What Certifications Should My Air Purifier Have?
A clean home is the dream of many people. Air purifiers are devices that filter out allergens and irritants from your indoor air. They do this by trapping them in their filters so they never make it to you, where they could cause allergic reactions or asthma flare-ups. All air purifiers must undergo a certification process to ensure that they are safe for human use and have safety standards for use in your home. At Hunter, we’re obsessed with clean, fresh air. We test, and test, and test, each air purifier so you can be confident your air is the cleanest it can be.
Certifications Your Air Purifier Must Have
What is CARB?
The California Air Resources Board (CARB or ARB) is the "clean air agency" in the government of California. Established in 1967 when then-governor Ronald Reagan signed the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the cabinet-level California Environmental Protection Agency.
The stated goals of CARB include attaining and maintaining healthy air quality; protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants; and providing innovative approaches for complying with air pollution rules and regulations. CARB has also been instrumental in driving innovation throughout the global automotive industry through its programs. At Hunter, we ensure all of our home air purification products meet or exceed CARB standards and are CARB certified.
Energy Star Certification
Energy Star certification ensures that a unit will deliver energy savings, low maintenance costs, and consistent performance. A manufacturer must meet stringent third-party testing to qualify for this designation. It also offers specific guidelines on product features such as fan speeds.
ETL - Electronic Safety Certification & UL - Underwriters Laboratories Certification
The ETL certification process tests products and determines whether or not they meet specific electrical standards that are generally considered standard for safety measures.
It is important to make sure that your air purifier has ETL certification. It ensures safety with your appliance and helps save money on electrical bills.
UL Certification is also essential for your air purifier. It ensures that your product has passed a particular set of standards to be safe and effective (like how long the filter can last). You want what you're breathing at home or work to be clean and healthy!
ARB California State Ozone-Free Certification
Most people are unaware of the certification required for an air purifier to be sold in each state. All 50 states agreed on the need to limit emissions from manufacturing and consumer products. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces that requirement designed
for everyone's benefit: the environment, human health, and even industry. If a product fails in any way to meet EPA standards or individual state law or regulation, it can't be sold in that state.
Air purifiers must be certified by an ARB-accredited third party, meaning a testing laboratory for the Air Resources Board (ARB), California's air pollution agency. The certification ensures the product meets or exceeds EPA standards and follows all of ARB requirements. This includes safety features like automatic shutoff when sensors detect the unit is tipping over or overheating. The certification also guarantees the product will work as promised, producing at least a certain amount of clean air each hour - measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). This ensures it can effectively purify all areas it's supposed to cover and meet your specific needs.
When shopping for an air purifier, the product must have the AHAM seal to ensure that the product has been tested to meet all standards of safety and effectiveness! Any of the other certifications mentioned above will be a bonus but are not essential.
Since 1886, John Hunter has continued to innovate new and smarter ways to clean, circulate and condition the air in your home. Please reach out to us with any questions about unit certifications! Find your air purification system at hunterpureair.com.