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How to best use air cleaners

Posted March. 31, 2018 07:31,   

Updated March. 31, 2018 07:31

한국어

Knowing the functions of an air cleaner properly enables you to more effectively cope with bothersome fine dust.

The air cleaner is comprised of three-stage filters. The pre-filter (ultrafine filter) is made of textile material designed to filter out dust from living and pet hair. The HEPA filter is designed to filter fine dust, ultrafine dust, dead tick bodies and tobacco smoke. The deodorizing filter removes smell including ammonia and acetaldehyde causing sick house syndrome.

The HEPA filters used in most air cleaners sold in Korea are categorized into H10–H13. The higher the number, the stronger its capacity to clean air is. Consumers are also advised to check filter replacement cycle and cost. The filter replacement cycle for air cleaners produced in Korea is generally one year, while a set of filters costs 45,000 won (42.3 U.S. dollars) to 60,000 won (56.4 dollars).

Air cleaning methods include ion type and filter type. As ion type is not capable of removing fine dust and harmful gas, consumers are advised to use a filter-type air cleaner to remove fine dust, which has become a huge problem lately.

When purchasing an air cleaner, you need to check the average size of indoor space that air cleaner can sufficiently clean. Given that the size of space in which an air-conditioner can clean air is generally less than 33 sq. meters, it is effective to install an air conditioner with air-cleaning function in the living room, while separately placing an air cleaner in each bed room. To serve the needs of consumers who wish to use “separately and together,” certain air cleaners can be disassembled and assembled according to its utility need and space where the air cleaner will be used.


Ji-Hyun Kim jhk85@donga.com