Keeping the air in your house clean is usually a simple task, but let’s face it, it isn’t always so simple. The benefits of air purifiers are huge, but their use mode of it is complex. Here, we have initiated this blog to inform you how to use an air purifier.
Many people either have or wish to have an air purifier in their homes, but they don’t know how to use it. That’s why we’ve created this article, which will teach you the basics of getting started with a purifier.
How to use an air purifier effectively?
Typically, air purifiers are used in the bedrooms or the living rooms to clean the air quickly and efficiently. However, not all rooms can be cleaned with air purifiers.
For example, if the air purifier is placed in the kitchen, it cannot clean the air. If it is placed in a room frequented by pets, it cannot clean the air efficiently.
Air purifiers are effective only when they’re used properly. The best way to use an air purifier is by strategically placing it in a room and carefully using the device’s features. If you do this, your home will be just as clean—if not cleaner!
Here are some tips for the best possible performance:
1. Place the air purifier in a central location:
Of course, it is not always possible to place an air purifier in the middle of the room. This is often not very practical. But place an air purifier in as central a place as possible. At least 20 cm from a wall or piece of furniture.
2. Read the instructions carefully:
The operation is certainly not complicated as you only have to place the purifier in a room and start it.
However, some particularly advanced latest-generation models have Wi-Fi connections and apps for remote management.
Nevertheless, they are not only equipped with sophisticated sensors that offer detailed information on the composition of the air and the percentage of various pollutants and fine dust.
It would seem to be a big waste to spend considerable amounts and then not exploit 100% of the potential just for not having carefully consulted the manual. Furthermore, in the instructions, you will find important notes for maintenance and filter replacement operations.
3. Always leave the air purifier on:
Only if an air purifier is always on will the air become and remain as clean as possible. Due to the air movement, for example, through an open window, an opening door, or people who move dust is permanently moved again. The air purifier will remove this dust. In addition, when an air purifier is switched off when the air is clean, the air quality decreases again. To keep the air quality optimal, it is important to always leave the air purifier on.
4. Choose the highest setting:
The air purifier makes noise. Therefore, choose to switch on the air purifier at the maximum setting when you are not in the room. If you do go into space and are bothered by the noise, you can lower it.
5. Ventilate but in moderation.
To avoid the dangers of CO2 buildup, it’s important to air out rooms and allow in plenty of fresh oxygen. If you do not have enough ventilation in a room, there will be too much carbon dioxide (CO2). Too much CO2 leads to drowsiness, poor concentration, or focus levels, leading to low blood-oxygen levels that could affect your health.
However, if too much air enters through the ventilation system, then the purifier can’t filter it all out, and it will take too long for the purifier to filter out the excess air.
For example, it is better not to open two windows or one window and a door opposite each other. This can result in an uncomfortable draft. One should instead only open the window on the desired side of your room for optimal cleaning and ventilation results!
6. Perform periodic maintenance;
Like any appliance, the air purifier also needs careful routine maintenance to keep it always efficient. Assuming that the filters are replaced regularly, the interventions you can carry out are not numerous but still crucial for correct operation.
The points to act are the pre-filter and the sensor that monitors the air quality. In the first case, you can eliminate dust and dirt by using compressed air or washing the element with soap and water, avoiding too aggressive detergents.
For drying, you just have to leave it in the open air for the necessary time. As far as the sensor is concerned, a soft cloth and alcohol are sufficient to remove the dust deposited on the surface, altering the readings. While the pre-filter must be cleaned at least once a month, you can operate it every 3/4 months for the sensor.
In clogged filters, do not think it is enough to remove them to eliminate the dust by shaking them or washing them in water to bring them back to their original condition. If you have read the instructions, I would know precisely the correct behaviour as I have repeatedly suggested to you. You will avoid cleaning with water if it is not allowed and which would ruin the filter irreparably.
7. Replace the filters regularly:
The heart of an air purifier is the filtering system, which is more or less complex depending on the model. In entry-level products, the filter could be only one, while in top-of-the-range models, up to three separate elements are provided. As I have already suggested previously, it is essential to consult the manual, where you will find all the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and replacing the filters and the correct procedure for removing and reassembling the various parts.
You may find a pre-filter or a relatively large mesh net with the sole purpose of retaining dust and large particles. In some cases, there is an activated carbon filter to eliminate bad smells.
This element cannot be blown, vacuumed, and even less washed. So, you must replace it approximately every 5/6 months or follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The element that certainly cannot be missing is the HEPA filter which retains the smallest particles up to 0.3 microns in diameter; on average, it has a maximum duration of about one year, but it is a purely indicative value that varies according to the frequency of use and air quality.
8. How to know when it’s time to change filters:
To know when to replace the filters, technology comes to your aid. Usually, a good purifier warns you with specific error codes on the display or app notifications for smart models. Other more essential devices have only simple LEDs to indicate that it is time to intervene. In any case, once the sensor detects the clogged filter, the purifier stops working.
9. Please don’t put it close to any other gadget:
Air purifiers are meant to suck out the bad air and leave you with a clean, better-smelling room. However, if they’re near other products that use a lot of moisture or dryness to function correctly–like humidifiers or dehumidifiers–they’ll end up competing for the same precious resource: your breathable space!
