If you are going to invest in an air purifier, you want to get the best value for your money. But besides the purchase cost, you need to consider the cost of replacing the filter(s) and the cost of running the purifier. So how can you make the most of your air purifier? Following are 25 handy tips to help your purifier run more efficiently and longer.
25 Air Purifier Maintenance Tips
1. Choose the right air purifier. This seems obvious that you should choose a good air purifier. But it is important to consider how big an area you want to have purified. If you plan to keep it in the master bedroom, a small to medium room air purifier is a good choice. If you plan to keep it in an open family room and dining room area, then you will probably need a large room purifier. If you choose one for a small room, then place the purifier in a large one, it will have to work extra hard and will seem less efficient.
2. Consider the durability of the fan. The air purifier’s fan is what moves the air through the filters to remove particles. If you want to run the purifier all the time you would need a more durable fan than if you want to run it only when you are home or at night.
3. Consider the quality of the filter. If you want to have almost all the particles removed from your room, you will want a true HEPA filter and a multi stage system. If you need larger particles like dust or pet hair removed for example, then a HEPA like filter might be a good option. Do not expect the filter to do what it was not designed to do.
4. Leave on the purifier most of the time for consistent particle removal. Each time you turn off the air purifier, it has to work harder to purify the air when you turn it back on. Leaving it on low allows it to clean all the time.
5. Use it in one room or area of the home. If you move the purifier from room to room, it has to work twice as hard to purify the air when it gets moved to a new room. If you want to purify several rooms, it is a good idea to buy multiple air purifiers. Most users choose the bedroom so they can reduce allergy or asthma symptoms when they sleep.
6. Keep doors and windows closed so that the purified air stays purified. It may seem like a good idea to open a window to get fresh air but then the purifier has to filter all the incoming particles.
7. Fix leaks in windows, doors, basements, and roofs. Any incoming air can contain allergens, dirt, mold spores, etc… Fixing leaks reduces the work your air purifier has to do.
8. Get rid of clutter. Piles of things that sit around your room can hold dust, mold, mildew, etc… Removing unused items or storing them in less used areas can help the overall air quality in your home.
9. Don’t restrict airflow around the purifier. In order to work well, the air purifier has to move air. If it cannot move the air to force particles into the filter, the air will still hold the particles. You can clear the area around the purifier or place it where it can be most effective.
10. Point the air purifier to where you breath. You are probably buying an air purifier to improve the quality of the air you breathe. If the purifier is placed too low to the floor or too high, such as on a piece of furniture, it will not benefit you as much.
11. Replace the air filters when needed. Using a filter for longer than it is designed to will mean it can’t capture as many particles as before. While you might think you are saving money to make the air filter go a bit longer, you are actually putting strain on the purifier and reducing its effectiveness.
12. If possible, wash the filter plates or washable filters once a week. Check the manufacturer’s guide to make sure this is possible with your machine. Regularly cleaning the machine helps it to function better.
13. Make sure all filters are completely dry after washing. Wet filters can damage most air purifiers. Clean and dry air filters work best.
14. Do not wash HEPA or carbon filters. These type of filters can be damaged if washed. It is best to replace them. Again, check the manufacturer’s guide or online care suggestions to make sure you are caring for the machine the way it should be.
15. Do not use harsh household cleaners to clean your purifier. You should keep the machine clean but using harsh cleansers can either damage the machine or put harmful fumes into the air. A damp cloth or diluted mild soap should work just fine for cleaning.
16. Turn off the machine and unplug it to clean it. You may be tempted to wipe it down while it is still running but you run the risk of causing electrical problems or damaging the fan. It is safer for you and the machine to turn it off.
17. Clean your heater or air conditioner regularly. These units blow air around your home or apartment. If they are dirty, then your air purifier has to work extra hard every time the heater or air conditioner turns on. Change the filters, vacuum out the machine, and keep the vents clean as well.
18. Do not use in rooms that are excessively cold or warm. Air flow can be restricted in rooms with extreme temperatures. This can also place strain on the motor of the purifier. If you feel uncomfortable in the room, your air purifier will not work as well.
19. Reduce the humidity in your home. If you live in a humid climate or have high humidity in your home, you probably have mold or mildew. Reducing the humidity can reduce these spores, allowing your air purifier to work more efficiently.
20. Avoid using toxic products in your home as much as possible. Paints, toxic cleaners, and pest sprays, etc… worsen your air quality which make the purifier work harder.
21. Limit dry cleaning. Dry cleaning uses toxic chemicals. When you dry clean your clothes, you bring some residual chemicals into your home. As stated in the suggestion above, do not bring in heavy chemicals when you can avoid doing so.
22. Keep pets out of your the area you are purifying, especially if you are sensitive to pet dander. Frequent vacuuming can also help to reduce these types of allergens.
23. Do not use the air purifier if the cord becomes damaged. A damaged cord can cause dangerous electrical problems or at least uneven performance.
24. Select the right purifier for your needs. Do you want to reduce germs, dust, pet dander? Or do you suffer from severe asthma? Some air purifiers are designed for asthma suffers, some for allergy sufferers, some for odor reduction. Make sure you are getting what you need.
25. Buy the best air purifier you can afford. The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is really true with air purifiers as well. If you buy an inexpensive unit, you may get less than you hoped for. There are several air purifier reviews online to help you select the best unit in your price range.
Hope this list of the top 25 ways to get more out of your air purifier was useful. Do you have other suggestions? Please post them below.