One thing that spending more time at home during lockdown, breathing in the same stale air, not to mention the Australian bushfires of 2019/20, has brought front of mind is air quality. We’re very aware of what we’re filling our lungs with, and we want to ensure it’s the best it can be.
Which coincides perfectly with the latest offering from IKEA: a STARKVIND air purifier. Launching in Australia in early 2022, the item will come in two versions to meet different needs and tastes — a floor-standalone model and, creatively, a side table model.
“STARKVIND is a high-performing air purifier. When designing it, we also wanted it to have a modern design which can be adapted to changing lifestyles. People can choose based on their needs and preference.” says Henrik Telander, Product Owner at IKEA of Sweden.
The purifier can be used on its own or, when connected to the TRADFRI gateway, as a smart device that can be controlled and scheduled via the IKEA Home smart app. It has five different fan speeds and an auto-mode, which will see the purifier using its built-in air quality sensor and adjusting its fan speed based on the amount of PM2.5 in the air. If you’re not familiar with the term PM2.5, it’s a key indicator of air quality — PM stands for particulate matter and the 2.5 refers to size.
“For IKEA, the smart home is not about gadgets. It’s about making life and home better through combining our solid home furnishing knowledge with digital solutions and technology.” says Telander. “That’s why we explore the possibility of integrating the function of purifying air and technology to provide [a] good experience for customers at home.”
The purifier will use a three filter system to clean the air. Its pre-filter will capture big particles like hair and dust, while one of its other two filters will filter away approximately 99.5% of smaller airborne particles such as PM2.5 particles, dust, and pollen.
Its other filter — for gas cleaning — will absorb various gaseous pollutants like formaldehyde and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and reduce unpleasant odours from smoking and cooking. In other words, if you accidentally burn your toast and your purifier is on auto-mode, it’ll automatically kick into gear.
“Clean indoor air is an important factor for health,” says Telander. “We know that there is no single solution to solve indoor air pollution. We work long term for positive change, to enable people to purify the air in their home.”
A top-notch smart air purifier camouflaged as a side table — we wouldn’t expect any less from IKEA. Check your local IKEA for the exact dates of STARVKIND’s drop.
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