10. Remove the dust sensor lens (if any):
Some air purifiers come with a built-in laser dust sensor that counts the particles in its beam. The lens becomes covered by dirt and debris due to its sensitivity, but you can clean this at least once every month for accurate results from the device. However, in times of pollinating seasons Or wildfire outbreaks, be sure to do so twice monthly!
11. Don’t let it get wet:
If you live in a humid climate, your air purifier may struggle to keep high moisture levels. This can lead to an increase in mold inside and outside of your home.
The last thing anyone wants is for their expensive new gadget or appliance not to be able to do its job because it’s struggling against difficult environmental conditions like humidity – especially if the device has been explicitly designed as a way we might clean our homes!
Please take into account the following factors that affect the operation of the air purifier:
An air purifier will mainly be effective in the room in which it is located. The air quality in rooms connected to the room where the air purifier is located via an (open) doorway will improve to a minimal extent.
An air purifier is not an extractor. Contaminants will not disappear in seconds or minutes. It is sometimes thought that an air purifier, for example, directly extracts and filters/absorbs cigarette smoke. However, this will not be the case that quickly; the air purifier continuously sucks in polluted air and blows clean air into the room so that the air is “mixed” and thus becomes cleaner because less and less polluted air remains.
Sometimes air quality gets worse first and then gets better. Because an air purifier ensures air circulation. This also means that (fine) dust, allergens, and micro-organisms deposited on lying surfaces are swirled up; these are then purified from the air but will first be released into the air for a short time. This is also a reason for our advice not to use an air purifier or use it to a limited extent. But, to let it work longer in one room.
An air purifier does not influence humidity or temperature. We sometimes ask whether the air purifier also dries or humidifies the air, but this is not the case. A litre of water has to be evaporated or condensed from the air to influence the humidity, and an air purifier does not do that. An exception is, of course, air purifiers with built-in humidification. However, the air purifiers do not change the temperature.
Which air purifier should I choose for my room?
There are many factors to consider when attempting to determine which air purifier is best for your needs. Some of these considerations include the size and layout of the room, how frequently it will be used, as well as what types of pollution you intend on cleaning from the atmosphere:
- Under relatively mild conditions, an air purifier with an air throughput of twice the volume of the room in m³ is sufficient, for example, if you want to reduce the amount of dust, or if you live near a highway or industry and want to be sure that the air indoors is clean.
- To combat pet odors or allergy symptoms or if a cigarette or cigar is occasionally smoked, an air purifier with an air throughput of 3.5 times the volume of the room in m³ is recommended.
- Under challenging circumstances, an air purifier with an air throughput of five times the volume of the room in m³ is recommended, for example, in the case of asthma or allergies, severe hay fever, where people smoke regularly, or where the air needs to be very clean for some other reason.
FAQ
1. Should I run an air purifier on all the time?
Not. Studies out there say running your purifier continuously doesn’t remove any more pollutants than switching it on and off every few hours.
However, these studies may not be telling the whole story. For example, while these units don’t seem to do much to improve air quality, we should be aware that these units are rated for a maximum runtime of 10-12 hours per day before they burn out (with some exceptions).
This is why the US government agency, Underwriters Laboratories, requires usage manuals to provide a recommended usage guide of “hours per day”, which then converts to what the unit can be expected to perform at its best in cleaning the surrounding air for 24 hours or less before needing time away from operation.
2. Should I sleep with the air purifier on?
Whether to sleep with an air purifier on or not depends on your personal preference and needs. Air purifiers can help improve the air quality in your bedroom by removing pollutants, allergens, and odors that may affect your sleep quality or trigger respiratory problems. However, some people may find the noise produced by the air purifier disruptive to their sleep.
If you decide to sleep with an air purifier on, make sure it is placed at a safe distance from your bed, ideally a few feet away, and on a stable surface. Also, make sure to choose an air purifier with a quiet fan or a sleep mode that reduces noise. Additionally, you may want to consider using an air purifier with a timer function to turn it off automatically after a certain period or using a separate timer plug to control its operation.
It’s worth noting that some air purifiers, particularly those using ionizers, generate ozone, which can be harmful to your health if inhaled in large amounts. Therefore, make sure to choose an air purifier that is certified ozone-safe by relevant authorities such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
3. Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?
And the reason you can’t find research to support the idea that they work is that it’s qualitative only and not quantitative.
It really is a reflection of our society – people are so sceptical about everything these days. But just turn on your purifier at night, and in the morning, you’ll feel refreshed again! It’s even more powerful when there’s a power outage.
The sound and vibration from an air purifier can help eliminate deep sleep disturbances like brainwaves from delta waves to alpha waves, making for a more restful night of sleep. Granted, after two weeks, your body will have re-adjusted back into your default frequencies, but if they’re off balance, turn on your air.
4. Are air purifiers bad for you?
Air purifiers are not bad for you in general, but they may be if they are a breathing hazard.
The reason: it is essential to make sure that the air purifier does not emit anything toxic into the air. In fact, this is one of the reasons why an asthma doctor may recommend an air purifier.
However, if you don’t already have asthma, then make sure to avoid any particulates or irritants that your air conditioner might accidentally concentrate in its filter (i.e., cigarette smoke) or something else (i.e., mold).
Luckily there are many good options like those with HEPA filters. It will remove virtually all airborne toxins and other pollutants from the room while leaving fresh oxygen.
Conclusion:
We hope that we’ve been able to provide you with some helpful information on how an air purifier can help improve your indoor environment.
