Salt Lamps: Do They Really Count as an Air Purification Tool?

Salt Lamps: Do They Really Count as an Air Purification Tool?Himalayan pink salt lamps are all the rage right now. It’s said that they can actually filter contaminants from the air around them, making it more breathable. But are salt lamps really the most effective method of air purification for your home? Let’s take a look.

Salt and Air Ionization

The theory is that a salt lamp attracts moisture from the air, in the form of tiny water droplets. Those droplets contain dust, pet dander, and other debris from the air. The droplets adhere to the lamp, making the air cleaner.

However, in order to do that, the lamp would have to ionize the air first: give the air molecules around it a negative electrical charge, which would then attract them to the lamp’s own positive charge. There’s no hard evidence that salt lamps can do this. In fact, salt is naturally a balanced chemical, with no charge at all.

Even if salt lamps could ionize the air, they have a relatively small surface area. The moisture would quickly saturate them, limiting the amount of contaminants they could actually remove. Some think that perhaps in areas with extreme summer temperatures, the heat could dry out the lamp. But even Yuma’s temperatures wouldn’t be enough to keep a salt lamp dry enough to be effective.

Other Air Purification Methods

If you want to eliminate contaminants from your air, there are better ways to do it. An electronic air ionizer actually can give your air particles an electric charge, more effectively than a salt lamp, and attract contaminants out of the air. You might also try a UV purification system, which kills mold, bacteria, and other biological contaminants in your air.

One of the most effective methods is to invest in a dedicated air purifier with a HEPA filter. Designed to capture particles  much smaller than what your HVAC system’s filter can handle, they can remove everything from cigarette smoke to viruses and bacteria, and more, so you can breathe easy.

To learn about other air purification methods, contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company today. We proudly serve Yuma’s HVAC needs.