Do air purifiers keep you from getting sick?

Author: Vaughn Medhurst  |  Last update: Friday, January 23, 2026

Will an air cleaner or air purifier help protect me and my family from COVID-19 in my home? When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.

Will an air purifier help with getting sick?

An air purifier can make a big difference in flu prevention, especially during flu season, when the flu virus is in the air due to coughing, sneezing, breathing, and more. All Blueair air purifiers feature HEPASilent™ filtration technology to efficiently remove 99.97% of airborne particles.

Is there a downside to air purifiers?

What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.

Is it okay to sleep in a room with an air purifier?

The short answer: yes. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends an air purifier during bedtime to promote better breathing while you sleep.

Do air purifiers prevent sinus infections?

An air purifier can be a great investment for allergy and sinus sufferers. If you are looking for relief from allergy symptoms or sinus pressure, an air purifier may be able to help. Additionally, an air purifier can also improve your breathing and reduce your risk of getting sick.

Can an Air Purifier Make You Sick? (Cause Headaches, Cough, Sore Throat or Nosebleed?)

Do air purifiers remove viruses from air?

When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.

Are there any proven benefits to air purifiers?

Air filters have a positive impact on vascular health

Air filters reduced indoor fine particle concentrations by 60%. Filtration was associated with a 9.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.9-18%) increase in reactive hyperemia index and a 32.6% (4.4-60.9%) decrease in C-reactive protein.

Should air purifier go on floor or table?

Do not forget about the height of the position of the purifier. Specialists recommend placing the device on the floor, because it is near the ground that there is a higher concentration of pollutants. Setting it on a shelf can significantly reduce the filtration efficiency.

How long does it take for an air purifier to clean the air in a room?

Well, the answer isn't as easy. In a typical home, an effective air purifier starts to deliver clean air within 30 to 60 minutes. But this time changes, depending on several factors such as your room size, the indoor air quality and even the placement of the device.

Does an air purifier consume a lot of electricity?

Running an air purifier typically does not cause a significant increase in electricity bills. Most models consume between 30-70 watts, resulting in a modest monthly cost.

What is the dark side of air purifiers?

Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners

One mechanism of damage results from ozone-olefin reactions, and another from ozone reacting with electron donors (such as glutathione). Inhalation of relatively small amounts of ozone can cause coughing, chest pain, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.

What do doctors say about air purifiers?

Medical professionals suggest prioritizing maintaining a clean home and frequently sanitizing frequently used surfaces. Air purifiers should just be an accessory to your cleaning routine, not a priority.

Do air purifiers actually clean the air?

The reality is, air purifiers offer an effective option for helping remove particles from the air that circulates in your home.

How to avoid getting sick when everyone in your house is?

6 ways to stay healthy when everyone else is sick
  1. Wash those hands. Hand hygiene is crucial to staving off germs. ...
  2. Avoid touching your face. Most upper respiratory infection viruses are spread through mucosal membranes (think eyes and nose in particular). ...
  3. Snooze. ...
  4. Eat your vitamins. ...
  5. Mind your manners. ...
  6. Keep it to yourself.

What are the side effects of air purifiers?

Specific effects may include throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infections. Some ozone air purifiers are made with an ion generator, sometimes called an ionizer, in the same unit. You can also buy ionizers as separate units.

Do plug-in air purifiers work?

Yes. However, no air cleaning device or filter can eliminate all of the air pollutants in your home. Position it well: If you just have one unit, put it in the room where you spend the most time.

Where is the best place to put an air purifier?

Quick Tips: Air Purifiers in the Home

Keep your device away from heat sources. Keep your device away from moisture or areas with high humidity. Place your device at least 6 inches from walls, furniture, or other items while in use. Place your air purifier near the most likely source of indoor air pollution.

Should I run my air purifier all day?

Many people think that switching it off during the night or when they're not present is a logical energy-saving measure, but it is recommended to keep it running constantly. Once you turn off your air purifier, the air quickly becomes contaminated again with mold, dust, dander, and other pollutants present in the air.

Can one air purifier clean an entire house?

When an efficient, effective, safe unit is selected, whole house air purifiers: Offer air purification without “boundaries” – they clean the air in your entire home. Eliminate the need for multiple air purifiers around the house. Provide air purification without taking up space in the living area of the house.

Do you need to dust less with an air purifier?

While air purifiers are effective at removing the majority of the offending allergens from a single room, they do not take away all the airborne particles, Dr. Alana Biggers-Walker, associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, told Live Science.

Should the room be closed when the air purifier is on?

Air purifiers work the best when they are used in confined spaces such as closed rooms. You can open the doors and windows for proper ventilation and a supply of fresh air during the day. However, make sure that you close the doors and windows when you use the air purifier.

Do you need ventilation if you have air purifier?

In principle, installing a ventilation system and/or an air purifier will relieve you of the need to air your home, but an additional supply of fresh air may still be useful in some cases: When you have just used paint, glue or other chemicals in your home.

Do air purifiers use a lot of electricity?

Room air cleaners are portable, electric appliances that remove fine particles, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air. A standard room air cleaner, operating continuously, uses approximately 450 kWh per year in electricity. This is more than the energy used by some new refrigerators!

Can an air purifier help with mold?

Mold is an obvious health risk in any home, but investing in an air purifier can help limit your exposure. The best among them will ideally offer HEPA-level filtration, with this level of filtration being able to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter.

Why do I breathe better with air purifier?

“By filtering out fine particles, purifiers help clean the air you breathe and lessen the potential negative effects of pollution,” says Dr. Taliercio. “Purifiers have been shown to alter the blood chemistry in a way that may benefit heart health, too.”

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