Bottom Line: How to Clean and Wash a HEPA Filter? Vacuuming HEPAs may improve performance, but the effect is small. Washing HEPAs strongly decreases performance. We do not recommend washing HEPAs.
Vacuuming: You can vacuum your filters to remove some of the surface dust and debris. This can be done every month to help maintain their efficiency.
But even those big-ticket cleaners can't eliminate your exposure to air pollution because the act of vacuuming itself kicks up significant debris, according to Jeffrey Siegel, PhD, a professor at the University of Toronto specializing in building engineering and indoor air quality.
Pre-filters should be gently vacuumed every 1–3 months. Many air purifiers have a pre-filter that captures larger particles like hair and dander before they reach the main filter, protecting your main or carbon filter so it doesn't clog up as quickly. Clean pre-filters frequently, about every 1–3 months.
Yes, air purifiers can help reduce dust in indoor environments. Air purifiers equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective at capturing airborne dust particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency.
Regularly replacing filters and ensuring adequate airflow throughout the room will help reduce dust levels. Additionally, choosing an air purifier with higher CADR ratings for your space size may be necessary to effectively remove particles from the air.
Disadvantages of air purifiers include the cost of purchase and filter replacements and the need for regular maintenance. They may also be ineffective against certain pollutants, like larger particles or gases, depending on the filter type.
However, in general, the duration of use required depends on the size of your space and the amount of indoor pollution (which varies throughout the year). This is why most manufacturers will recommend you to leave your air purifier running all day, especially if it comes equipped with an automatic setting.
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!
Bottom Line: How to Clean and Wash a HEPA Filter? Vacuuming HEPAs may improve performance, but the effect is small. Washing HEPAs strongly decreases performance. We do not recommend washing HEPAs.
Vacuuming can agitate these VOCs, causing them to become airborne. Inadequate ventilation or low-quality vacuum cleaners may fail to capture these volatile particles, allowing them to linger in the air and potentially leading to adverse health effects, including respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.
In addition to the HEPA filtration layer, Dyson purifiers use carbon to absorb gaseous pollution. The activated carbon layer, impregnated with a chemical known as Tris, captures gaseous particles including VOCs and oxidising gases such as NO2.
Using a portable air cleaner and/or upgrading the air filter in your furnace or central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system can help to improve indoor air quality. Portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers or air sanitizers, are designed to filter the air in a single room or area.
Cleaner air can lead to a more stable breathing pattern during sleep, helping you achieve deeper and more restful sleep.
Benefits of Running an Air Purifier All Day
Probably the biggest benefit of keeping an air purifier on at all times is having constant and continual control of airborne pollutants and allergens, which carries numerous other benefits.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
Is it good to use an air purifier every day? Yes! Using an air purifier daily can significantly improve indoor air quality, helping to reduce allergens, dust, and other airborne pollutants.
First, check the system's airflow. A working air purifier features clear, consistent airflow. If the purifier is not blowing out air (easily determined by placing your hand in front of the system), there's likely a problem. If you are unable to hear anything, that's also a sign the purifier isn't working.
Air purifiers help reduce allergens and pollutants, but improper use can have health risks. Overuse of ozone-producing purifiers can irritate the respiratory system. Additionally, if filters are not replaced regularly, purifiers may become less effective, leading to poor air quality.
If you do not want further contaminants from an outside source entering the room while cleaning it with an air purifier, close both windows and doors for maximum effectiveness. But, if they do happen to be left open, the air purifier will clean the new pollutants that enter the room from a window or door, as well.
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.
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.
If you're dealing with mold, mildew, or dust mite issues, a dehumidifier might be the better choice. However, if you're concerned about airborne particles such as pollen, pet dander, or smoke, an air purifier might be more appropriate.