How does an air purifier work?
Contrary to popular belief, the operation of an air purifier is not complicated. Some people compare its functioning to that of a vacuum cleaner, except that it removes pollutants from the air instead of the floor. This is a simplified description, so if you want to better understand how an air purifier protects your health, continue reading.
Air purifier construction – basic components
To understand how an air purifier works, it's worth taking a look under its hood. Here are the key components of our devices:
Motor with fan
The motor with a fan is an essential element for the air purifier's operation. Its task is to force air through the filters. Air drawn from the surroundings passes through the filters, where pollutants are trapped, and then the clean air returns outside the device.
The type of motor affects the air purifier's efficiency, energy consumption, and noise level. Klarta air purifiers use a modern NIDEC motor, which ensures efficient yet quiet operation with low power consumption.
Filtering system
The type of filters present in the air purifier determines which pollutants the device captures and with what efficiency. The filtering system in Klarta air purifiers consists of three elements. The air sequentially passes through:
- Pre-filter: Captures larger pollutants, mainly dust, fur, and hair.
- H13 filter: At this stage, the air is purified from suspended particles PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 (primary components of smog), plant and animal allergens, dust mites, and mold.
- Carbon filter: The activated carbon filter absorbs harmful gases such as formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. It also neutralizes unpleasant odors.
The last two elements, the H13 filter and the carbon filter, wear out and need replacement. The pre-filter in Klarta air purifiers does not require replacement, but the accumulated pollutants should be regularly removed with a soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner set to low power.
Plasma ionizer
In addition to filters, Klarta air purifiers feature an ION PlasmaAir plasma ionizer. It generates negative and positive ions, similar to those found in nature, with a large mass that translates into durability.
Plasma ionization not only refreshes the air but also aids in the purification process. Ions combine with water molecules, forming clusters. Clusters with opposite charges create hydroxyl radicals that adhere to the surface of pollutants (such as mold, bacteria, viruses). They then damage their proteins, neutralizing them.
Air purifier in practice
Air purifiers operate at several speeds, and the higher the speed, the higher the purification efficiency. Multiple speed settings allow the use of a speed that ensures efficiency appropriate to the current air quality while enabling the quietest operation possible.
The Klarta Forste air purifier offers 8 speeds, while the Klarta Stor offers 6. Both devices also provide three automatic modes.
Automatic mode – an invaluable aid in protecting against smog
Manually adjusting the filtration speed to the air quality can be cumbersome, so the ideal solution is the automatic mode. In this mode, the device adjusts the purification speed to the pollution levels.
This not only enhances user comfort but also ensures the air purifier reacts immediately to air quality deterioration, even before the user realizes the threat. The swift response results in quick air quality improvement, reducing exposure time to high smog levels.
Klarta air purifiers feature three automatic modes:
- Auto Turbo: Uses all available speeds. Recommended for smoggy days, as it utilizes the purifier's full capabilities for the fastest air quality improvement.
- Auto Normal: Limits speed choices to 6 of 8 (Klarta Forste) or 5 of 6 (Klarta Stor), excluding the highest speeds. This maintains good efficiency while significantly reducing maximum noise levels.
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Auto Sleep: Uses the first 3 speeds. Designed for nighttime use, it operates quietly while still reacting to changing air quality.
Pollution sensor
For automatic mode operation, the device must have a pollution sensor. Klarta Forste and Klarta Stor air purifiers use laser sensors for suspended particles PM2.5. These sensors provide accurate measurements of the main smog component and adjust settings in auto mode to the concentration of the most dangerous pollutants in the air.
In addition to the PM2.5 sensor, Klarta air purifiers have humidity and temperature sensors.
Air purifier control
The Klarta Stor air purifier can be controlled via a touch panel and a mobile app. The Klarta Forste offers an additional remote control option.
The app for controlling Klarta air purifiers is Smart Life – Smart Living. It provides extensive capabilities, including the creation of work rules. You can program the device to select a specific speed or one of the automatic modes depending on the time of day or air quality.
