Should I leave my air purifier on when I'm on vacation?

Author: Jamarcus Wisozk  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Yes, it's safe to leave the purifier running when you're not home.

Is it okay to leave the air purifier on while on vacation?

Leaving an air purifier on while you're away from home is generally considered safe, as most modern air purifiers are designed for continuous operation. These devices are specifically built to maintain air quality over long periods, removing dust, allergens, and other pollutants from the air.

When should I turn off the air purifier?

Optimally, air purifiers should be left on long enough to filter through as much air as possible. You won't achieve significantly clean air if you run it only for an hour or two, so keep it on as long as possible. When you switch it off, the air circulates naturally, allowing new contaminants to come in.

Should I run my air purifier when I'm not home?

If you're out the house there's no benefit to leaving the air purifier on, unless you have pets who need it. Leaving air purifiers on when you're out the house can be a waste of energy because even a room with all the doors and windows closed will get dirty again in minutes and will get clean again in minutes.

Should air purifiers be left on all the time?

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.

Should I Leave My Air Purifier On All The Time?

Do air purifiers run up your electric bill?

Regardless of where you live, the good news is, air purifiers do not use a lot of electricity to operate.

Is it okay to never turn off an air purifier?

While it is generally recommended to leave your purifier on continuously, there are instances in which running the purifier at all may present a safety hazard such as: Ozone purifiers: The EPA advices against using any purifier that generates ozone indoors when people are present.

What are the side effects of HEPA air purifier?

Headaches, sore throat, coughing, Asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing are a few of the symptoms that can be brought on by some air purifiers. Yes, that's right. Your air purifier may actually aggravate many of the health issues you hoped it would solve.

How long does it take an air purifier to clean a house?

In a typical home environment, an effective air purifier can start to reduce these pollutants within 30 to 60 minutes. Noticeable improvements in air quality are often observed within a few hours, with significant reductions occurring over 24 hours of continuous use.

Where is the best place to put an air purifier?

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. Consider investing in an air purifier that shuts off automatically with a timer.

Can you leave an air purifier running 24-7?

Yes, we recommend running your air purifier 24/7, depending on the season, or your needs.

Does 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.

Do air purifiers remove dust?

Air purifiers assist in eliminating household dust by helping to clean and purify the air in the home. Dyson's advanced purification machines are engineered with technology that traps dust before it settles on your furniture and floors. Dyson purifiers capture 99.95% of dust and ultrafine particles1.

When should I turn off my air purifier?

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.

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.

Can you travel with an air purifier?

Tips for Traveling with an Air Purifier

If you want to bring your own personal air purifier along on your next trip, there are a few important tips that you should follow: Consider the size and weight: Opt for a portable air purifier that is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry during your travels.

Can an air purifier clean a whole house?

A whole-house air purifier is an air filtration system that is installed in the HVAC system of a house to clean the air in the entire home. These systems clean indoor air by using a filtration system that circulates the air from your HVAC system and removes pollutants such as allergens, dust and pet dander.

What is the lifespan of an air purifier?

The lifespan of an air purifier can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the device, frequency of use, maintenance, and the type of filtration system it employs. On average, air purifiers can last between 5 to 10 years.

How to tell if an air purifier is effective?

To test a whole-home air purifier, you must make the space smell. Cook the smelliest food you can think of, let the wet dog indoors, or burn potent incense that produces a noticeable odor. Then, turn the HVAC system fan on and notice as the odor dissipates. That is proof the air purifier is working.

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.

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.

Can an air purifier dry out a room?

Do air purifiers help with humidity? No, because these appliances only eliminate contaminants from the air and not moisture. Running an air purifier on humid days will not help reduce moisture. If the air is already dry, having a running fan can make it feel worse.

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!

Should an air purifier be on the floor or table?

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. An important issue is also where not to place the air purifier.

How long does a room stay clean after an air purifier?

When you have a large indoor space, you may need to run the air purifier longer. But after you run the air purifier on its highest setting for an hour or two, you may its lowest speed. This will help keep the air clean all day. As mentioned above, you may run the machine all night without any worries.

Previous article
What is the best alternative to white spirit for cleaning brushes?
Next article
What is the best oil to finish maple wood with?