The Dangers of Mold and Why You Need an Air Purifier for Mold
It’s no surprise that mold can wreak real havoc on your health. Exposure to mold spores has been linked to a myriad of respiratory issues including asthma attacks, allergic reactions, sinus congestion, coughing, sore throat, and more. Mold exposure is especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems or existing respiratory conditions. Even those without sensitivities can develop problems after repeated exposure over time. So what can you do about it? And do air purifiers for mold even work?
The Financial Impact of Mold
In addition to health issues, mold can degrade materials in your home like drywall, wood, and fabric. Plus, mold remediation is extremely expensive, with an average total cost between $1,500-$6,000. The sooner you address your mold problem, the less damage it will cause. An air purifier is one of the most effective tools for capturing airborne mold spores before they cause issues.
How Do Air Purifiers for Mold Work?
Running an air purifier 24/7 can actually provide constant protection against mold growth. Using air purifiers for mold is practical because air purifiers contain filtration systems that trap particles as air circulates through the device. These particles can include mold spores, which typically range from 3 to 40 microns in size.
Air purifiers capture mold and other allergens using a few key filtration stages:
- Pre-Filter: Catches larger particles like hair, dust, and dander. This extends the life of subsequent filters.
- True HEPA Filter: HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters must remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size. This includes most mold spores. The tightly packed pleated filter traps particles as air passes through.
- Activated Carbon Filter: Adsorbs gases, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and odors that are byproducts of mold growth.
Regular filter replacement is crucial to maintaining maximum mold removal. Coway’s filters typically last from six months to a year depending on the model.
Top-Rated Air Purifiers for Eliminating Mold
If you have visible mold growth or musty odors in your home, an air purifier is an essential investment for the health of you and your home. When selecting an air purifier for mold removal, you’ll want to prioritize a few features:
True HEPA filter: As we mentioned above, a True HEPA filter is non-negotiable for capturing mold spores and other allergens. Models certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) undergo rigorous testing to verify medical-grade HEPA filtration.
Large room capacity: Depending on the size of your space, you may want to prioritize purchasing an air purifier that is appropriately sized for larger rooms. Mold often grows in basements, bathrooms, bedrooms and larger living spaces. Check out Coway’s range of air purifiers for large and extra-large spaces here.
High CADR rating: The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures the unit's filtration efficiency. Look for a high smoke/dust CADR, as mold spores fall into this particle range.
For Extra Large Spaces up to 4,253 sq ft
Airmega ProX: The revolutionary Coway Airmega ProX is a multifunctional unit featuring a four-stage filtration system with a washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and H13 true HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.01 microns. The Airmega ProX has intelligent sensors that monitor air quality and automatically adjust fan speeds for efficient purification. It operates quietly, down to 23 decibels on the lowest setting, and it covers up to 4,253 sq ft in 60 mins.. This air purifier is recommended by Consumer Reports and has built-in conveniences like a control lock and light sensor.
For Large Spaces up to 2,512 sq ft
Coway Airmega 400: This air purifier covers spaces up to 3,120 sq ft in 60 mins. It contains a pre-filter along with a Max2 Filter that combines an Activated Carbon Filter and Green True HEPA Filter for optimized capturing and deactivating of smaller particles. The MAX2 filter incorporates activated carbon for odor control.
For Medium Spaces up to 1,748 sq ft
Coway Airmega 300: With HyperCaptive® Air Filtration, this filter’s capture technology traps and deactivates an unprecedented 99.999% of particles down to 0.01 microns, which is smaller than most bacteria and viruses. It also leverages a Max2 filter for ultimate purification and can purify 2,512 square feet within 60 minutes. It earns stellar marks for reducing VOCs, smoke, dust, and odors.
For Small Spaces up to 1,034 sq ft
Coway Airmega 150: Coway's compact air purifier can purify up to 1,035 square feet in 60 minutes. Its powerful 3-stage filtration captures harmful bacteria, mold, dust, pollen and viruses. The intelligent auto mode adjusts speed based on air quality. Night mode provides ultra-quiet operation for bedrooms. An air quality indicator ring lets you monitor performance.
Special Features That Enhance Mold Removal
Some additional features help boost an air purifier's effectiveness when dealing with household mold:
Particle Sensors: Indoor air quality is crucial for maintaining a healthy living environment, as outdoor pollutants from sources like traffic and industry can mix with indoor contaminants from activities such as cooking, cleaning, and having pets.
Monitoring air quality in real-time using advanced sensors and apps provides valuable insights into potential threats. The Coway Airmega, equipped with the IoCare app, allows users to track indoor air quality, check filter status, receive outdoor air quality updates, and control the air purifier remotely. This proactive approach helps ensure clean and breathable air for oneself and loved ones.
App/Voice Control: Getting your Coway Airmega air purifier to work with Amazon Alexa is simple. Just make sure both devices are connected to WiFi, enable the Coway Smart Home skill in the Alexa app, and log in to verify your purifier. You can even give each Airmega a unique nickname to control multiple units using Alexa voice commands.
With simple voice controls like "Alexa, tell Airmega to turn on," you can start enjoying the convenience of managing your home's air quality hands-free. Voice assistants open up exciting possibilities for controlling smart home devices like air purifiers. Remotely adjust settings and monitor air quality levels when away from home.
Pre-Filter: Pre-filters serve as the initial line of defense in an air purification system, capturing larger particles such as dust, pet dander, and hair. They prevent these particles from entering the main filtration system, thereby extending the lifespan and effectiveness of subsequent filters, improving air quality, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing maintenance costs in the air purification system.
High Energy Efficiency Rating: Important for units to run continuously to prevent mold growth. Look for Energy Star-certified models like those from Coway.
Prevent Mold and Breathe Easier with a Coway Air Purifier
Air purifiers serve as the first line of defense when combatting household mold. Investing in a quality model sized appropriately for each problem area of your home goes a long way in protecting your family's health and improving respiratory symptoms. Be diligent about changing filters on schedule and using moisture control settings to inhibit mold growth. With a top-rated air purifier, you can rest easy breathing clean, filtered air free of airborne allergens.
Browse our range of air purifiers to fit any space. Keep your loved one and your home healthy with Cowaymega.
Sources:
EPA - Mold and Health.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
