PETALING JAYA: Demand for air purifiers is picking up as consumers look for ways to improve indoor air quality amid the haze.
A manager at an electrical appliance store in Kelana Jaya, who only wanted to be identified as Samantha, says she has sold about 40 air purifier units this month.
“We have two popular models priced between RM1,299 to RM1,599 and they were sold out in the first week. I’ve ordered additional stock as I believe more customers will be looking for it because of the haze,” she adds.
A sales assistant at another home appliance store in the same area said air purifier stocks were currently limited, with new supplies for some models not expected to arrive for another two to three weeks.
“Yes, we are seeing more customers coming to purchase air purifiers for the first time because of the haze. The priciest model is around RM4,700 and it’s sold out for this month,” she says, adding that the most affordable model is priced at around RM400.
For first-time buyers, she says most sales assistants typically ask about the size of the room where the air purifier will be placed.
“Most customers think one small air purifier is enough for the whole house. But we advise them to look at the CADR, which shows how much air the purifier can clean, and choose one that is suitable for the size of the room,” she says.
CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, is a measure developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in the 1980s to indicate how effectively an air purifier removes particles from the air in a room of a specific size.
What the experts say
When contacted, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Associate Professor of Air Quality Dr Samsuri Abdullah said air purifiers could help improve indoor air quality by reducing the amount of fine particles that enter homes during haze.
“Haze mainly refers to outdoor air quality, which is why we refer to the Air Pollutant Index. However, haze contains fine particles such as PM2.5, which can enter homes through windows, ventilation openings and doors.
“If you have the budget, an air purifier can help remove some of these particles and benefit respiratory health, especially during haze when we tend to keep our windows and doors closed,” he says.
Samsuri advises consumers to look at the filtration system when purchasing an air purifier for their home.
“For fine particles, one of the important specifications to look for is a HEPA filter, as it can help remove particles such as PM2.5 from the air during haze,” he adds.
According to the sales assistants met today, most air purifier models require the filter to be replaced every six months, at an additional cost of around RM100, depending on the model.
Some models come with an indicator that alerts users when the filter needs to be replaced, while those paired with a smart home app can also send reminders when it is time for a change.
“When you purchase an air purifier, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines. You should also monitor the outdoor air quality index and, when conditions are good, open your doors or windows slightly to allow some airflow,” says Samsuri.
Professor Dr Zailina Hashim of the Malaysian Environmental Health Practitioner Association Committee says consumers should not rely solely on an air purifier to maintain good indoor air quality.
“If you always leave your windows open or use a small air purifier in a large space such as the living room, it may not be as effective as you expect,” she says.
She also advises consumers to minimise other sources of indoor air pollution, such as cigarette smoke or incense, while ensuring the purifier is placed in an area where air can circulate freely.
"Instead of using one unit for an entire home, maybe they can place the device in the room where they spend the most time," says Prof Zailina.
