically cost $20 or less and need to be replaced once every one to two years.
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Consider electricity consumption. Air purifiers can consume large amounts of power and can add $200 or more to your annual electricity bill. When reviewing air purifiers, make note of the wattage used. Any purifier that uses more than 100 watts will increase your energy consumption. Multi-Tech air purifiers use 40 watts of electricity and will result in an increase of just a few dollars per month in electricity consumption if the purifier is run continuously.
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Tips & Warnings
Air purification units with high wattage may result in large volumes of air to be blown through the unit but can also be extremely noisy.
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