An air purifier takes the air from your home through different filters to get rid of dust, pollen, and bacteria. So, the primary purpose of an air purifier is to improve air quality and prevent respiratory problems. Nonetheless, people have asked why their Shark Air Purifier always read 100%.
Most air purifiers have an air quality monitor that alerts you to any changes in air quality. The numbers represent the air’s health; thus, your air quality is excellent if your air purifier displays 100%. However, as you introduce contaminants into your home, the air quality will fluctuate.
Read on as I discuss air quality displays and how they work. There are also frequently asked questions outlined to satisfy your curiosity.
What is an Air Quality Monitor?
An air quality monitor is a device that measures the amount of particulate matter in the air around it. This device always has a sensor that reports on the air quality in your house. However, the sensor meters determine the level of each form of particulate.
There are different sensors depending on the type of device. But they usually have a way to measure things like temperature and humidity. These devices can let you know when things start to go wrong because they constantly report on the air quality.
Types of Air Quality Sensors
To better understand how air purifiers monitor air quality, it is essential to know the types of air quality sensors. There are different air quality sensors, but they are into two groups. These groups are gas and particulate matter sensors.
Gas Sensors
Gas sensors measure the concentration of different gases in the air, and we can find separate sensors are usually found for different types of dangerous gas. Some of the gases measured are Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, and Carbon Monoxide.
Particulate Matter Sensors
PM sensors look at the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the air. PM2.5 refers to particles with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 microns. Dust, pollen, and mold are things in the air that can be dangerous.
How Effective are Air Quality Sensors?
A standalone air sensor is more effective than an air purifier’s standard built-in air sensor. In addition, a standalone air sensor is the same price as a low-cost air purifier. However, the technology employed in these sensors, the type of sensors used, and the display manner all play a role.
A separate air sensor isn’t necessary, but it can be an excellent way to see how well an air purifier gets rid of pollutants. This is because an air purifier’s sensor only looks at the air right next to it. So, you can put an air sensor on the other side of the room from your air purifier.
What Do the Numbers Mean on an Air Purifier?
CADR is a number that shows how much filtered air an air purifier sends out. It also affects how well an air cleaner can get rid of tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. The more tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust there is, the faster the air purifier works.
Why Does My Shark Air Purifier Always Say 100%?
If your air purifier’s display says 100%, your air is clean. However, the air quality in your home will change as you bring in more pollutants. Smoking, cooking, dusting, or spraying cleaning products can add more pollutants to the air in your home. To measure how clean your air is, you look at how much particulate matter is in it.
The amount of particle matter in your air determines air quality. As a result, the Shark air purifier monitors this fluctuation in real-time and notifies you when air quality reduces.
What Setting Should My Shark Air Purifier Be?
Shark air purifiers should be set to their highest “quiet” level, usually medium. In this case, quiet means less than 50 decibels, though the medium setting on many machines creates much less noise in the low 40s.
Benefits of Air Quality Sensors in an Air Purifier
- There is an automatic mode that allows the air purifier to change its settings based on the quality of the air. Taking these steps helps you get the most out of your air purifier in terms of minimal power consumption. In this way, you could say that an air quality sensor is a great way to save money.
- Air quality sensors show you which direction you are moving in when having clean air in your home or office. If your air quality keeps getting worse or isn’t getting better, it will be easier for you to find and test possible sources. Then, you try to change one thing and see if it changes the air quality sensor readings.
- Lastly, they also show you how the air in your room has changed over time. Even a simple color display can help you get a general idea of how dirty your air is. Because these sensors work in real-time, you can also see the improvement in your air quality.
Air Purifier Readings and What They Mean
Humidity
This is the ratio of how much water is in the air to how much vapor the air could contain. It’s usually expressed as a percentage. Low humidity can cause skin and lung difficulties, while high humidity can encourage wet growth.
Temperature
The temperature, a measure of comfort, can also affect your health. High temperatures can make people tired, while low temperatures hurt asthmatic patients. So, it’s best to keep the temperature at a moderate rate.
Harmful Elements in the Environment
Particulate Matter
Particulate Matter is tiny particles in the air. It’s usually broken down into particle sizes. PM10 particles can cause breathing issues when inhaled into the lungs. PM2.5 particles are tiny and can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing discomfort and breathing difficulties.
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds are harmful vapors that can cause breathing issues when released into the air. Some cleaning chemicals include VOCs. But they can also be emitted through furniture, old furniture.
However, higher temperatures and humidity are more likely to produce VOCs.
CO2
People exhale carbon dioxide, which comes from the air we breathe. CO2 can build up in residences with closed windows and poor ventilation.
It can make you tired, unable to focus, have headaches, and feel dizzy, among other things. So opening a window to let some fresh air in can help.
NO2
Because diesel cars are the primary source of nitrogen dioxide, you’ll have it in your home if you live near a road. This gas can irritate the lungs’ lining, resulting in shortness of breath.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic compound you’ll find in furniture or paints. Low dosages can irritate the nose, skin, throat, and eyes. Also, it can cause cancer if there are higher doses in your body system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate Auto Mode?
Press Auto on the top control panel or use a remote control to turn on Auto mode. You will notice that the AUTO button is brighter when you choose this option.
Why is my air quality never at 100%?
Make sure you correctly insert the filter without its original plastic wrapping. You should also change the filter every 6 to 12 months. However, you might need to change it more frequently, depending on the number of particles in the air.
Why does my air quality reduce when I’m doing nothing?
The air quality might fluctuate for several causes. It measures small particle matter in the air and displays the resulting air quality. Everyday activities can stir particles into the air, such as settled dust, lowering air quality.
Which air purifiers are harmful?
If you’re looking for an air cleaner for your home, you shouldn’t employ an intentional ozone generator. If any air purifier produces a significant amount of ozone, this might damage the user’s health because ozone is deadly to the lungs.
How much noise does an air purifier produce?
They make a lot of noise when running at more incredible speeds, and they are much quieter when running at lower speeds. It varies, though, depending on the manufacturer and model. However, you can adjust the fan speed of an air purifier in several ways.
What should I consider before buying an air purifier for an allergy?
If you suffer from allergies, you should have at least three air changes per hour in your room. Also, pay attention to the noise level since you may need to leave the air purifier running overnight. The air quality sensor should be in good working order to ensure smooth functioning.
What should I consider before buying an air purifier for VOCs?
A thicker layer of activated carbon filters will absorb volatile organic compounds. The employment of plasma waves or ultraviolet lamps can also be beneficial in removing gases. You can choose one of these filters in conjunction with the following filter combination to increase its effectiveness.
How do I know if my air purifier is working?
Most air purifiers have a built-in particle sensor that checks the indoor air quality all the time. Daily, it is essential to clean the particle sensors to work well. Air quality sensors check the quality of the air inside your home.