Air Filtration For Birds---5 Features That Will Let Your Pets Breathe Easier

Air filtration in the bird room or aviary is one of the most important things to provide for pet birds. Here are 5 important features to look for to insure effectiveness.

Low Maintenance Pre-Filters---It's important to have a unit with these type of filters. They trap big particles that you can see and save the filter designed to remove finer particles from filling up needlessly.

It is important that these filters be low maintenance. Pass up the filters that have to be washed or sprayed periodically for several reasons. First, they require your time, and secondly they cause you to have to stop filtration for maintenance.

Stopping the filtration allows particle levels to rise. This causes the air quality to suffer not just for the time when the unit is off, but until the cleaner can return air quality to acceptable levels.

HEPA Filter---This type of technology is best at removing particles. In fact, it is what hospitals use to insure clean air. That is because it can remove airborne particulates that are as small as .3 microns in size, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.

For bird owners the benefit is that it can remove airborne feathers, dust, and dander. And it can also remove more normal indoor pollutants such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pollen, as well as bacteria and viruses.

The good news about this type of filtration is that it is safe for people and birds. It produces zero levels of ozone and no ionized particles, both of which remain controversial. The only by-product that this filter produces is fresh air.

Carbon Cloth---This is a dual purpose that is an excellent feature to have. Birds have always been and remain very susceptible to gases and odors. Because it is made of carbon, it is able to eliminate noxious gases, odors and chemicals from the air. Because it is woven as a cloth, it gives additional elimination of particles.

Originally created by the British Military as a response to chemical warfare it enables one cleaner to be effective at eliminating both gaseous and particulate pollutants.

Split Capacitor Motor---Regardless of how many bells and whistles a purifier may have, if it can't run continuously air quality cannot remain high which is a must if birds are to remain healthy in captivity.

This type of motor is a must. It is designed to run at high revolutions per minute safely and effectively. This means you never need to cut the unit off to let it rest. Instead it can run continually to keep pollutant levels low.

Long Life Filter---Avoid purifiers that need to have their filters replaced every 3 to 6 months or evenly yearly. This adds expense to running the unit and requires an interruption in filtration to replace the filters.

Instead, opt for a cleaner that has a canister that contains multiple sized filters rather than just one filter. A canister with a variety of filters will last far longer than one filter that is expected to handle every size pollutant.

Choose a cleaner that has a 5 year life that comes with a warranty. This will insure that you get your money's worth from the cleaner.