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 frequently does your air purifier need an air filter replacement? It's recommended that you change your filter every 12 months. If you run your air purifier frequently or are experiencing a lot of indoor air pollution, you may need to change the filter more often.
The more frequently you use your air purifier, the faster the filter will wear out. For homes with high levels of pollutants or for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues, running the purifier continuously may be necessary, which can shorten the filter's lifespan.
That's a minimum number, and means the purifiers would run a minimum of 4-5 years if running them for 6 hours per day. Typically, the motors last much longer. We've seen Smart Air purifiers in use 7 years after they were purchased, still working without issue.
Air purifiers that do not have a good quality cooling system can overheat. This can lead to the motor burning out, which can damage your air purifier. Overheating can cause damage to your device as well as make it less efficient at cleaning the air.
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.
It's perfectly safe to keep the device running continuously, and the amount of energy it consumes is very small.
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.
To best harness your high-quality air purifier's capabilities, make sure to turn on your device daily. Most HEPA air purifiers consume a minimal amount of energy - around 50 to 100 watts of energy every hour based on the airflow speed.
When filters become too clogged, your air purifier might stop working to prevent damage. You can usually spot this issue if the airflow decreases or if you notice visible dirt on the filters. Check and replace your filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
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!
If you have more air purifiers than is necessary, you do stand the chance of over-purifying the air in your home and using more energy than necessary.
For this reason, the equipment can stand in the living room during the day, while in the bedroom at night. 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.
You can rinse the filter in water, tap excess dust off of it or remove some dust with a vacuum, but this can definitely damage the mesh of fibers that allows the filter to remove particles from the air. Even if the filter looks undamaged, some of the fibers will be broken or stretched out.
According to Li, air purifiers are most important for people who are sensitive to particles because they have asthma, allergies to pollen or dust, or cardiovascular issues, as well as children, pregnant people and the elderly.
Some air purifiers have separate filters, so you can clean them individually and buy each one as it needs replacing, but others have an all-in-one filter cartridge which can mean you'll need to replace the entire filter each time.
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.
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.
Recent research by researchers from the University of Reading and the University of Sussex, commissioned by Dyson, has found that using an air purifier can have a positive impact on sleep outcomes.
When used correctly, air purifiers with HEPA filters can effectively reduce dust and other allergens in the air. They may be particularly useful if you're allergic to dust mites or pollen or if allergens trigger your asthma. You can choose from many types of air purifiers.
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.
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.
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.