Ozone

Ozone can damage the lungs, causing chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. It can also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections—even in healthy people. People who have asthma and allergy are most prone to the adverse effects of high levels of ozone.^[19] For example, increasing ozone concentrations to unsafe levels can increase the risk of asthma attacks.

consumer concerns

consumer concerns[edit]

Other aspects of air cleaners are hazardous gaseous by-products, noise level, frequency of filter replacement, electrical consumption, and visual appeal. Ozone production is typical for air ionizing purifiers. Although high concentration of ozone is dangerous, most air ionizers produce low amounts (<0.05> ppm). The noise level of a purifier can be obtained through a customer service department and is usually reported in decibels (dB). The noise levels for most purifiers are low compared to many other home appliances.^{[citation needed]}Frequency of filter replacement and electrical consumption are the major operation costs for any purifier. There are many types of filters; some can be cleaned by water, by hand or by vacuum cleaner, while others need to be replaced every few months or years. In the United States, some purifiers are certified as Energy Star and are energy efficient.

Polarized-Media Electronic Air Cleaners

• Polarized-Media Electronic Air Cleaners use an active electronically-enhanced media to combine elements of both electronic air cleaners and passive mechanical filters. Most Polarized-Media Electronic Air Cleaners convert 24 volt current to safe DC voltage to establish the polarized electric field. Airborne particles become polarized as they pass through the electric field and adhere to a disposable fiber media pad. Ultra-fine particles (UFPs) that are not collected on their initial pass through the media pad are polarized and agglomerate to other particles, odor and VOC molecules and are collected on subsequent passes. The efficiency of Polarized-Media Electronic Air Cleaners increases as they load, providing high efficiency filtration with air resistance typically equal to or less than passive filters. Polarized-media technology is non-ionizing which means no ozone is produced.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation

• Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation - UVGI can be used to sterilize air that passes UV lamps via forced air. Air purification UVGI systems can be freestanding units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves micro-organisms past the lamps. Key to this form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead micro-organisms. For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp placed at the coils and drainpan of cooling system will keep micro-organisms from forming in these naturally damp places. The most effective method for treating the air rather than the coils is in-line duct systems, these systems are placed in the center of the duct and parallel to the air flow.

Thermodynamic sterilization (TSS)

• Thermodynamic sterilization (TSS) - This technology uses heat sterilization via a ceramic core with micro capillaries, which are heated to 200 °C (392 °F). It is claimed that 99.9% of microbiological particles - bacteria, viruses, dust mite allergens, mold and fungus spores - are incinerated.^[3] The air passes through the ceramic core by the natural process of air convection, and is then cooled using heat transfer plates and released. TSS is not a filtering technology, as it does not trap or remove particles.^[4] TSS is claimed not to emit harmful by-products (although the byproducts of partial thermal decomposition are not addressed) and also reduces the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere.^[5]

Insulation

Insulation

A well-insulated home will retain heat in winter and keep heat out in summer. Ceiling insulation is particularly important to keep the hot sun from overheating your home - and painting your roof a light colour will reflect sunlight, meaning that less heat penetrates through the ceiling.

Don’t forget your windows when you think about insulation.  Double glazing, low emissivity glass and tinted glass all help keep the heat out as well as keeping the warmth in.

See Insulation and Glazing for more.

Adjustable shading options

Adjustable shading options

Adjustable shading provides flexibility. It can be especially useful where you need to deal with low-angle morning or evening sun.

External shading options stop the sun getting to your windows at all - these will keep your home cooler, but thick thermal-lined curtains can still be effective, especially with a window open to let the heat back out.

Adjustable shading options include:

• manually-adjustable louvres
• shutters
• thick thermal-lined curtains
• sliding screens
• retractable awnings and sails
• removable shades that can be taken down at the end of summer.

Adjustable shading may be combined with fixed eaves or pergolas to provide deep shade in summer, but allow winter sun into these areas.

Actively adjust your shading to keep your home cool. For example, if you have curtains:

• adjust east-facing curtains to keep out all morning sun but open them in the afternoon to let in some light
• close west-facing curtains and blinds to keep out hot afternoon sun
• if you'll be out all day in summer, leave the curtains closed.