Air purifiers work by circulating air, and they need space to do it. Air purifiers should be at least 6 inches away from walls, doors, or furniture. Running the device in tight spaces or with other items nearby reduces the amount of airflow the device can generate with its intake fan.
It is generally recommended to place an air purifier in the center of the room or area that you want to purify, rather than in a corner or along a wall. This will allow the purifier to more effectively circulate the air and purify it from all directions.
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.
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.
Air purifier floor placement is great for heavier particles like dust and pet hair, while elevated placement offers better coverage for lighter pollutants at breathing levels.
Even with the doors open it will have to work harder to clean both rooms because of the layout of the space. Air purifiers are portable, so it's best to move them around throughout the day and keep them where you're spending the most time.
We recommend elevating it no higher than 5 feet off the ground, and this can be done by placing the air purifier on a piece of furniture, such as a dresser.
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.
The living room is a great room to put a purifier in because it is shared by the entire family. This means that everyone's sensitivities collide there. To keep everyone comfortable, keep the air in this space clean.
Air circulation: If your room has poor air circulation, or is a complex shape (such as an L shape or a long thin shape) then you may benefit from multiple smaller air purifiers to improve ventilation. Two air purifiers placed at different locations in your room may help improve air circulation.
Regardless of where you live, the good news is, air purifiers do not use a lot of electricity to operate.
Is It Safe to Leave an Air Purifier On While You're Away? 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.
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.
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.
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.
Ideally, you want your air purifier to be close to where you're breathing, for the shortest journey between our dual HyperCaptive air filtration system and lungfuls of clean air. Noise won't be an issue.
Ensure your air purifier has enough clearance around it to function optimally. Avoid placing it behind furniture or in tight corners where airflow might be restricted. Ideally, there should be at least 3-5 feet of clear space around the unit to allow for unimpeded air intake and output.
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.
Bottom Line: Should you leave the air purifier on all night? I recommend leaving your purifier on while you sleep. In our bedroom tests, after just 80 minutes, the air was just as dirty as it was before the air purifier was turned on.
Air Purifiers Should Be Placed on the Floor in Most Cases
Most airborne pollutants, including dust, pet dander, and pollen, tend to settle due to their weight, leading to increased pollution in lower indoor areas. So placing the air purifier lower helps capture these pollutants effectively.
The reality is, air purifiers offer an effective option for helping remove particles from the air that circulates in your home. How effective depends on a number of factors, starting with the quality of the air purifier. A high-quality whole-home air purifier filters the air for your entire home.
The energy cost of running an air purifier continuously is surprisingly low. Even a powerful whole house air purifier that covers up to 4,000 sq. ft. can cost just $0.27 a day, and that's when run continuously on the highest setting.
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.
Keep your purifier running
We recommend running air purifiers 24/7 on their highest “quiet” setting—usually medium—or leaving them on their auto mode if they have that feature.
Remember that high-capacity models are typically designed to handle larger spaces, so placing two smaller units in a room may not be as effective as using a single, powerful one. You'll need to consider the air purifier's capacity and match it to the room size before adding additional units.